Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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461. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a hospital bill in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49529/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Act 1970 provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services and out-patient public hospital services. Persons can opt to be treated privately on admission to a public hospital, in which case they are liable for the consultants fees and hospital charges arising for that episode of care, whether paid for by the patient or by a health insurer on their behalf. It is important that a person seeking private healthcare is satisfied as to their level of cover and individuals should carefully review their private health insurance requirements when taking out, renewing, or before seeking to make a claim on their medical insurance. This includes which hospitals are covered under which plans. If an insurance provider has not resolved an issue to a person’s satisfaction, they can also refer the matter to the Financial Services Ombudsman. The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman is an independent officer who investigates complaints of customers about financial services. Details of how to make a complaint are available at: www.fspo.ie.