HSE charge for admission

My son was taken ill on a bus and an ambulance was called. He gave the hospital his VHI number.

He's 21 and it was his first time in hospital (hopefully his last attendance for another 21 years). He is a student with zero income. Neither does he have a medical card. So, he was invoiced for €100 and I paid.

This is a statutory requirement for attending A&E without a GP referral. I get it, lets stop people unnecessarily using A&E. But, the hospital will surely invoice the VHI for exams etc. which they wouldn't do for non VHI insured. So, WHY would any person with VHI insurance give their insurance details if they will not get any benefit from it?

Surely the government could have at least one A&E visit per year FOC if no Medical card. As it stands I'll be advising anyone not to bother the Public Hospitals with your medical insurance details if you find yourself in A&E.

Charles Babbage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058251549/hse-charge-for-admission

Absolutely do not offer any private nsurance details until the hospital offers you something that you are not going to get otherwise.

However, the government have announced some reduction in hospital charges from next year. THis may not include the the A&E though, as having GP fees and a free A&E might lead to irresponsible behaviour by some.

Space Dog

Whenever I have attended A&E without a GP letter I paid the A&E charge upfront and then claimed the money back from VHI (with my plan I get back 75%).

Do you not claim after attending a hospital visit with your policy?

I never give out my private insurance details in a public hospital, only in a private hospital. There's no point since you probably won't get a semi-private (nevermind private) room in a public hospital anyway. Or get transferred to a ward at all...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119242914#Comment_119242914

Hah! I never thought of that. (I've now reclaimed a balled up invoice from the thrash bin 🤣) I may need to wait for a receipt in the post. But, thanks... yeah. I've three "kids" and two adults on our VHI policy. He did what he thought was right at the time, but he'll be the wiser going forward if needed (hopefully not). We're silly really we've been lazy not claiming GP visit fees either.

Thanks a million for your advice, well, €75 anyway 😉

Wanderer78

ill people with no means to pay, hardly rock up to a&e without gp referral, possible due to having little or no access to gp services, or poor gp services?

Sam Russell

As for any Gov charges, or pay outs, know the rules and follow them. Some are almost at the level of secrets.

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243096#Comment_119243096

They would have a medical card.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243096#Comment_119243096

I can't make sense of what you're trying to say here. This may be down to my comprehension ability 😀

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243120#Comment_119243120

would all cases be as such, i wonder?

something doesnt sit right with me in regards charging for access to services, i understand the logic of such charges, but are there any gray areas at all, where someone would fall through?

thefallingman

Happy your son is ok and I’m sure he was well looked after, worth the 100euro in my opinion

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243096#Comment_119243096

Going straight to A+E seems to be common round here depending on the issue

Sardonicat

Presumably he was taken to A&E on the basis that qualified paramedics made the clinical decision he required the assessment and attention of a Doctor in ED? That should be enough to waive the €100 fee, IMO.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243270#Comment_119243270

...oh im sure its common enough alright, as im fairly sure some who dont qualify for supports, such as some on the average industrial wage, or lower, simply cant afford a visit to the gp, and/or the admission fee, im sure it occurs more often than we d like to admit!

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243286#Comment_119243286

It's because people make an assumption they'll need hospital treatment so skip the GP altogether

The out of hours service were in the habit of referring you to hospital for minor issues so wasn't worth travelling to them

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243206#Comment_119243206

If someone doesn't have a medical card, and has no immediate means to pay they will be treated and billed the €100.

I have no doubt the HSE would accept €5 per week for 20 weeks if necessary.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243329#Comment_119243329

...so what if people cant even afford that, baring in mind our current deteriorating situation?

thefallingman

I had to go to a and e last week in tallaght, 13 hour wait in a waiting room with drunks bashing each other but once I got seen the staff were great and helped me, it was well worth the 100euro considering a doctors appointment is 60, that’s the real rip off imo

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243384#Comment_119243384

There's a community welfare officer for people like that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243206#Comment_119243206

I was about to say the same thing. No one is turned away from A&E for not having the money up front.

Which is also why many who would otherwise go to the GP go to A&E - as they know they'll be seen by a doctor and can pay the money later.

(My GP charges full fee for appointment at time of booking by card over the phone - even if the appointment is two weeks in the future. No appointment will be given without payment).

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243444#Comment_119243444

so theres definitely welfare supports for all in these types of situations, including people on reasonably good wages?

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243475#Comment_119243475

People on reasonably good wages need to prioritise their spending.

mumo3

@Amari Obnoxious Tinder I hope your son is ok.... In relation to the A&E fee it drives me mental, but scrapping those charges will make no difference because A&E is clogged up by people who aren't paying that fee anyway.

If I can, I just head to the local private hospital, my kids have had xrays and cast and after insurance it cost me €180 and we where in and out in less than 2 hours.... my other option is save €80 in public A&E but give up 8/10 hours of my life!!

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243518#Comment_119243518

....hahaha you gotta love it, so if you cant afford your rent, mortgage, escalating costs of living, health care needs, etc etc, its your problem! thats the solution!

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243536#Comment_119243536

Who's problem should it be?

The community welfare officer is there as a last resort.

Their payments are strictly means tested, and rightly so.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243475#Comment_119243475

No, not really.

Anyone can apply for an Additional or Exceptional Needs payment, but whether assistance is granted is decided by the CWO on a case by case basis. There is no automatic entitlement to assitance and no guarantee of any payment. It's based entirely on circumstances.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243273#Comment_119243273

I never thought of that.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243561#Comment_119243561

...if some citizens are simply unable to provide themselves with some of their most critical needs such as adequate health care services, its a everybody's problem!

once again, what if some simply cannot afford this, and do not qualify for such supports, what happens to them?

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243987#Comment_119243987

They will have been treated.

The HSE will look for their money.

You can't get blood from a stone.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243996#Comment_119243996

...but again, what if they dont simply have the money, are simply unable to come up with it?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119243987#Comment_119243987

The bill will be referred to a debt collector.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119244067#Comment_119244067

...and what if they cant afford that, is this method truly functional, is it a truly morally and ethically correct way to run and manage our health system?