asked the Minister for Health if his Department have any regulations which provide for the payment in full for a person in a general ward in a general hospital who is a holder of a medical card; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NorthEastern Health Board are charging in full for this service.
Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.
243.
Medical card holders are, in general, entitled to free public ward accommodation, but exceptions to this can arise in certain circumstances.
Firstly, persons in receipt of in-patient services for more than 30 days within a 12-month period may be liable for charges under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976 (S.I. No. 180 of 1976), as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1987 (S.I. No. 300 of 1987). While these charges do not apply to persons with full eligibility, a person categorised as such while living at home may be regarded as outside that category while maintained in a hospital. The determination of a person's eligibility category is, under section 17 (4) of the Health Act, 1970, a function of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board.
In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's circumstances. Allowance is made for any outgoings, and a reasonable amount of the person's income is left for personal needs. Where a person has dependants, the charges do not apply.
Secondly, road traffic accident victims who are entitled to receive compensation for their injuries are also liable for charges, regardless of their category of eligibility, under the Health (Amendment) Act, 1986. These charges, which are based on the cost of providing the service, are only payable if and when compensation is received.