Half of €100 emergency charges sent to exempt patients

Health Minister James Reilly may have to rethink the controversial €100 emergency department charge after it emerged up to half of the bills are sent to patients who are exempt from payment.

An analysis of the charge, introduced in 2009 as the recession was taking hold, said there is an inherent risk in how patients are targeted — meaning the scheme may need to be revamped for the benefit of hospitals and patients.

The conclusion was drawn by the HSE’s own internal audit division after they examined four hospitals in the south-east.