The High Court has reserved judgement on a challenge by five private hospitals to a payments system introduced by the VHI for private hospitals last month.
The proceedings were brought by two Dublin hospitals, St Joseph's, Raheny, and Mount Carmel, Churchtown, and by Clane Hospital, Co Kildare; Galvia Hospital, Renmore, Co Galway; and St Joseph's Hospital, Sligo.
They are seeking an injunction to restrain the VHI from imposing new cash limits and volume restrictions without providing for increases in costs incurred.