Liam Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department will instruct the VHI to sanction the cost of MRI and CAT scan examinations on patients referred by general practitioners to radiology units directly and not to have the cost cover only available for patients referred by consultants as is the present position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10005/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Voluntary Health Insurance Acts, the day to day operation of health insurance contracts offered by VHI Healthcare are, firstly, a matter for the company. Therefore, as Minister for Health and Children, I do not have any statutory or administrative role in such operations, when such contracts comply with the provisions of the Health Insurance Acts and related regulations.

Following inquiries, VHI Healthcare has indicated to me that it pays out over €10 million per year for MRI scans. It is the largest private healthcare benefit provider for this technology in Ireland. The matter of insurance cover for MRI scans is currently being reviewed by VHI. The issue of referral for MRI scans is being included as part of this review.