Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

874. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of the charges or co-payments which may apply to persons using the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33316/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is a range of statutory charges applying to persons using the public health service.

Medical card holders are required to pay a €2.50 charge (per item) for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to certain exemptions. In addition, under the Health Services (Out-Patient) Regulations 1993, the HSE may levy a charge on private patients for the use of an MRI machine in a public hospital.

Under the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations 1987 (as amended) public in-patients in public hospitals are liable to a €75 per day charge subject to a maximum of €750 in any 12 consecutive months, subject to certain exemptions. Under the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 private in-patients in public hospitals are subject to charges that range from €329 to €1,000 per day. The charge levied depends on whether accommodation is provided in a single or multiple occupancy room and if overnight accommodation is provided.

As required by the Health (Amendment) Act 1986, where a hospital is informed that the patient, their personal representative or a dependent is pursuing a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) claim, billing data is generated on the local billing system. Invoices can be raised for an RTA related in-patient or out-patient charge depending on the services provided at the hospital.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support to those in need of long-term residential care. Participants contribute towards the cost of their care in accordance with their means. Participants contribute up to 80% of relevant income and up to 7.5% per annum of the value of relevant assets. This applies to a principal private residence for three years only.

Under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005-2011, charges apply for in-patient services other than for acute hospital care and for long-term residential care services supported under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal). Under these Regulations, the HSE and agencies providing services on its behalf, must apply charges (subject to certain exemptions) to all those who receive inpatient services for longer than 30 days over a rolling 12 month period. Charges apply whether or not the person has full or limited eligibility. The level of the charges is based on income and cannot exceed 80% of the weekly non-contributory State pension. The regulations currently provide for a maximum charge of €175 per week where inpatient care is provided in a setting with 24-hour nursing care or a maximum of €130 per week where inpatient care is provided in other settings. The charging legislation provides that the HSE may reduce or waive charges where necessary to avoid financial hardship, having regard to individual financial circumstances (including whether there are dependants).