Health insurance providers operate in a competitive market and are free to impose certain terms and conditions on their policies, providing they comply with the Health Insurance Act, 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations, 1996. The regulations ensure that all consumers obtain a minimum level of health insurance cover regardless of what plan they purchase and that every plan available is inclusive of a minimum suite of benefits/procedures.
As the Minister for Health, I have no role to play in the commercial decisions of any health insurer and am therefore not in a position to determine or direct insurers to provide cover for any particular procedure or service, other than those outlined in the regulations.