Irish Life Health has joined Laya Healthcare in opposing claims by the HSE concerning the payment of charges for the treatment of private patients in public hospitals. In proceedings against Laya, the HSE maintains, that once a private patient being treated in a public hospital opts to receive private care, the patient or insurer becomes liable for the payment of charges incurred for the entire duration of their stay in the public hospital. The HSE claims Laya is incorrect in maintaining private patients are to be treated at public patient rates until the patient signs a Private Insurance Patient (PIP) form, electing to be treated as a private patient. The HSE maintains the Health Act allows it to charge patients as private patients where there is an election to be treated as a private patient for the entirety of their stay in a hospital. The HSE also claims Laya has wrongfully asserted a right to recover money allegedly overpaid to it between 2014 and 2016.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2019 15:22 UTC