Vol. 540 No. 1
268 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has entered into negotiations with the VHI regarding lifting the ban on the registration of new nursing homes for a three year period; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many people on nursing home waiting lists and that the VHI is not covering some of these homes for convalescence care after surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19832/01]
The position is that the Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act, 1996, gives explicit powers to the VHI board in relation to entering into, or refusing to enter into, agreements with health service providers for the treatment and care of its members. Similarly, the regulatory framework covering health insurance business generally provides for insurers to determine the service providers in respect of whom benefits are payable for the treatment and care of members under their plans.
The VHI, therefore, is entitled to determine which nursing homes it will cover for the purpose of providing convalescent care for members. Private health insurance does not cover long-term nursing care. The VHI provides cover towards the cost of convalescent home charges for up to 14 days, as required by the private health insurance regulatory framework, in approved convalescent homes listed in its directory of convalescent homes.
In view of the foregoing, the question of my entering negotiations on the matter of nursing homes recognition for benefit payment purposes by VHI, or any other insurer, does not arise.
Question No. 269 answered with Question No. 254.
Question No. 270 answered with Question No. 253.
