Limerick East): During the period from 1992 to 1994, my Department centrally negotiated with the Voluntary Health Insurance Board a level of reimbursement for public health agencies in respect of VHI members. This was appropriate at the time in the light of changes in eligibility arising from the Health (Amendment) Act, 1991. My Department is no longer involved in such arrangements.
The determination of payment levels is a matter for negotiation and agreement between the VHI Board and the health boards. It would not be appropriate for me, as the regulator of health insurance, to express views on the matter.