HSE begins repayment of illegal nursing home charges

The Health Service Executive has begun operating a repayment scheme for people illegally charged for nursing home care dating back to the 1970s.

Some 70,000 potential claimants are eligible to apply for reimbursement of the charges they were forced to pay between 1976 and 2004.

The charges were eventually halted in December 2004 after the Attorney General warned that it was illegal to charge medical-card holders for a place in a public nursing home.

The repayment scheme runs until December of next year, with the HSE predicting average settlements of between €15,000 to €20,000.

Tánaiste Mary Harney said a significant proportion of the repayments would be made before the end of 2006, with priority being given to those who are still alive.

“The legislation which provides a clear legal framework for the scheme,” Ms Harney said. “The public launch and information campaign will ensure that repayments will now be made as quickly as possible to all those who were wrongly charged while also placing appropriate safeguards in place to prevent exploitation of those who receive repayments.”

The Minister for Health confirmed an applicant would have the right to an independent appeal against the decision made by the scheme administrator.

People receiving repayments are being given the option to donate some of the money to a donation fund to be used for improving long stay care for the elderly.

Ms Harney said: “People have already indicated their interest in contributing to the Donation Fund and I would encourage everyone to give this option careful consideration.”

Claims forms can be obtained from post offices, the repay.ie website or by calling a special lo-call number due to be advertised nationwide.

There will also be an independent appeals process for disputed claims.

The scheme applies to every living person who was illegally charged since 1976, but the estates of deceased nursing home residents will only be reimbursed if the resident died after December 9, 1998.