Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason, in relation to the number of people who successfully appealed their offer under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006, they were initially offered a lower amount if they had an clear entitlement to a higher payment as proven by their successful appeal. [18348/08]

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

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator K.P.M.G. and McCann Fitzgerald.

The HSE has advised my Department that there are a number of reasons for successful appeals where initially a lower amount had been offered and a higher amount was issued on appeal.

The HSE has advised my Department that in some cases it is because applicants bring forward additional relevant information during the appeals process which would not have been in the possession of the scheme administrator when processing the original claim. In other cases either the records contained information in relation to the payee rather than the patient. In a very small number of cases, the absence of official records with regard to patient stays which created challenges for the processing of claims have been resolved through the appeals mechanism.

As of 2 May, 11,108 claimants are deemed to be outside the scope of the repayment scheme and of these, 2,285 have appealed the decision of the scheme administrator. 13,578 offers of payment have issued under the scheme and of these, 650 have appealed the amount offered. A total of 2,935 appeals have been lodged, which represents approximately 12% of processed claims.

Of the 1,293 appeals dealt with to 9 May, 122 of the decisions issued by the appeals office disagree with the scheme administrator's decision to reject the claim and 171 disagree with the amount offered by the scheme administrator.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the expected time frame for the repayment of moneys due under the terms of the Health Repayment Act 2006; if individual enquiries can be made regarding repayments; and the office available for enquiries on this issue. [18374/08]

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

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator K.P.M.G. and McCann Fitzgerald.

The HSE has advised my Department that the scheme administrator has given assurances that the vast majority of claims submitted by the public will be dealt with within the two year timeframe allotted for the scheme which is due to end in June 2008.

The HSE has advised my Department that if there are any outstanding claims at the end of June 2008, such claims will be kept to an absolute minimum and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Inquiries can be made by phoning 1890 886 886 or any correspondence should be addressed to Health Repayment Scheme, PO Box 330, Tralee, Co. Kerry.