Vol. 403 No. 1
207 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health if he has had discussions with the VHI in relation to cover given to patients (details supplied) in County Clare, in cases such as operations for the removal of gall bladders; and his views on whether these patients should receive VHI cover.
The case referred to by the Deputy relates to an individual who, after being discharged following treatment in an acute hospital, gained admission for a period to another acute medical centre and subsequently sought reimbursement of the cost from the Voluntary Health Insurance Board. Medical information available indicate that at the time he entered the second acute hospital all the individual required was a period of convalescence. Under its rules, the VHI will only reimburse the cost of convalescence in a participating convalescent/nursing home. Unfortunately, the hospital concerned is not in this category and the VHI has, therefore, refused reimbursement of the expenses incurred in this case.
