Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2017
99. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the reason contraception is not available through health insurance; if he has discussed this matter with health insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27898/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Minimum Benefit Regulations, 1996, all health insurance products that provide cover for in-patient hospital treatment must provide a certain minimum level of benefits. The key purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the continued availability of the type of broad hospital cover traditionally held as a minimum by the insured population and to ensure that individuals do not significantly under-insure.
The regulations protect consumers by requiring insurers to offer a minimum set of benefits to every insured person. Insurers are free to design and sell private health insurance plans, providing the plans comply with the minimum benefits regulations. I have no role to play in commercial decisions taken by health insurers when determining whether to provide cover for any particular procedure or treatment, other than those already outlined in the regulations.
