Quinn withdraws health cover at hospital
As a result, future patients of St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin will no longer be covered by Quinn Healthcare insurance for treatment in the hospital or its other related services.
This includes patients at St Edmundsbury Hospital, an acute psychiatric unit set in its own grounds, but which is incorporated as part of the main hospital.
In a statement issued yesterday, the insurance company confirmed its contract with the psychiatric hospital had not been renewed.
“Quinn Healthcare was unable to resolve contractual issues with the hospital and failed to agree over an increase in hospital charges,” the statement read.
The insurance giant said the measure will not impact on those currently undergoing treatment or scheduled to commence treatment in the hospital as their claims will be covered.
A spokesperson for St Patrick’s University Hospital said despite its best efforts Quinn Healthcare had “refused to agree a new contract with the hospital”.
“As we were acutely conscious of the distress which would be caused to our service users in the event that a new contract could not be executed with Quinn Healthcare, we have been engaged in discussions for the last 18 months in an attempt to agree new pricing structures.
“Despite every effort by the hospital and acceptance of the new costing structures by other health insurers agreement could not be reached with Quinn Healthcare,” said a spokesperson.
General manager of Quinn Healthcare Dónal Clancy said any customers who require treatment in the future would receive cover at alternative facilities.
“We would like to assure any members currently undergoing treatment or scheduled to commence treatment at St Patrick’s Hospital, that their claim will be covered.
“We would like to advise members who may require treatment in the future that we will continue to offer excellent cover for treatment at alternative facilities,” said Mr Clancy.
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