(Limerick East): The draft health insurance regulations provide that, in respect of non-emergency treatment for a psychiatric condition, alcoholism, drug or other substance abuse, an insurer may require a hospital consultant to provide a statement outlining the proposed treatment programme for the insured person prior to admitting the insured person to hospital. It will be a matter for each insurer to decide whether it wishes to require such a statement. The draft regulations set out the framework within which competition can operate in the health insurance market.
A requirement for pre-certification of non-emergency psychiatric treatment by health insurers is a common feature in countries outside of Ireland and it would not be appropriate to deny insurance companies the means by which they can control their costs. Many health insurers abroad either no longer offer cover for treatment for these illnesses or, if they do so, offer greatly reduced level of cover.