Tom McEllistrim (Kerry North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 472: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has lived here for the past 10 years has been refused the approval of financial cover for their cancer treatment here due to the fact that they started the treatment in the UK and because of technical difficulties in managing their health care here the doctor has confirmed that their cancer is now progressing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14959/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At present private health insurers are entitled to apply an initial waiting period of 26 weeks in respect of persons aged under 55, 52 weeks in respect of those aged between 55 and 64, and 104 weeks for persons aged 65 and over before private health insurance cover becomes effective. In addition, insurers are entitled to apply longer waiting periods in relation to pre-existing conditions. Allowing insurers discretion to apply these waiting periods is a necessary protection in a community rated open enrolment environment.

Without knowing the full circumstances of this case I would also advise the Deputy of the individual's statutory entitlement to public hospital and public consultant services in Ireland which are primarily based on residency and means. Therefore, any person, regardless of nationality, who is accepted by the Health Services Executive as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to health services as a public patient.