asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the VHI do not pay out hospital expenses incurred by the victims of personal injuries inflicted by criminals; if he will request the VHI to change their rules in order to pay legitimate medical expenses on account, pending payment to the victims by the Criminal Injuries Tribunal.
Written Answers - VHI Hospital Expenses.
33.
I am aware that the Voluntary Health Insurance Board do not pay for medical and hospital expenses in cases where a claim is being made under the Criminal Injuries Act. They did so in the past on the understanding that they would be reimbursed if the claim were successful. Subsequently they found that claims for such expenses were being disallowed by the tribunal because they had been paid by the board.
They have also received legal advice that payment of accounts for medical and hospital expenses by the board could jeopardise their members' chances of successfully pursuing claims before the tribunal.
As this is primarily a matter for the board to determine I do not propose to intervene.