VHI pays more than €930m for treatments

VHI Healthcare paid out more than €930 million, or €4m every working day, in insurance claims in just 12 months.

Statistics released by the health insurer for claims in the year up to February 2007 showed one of its 1.57 million members received €221,000 and its top 20 claims were all more than €100,000.

The total payout was up 5% on the previous year. VHI blamed the increase on an increase in the cost of medication and technology.

It paid out €144m for 73,300 cancer treatment claims, €116m towards 41,800 heart and cardiac treatment claims, and €98m for 60,800 orthopaedic claims.

“One of the most significant trends is the increased usage of high-cost cancer drugs,” the company said.

“This is an area which is leading to better patient outcomes. However, it does come at a cost.”

Breast cancer drug Herceptin was the most expensive with €5,203,321 paid out to 1,863 members requiring it at an average of €2,793 per claim.

Bowel cancer drug Avastin was also expensive with €4,662,878 paid out on behalf of 2,171 members, an average of €2,148 per claim.

The most expensive drug per claim treats lymphatic cancer. Claims for Mabthera were paid out to 831 members at €3,304 per claim.

VHI revealed that €17.7m was spent on the treatment of alcoholism and it paid out more than €25m in claims resulting from accidents or injuries, including €8.74m for domestic accidents and €3.3m for sports injuries.

On a more positive note, €36.4m was spent on the delivery of approximately 15,000 babies.

Overall, for every euro spent by the public on VHI insurance policies, 91c is paid out in claims, a company spokeswoman said.

Dr Bernadette Carr, VHI medical director, said: “These figures clearly show that the cost of providing the very best healthcare available comes at a high price.

“Cancer-related illnesses remain the number one condition which treatment is provided for, and many of the high-cost drugs which are increasingly being used relate specifically to this area.

“While these treatments are expensive they can prolong the overall survival rates for our members and often allow them to continue with normal lifestyles between day care admissions for treatments.”

The company has also released figures showing how it has negotiated cheaper costs for its patients for private treatments.

These include:

Knee replacement — VHI price €16,074; price in Britain €17,675.

Hip replacement — VHI price €11,626; price in Britain €11,700 to €14,663.

Gall bladder removal — VHI price €5,004; price in Britain €6,849.

Cardiac stent — VHI price €3,118; price in Britain €3,622.

Appendectomy — VHI price €3,361; price in Britain €4,002.

Top healthcare at a high price

THE top five treatments VHI Healthcare paid for:

Cancer — €144m paid out for 73,300 claims.

Heart and cardiac-related conditions — €116m paid out for 41,800 claims.

Orthopaedic (i.e. hip replacements, knee replacements, complicated breaks) — €98m paid out in respect of 60,800 claims.

Intestinal and digestion conditions — €90m paid out in respect of 56,400 claims.

Genito-urinary conditions (i.e. hysterectomy, prostate, and bladder problems) — €58m paid out for 36,800 claims.