HSE owed €164 million in hospital charges

The HSE was owed around €164 million in uncollected charges from insurers in respect of private patients treated in 24 public hospitals at the end of last year, according to a new report from the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The Comptroller, in his latest annual report, said around 50% of patients being treated privately in public hospitals are not charged for their accommodation.

The report also reveals that less than 10 per cent of people listed as waiting longest for elective treatment in hospital are available for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) scheme.

[Posted: Sat 12/09/2009]