Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Health the rate of hospital charges inpatient, outpatient and accident and emergency in 2011; the categories of patient required to pay hospital charges; the changes in charges that will take place in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40249/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The current statutory public in-patient charge is €75 per day subject to a maximum of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months. This charge is payable by all public patients subject to exemptions specified in regulation, which include medical card holders, amongst others. There are no plans to increase these charges for 2012.

The private/semi private accommodation charges for private in-patients in public hospitals for 2011 are set out below. I will shortly announce increases for 2012.

These charges are in addition to a statutory in-patient charge for private patients in public hospitals of €75 in respect of each day during which a person is maintained, subject to the maximum payment in any 12 consecutive months of €750.

The current statutory out-patient charge ( i.e. the A&E charge) is €100 per visit. Again this charge is payable by all patients subject to specified exemptions which include medical card holders, those presenting with a letter of referral from a G.P. and those admitted directly through A&E, amongst others. Private patients are also liable to a charge for the use of MRI in public hospitals, currently set at a maximum of €400. There are no plans to change these charges in 2012.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Health the anticipated income from statutory inpatient, outpatient and accident and emergency charges in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40250/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Health Service Executive that the total anticipated income from statutory and voluntary hospitals in respect of inpatient and accident and emergency charges in 2011 is estimated at €37,147,270. The public hospital statutory in-patient charge is currently €75 per day up to a maximum of €750 in any twelve consecutive months during which an individual is maintained as an in-patient in a public hospital or is admitted as a day-case. This charge is subject to a number of exemptions, in particular, it does not apply to persons with full eligibility (medical cards). The current charge for attendance at Emergency Departments (A&E) is €100 per visit subject to certain exemptions, in particular, persons with full eligibility (medical cards) and persons with a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner. No other charges are applicable in relation to public outpatient services.

The anticipated income in 2011 is set out in the table below.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Health the meetings he has held with members of the health insurance industry in relation to changes in charges announced in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40251/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Secretary General of my Department met with representatives of the three insurers on the day of the Government announcement relating to changes to bed charges for public hospitals. Following on from this I met yesterday with the three commercial insurers, Aviva Health, Quinn Healthcare and Vhi Healthcare. They have agreed to set up a Health Insurance Consultative Forum to tackle issues of mutual concern.

The meeting resulted in clear agreement that all would work cooperatively in driving down costs related to health insurance. There was agreement too that savings could be achieved in terms of services provided by both public and private hospitals.

I indicated that I was happy to hear any proposals from the insurance companies which would result in lower costs for the health insurance sector.

In recent days the issue of a possible rise in costs of health insurance premiums has been widely reported. I made clear to the health insurers that I believe significant savings can still be made, the effect of which can be to minimise the need for such increases.

The Health Insurance Consultative Forum will also provide the participating parties with an opportunity to consider issues related to Government moves to implement its policy of Universal Health Insurance. The Government has made clear that the future delivery of health services under UHI will require competing insurance companies driving efficient, cost effective delivery of high quality health care. The forum will allow the insurance companies consult with the Department of Health on many significant changes on the road to the full implementation of Universal Health Insurance.