Clare Daly
Ceist:743. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a VHI policy was used to pay a consultant who did not in fact visit or tend to the patient in any way. [22340/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 May 2014
Ceisteanna (743)
Freagraí scríofa
VHI issues a Statement of Benefit to each customer detailing the payments made by VHI on their behalf, and urging the customer to be vigilant when examining their claims statements to ensure that there are no anomalies. Customers are advised to contact VHI's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) if they think that there is a mistake on their statement or if VHI has been charged for accommodation or treatments not received. The SIU team at VHI is dedicated to ensuring that incidences of error or overcharging by healthcare providers are fully investigated and rectified.
Where an error has been identified, VHI notifies the provider in question and deducts the monies involved directly from the provider. The provider is also asked to ensure that their processes are amended to prevent any recurrence. If there are a number of queries or repeat occurrences of anomalies with a particular hospital or service provider, an audit is conducted to identify the extent of the practice, the level of monies to be repaid to VHI, and the redesign of processes to prevent any reoccurrence of inappropriate billing.
I understand that the case referred to by the Deputy was investigated by the VHI in accordance with its procedures for handing such complaints.