Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
1174. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce bed re-designation in 2013; if this proposal must be approved by Cabinet; if it will require primary legislation; his views on the VHI's claims that it will result in a 45% increase in health insurance premiums; the discussions he has had with private insurers in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48638/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA system of bed designation has been in place in public hospitals since the 1990s. Under this system, most beds are either designated as public beds or private beds: there is a small number of non-designated beds, such as those in Intensive Care Units.
Under the current framework, private in-patients who occupy public beds in public hospitals are not levied the daily maintenance charge, which ranges from €586 to €1,046 in most public hospitals.
The Comptroller and Auditor General reported in 2010 that 45% of in-patients treated privately by their consultants were not charged for their maintenance costs because they were not occupying designated private beds.
As part of Budget 2012, I announced that I intended to bring forward legislation to provide for the charging of all private patients in public hospitals, irrespective of whether they occupied a public or a private bed. In view of the significant potential cost implications for private health insurers, I subsequently indicated that I would be prepared to postpone implementation of the legislation until 2013 provided that the funds targeted for the current year were raised through a system of improved cashflow from the private insurers. Arrangements for this improved cashflow have now been agreed with the insurers, and the legal details are being finalised.
In relation to charging all private patients in public beds, the issue will be dealt with as part of the budgetary process for 2013. I will being legislative proposals to Government on the matter in due course.
I am committed to keeping the cost of health insurance premia as low as possible. With this in mind, my Department is working closely with the four health insurers, through Consultative Forum on Health Insurance. The objective is to minimise costs, while always respecting competition law.
