asked the Minister for Health the charges, if any, which are levied and the basis on which they are levied on patients who are medical cardholders and/or old age pensioners in long/short stay accommodation in the various hospitals operated by the Eastern Health Board; whether there is a discrepancy in the manner and amount of such charges as operated by different health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Health Board Charges.
89.
Medical card holders who are in receipt of hospital in-patient services as public patients are not normally liable for a charge.
Persons in receipt of in-patient services for at least thirty days within a twelvemonth period may be liable for charges under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976 as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1987. While these charges do not apply to persons with full eligibility, a person categorised as such while living at home may in certain circumstances be regarded as outside that category while maintained in an institution.
Persons who are in receipt of institutional assistance in long-stay hospitals and homes may also be required to contribute towards the cost of their maintenance. The basis for these charges is the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1954 as amended by the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965. Medical card holders are also liable to make this contribution. As far as possible these charges are made from the date of admission.
The amount to be contributed in any particular case is a matter for the appropriate health board. In deciding the amount to be contributed health boards have regard to the person's circumstances. Allowance is made for any outgoings the person may have e.g. dependent relatives, rent, mortgage, insurance premiums etc, and a reasonable amount is left to the person for personal needs. The following is the general procedure in the different health boards: Eastern, South Eastern and Midland, 75 per cent of income, after out-goings, is taken and 25 per cent is left to the patient for personal needs; Southern Health Board, 80 per cent for maintenance, after out-goings — 20 per cent for personal needs; North Western Health Board, patient retains £7.50 a week; Western Health Board, Patient retains £8.50 a week; North Eastern Health Board, Patient retains £12 a week; Mid-Western Health Board, Patient retains £13 a week.
The above figures are general guidelines. Each individual case is assessed separately. The actual amount allowed to a patient for personal needs varies depending on the circumstances of the individual.
Note: Patients receiving treatment arising from a road traffic accident may be liable for special charges if they are entitled to receive compensation from a third party. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 149 on 31 January 1989 in which the basis for these charges is explained.