ADDITIONAL bills may be sent to VHI subscribers from today because of a dispute between the health insurance company and hospital consultants.
A spokesman for the VHI said last night that the company had not changed its position on a new deal on fees.
Consultants are due to receive a letter this morning from the VHI giving details of a new two year fees schedule. But they will also receive a letter from the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association urging them to sign on for only one year because the VHI is refusing to give them the 4.5 per cent increase demanded for next year.
Consultants in 12 specialities where payment for some procedures has been reduced by up to 30 per cent have been advised to opt out of the full cover agreement, Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick, secretary general of the association, said.
Up to 300 consultants - including oncologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists and pathologists - are threatening to send additional VHI bills because the company wants to reform the payments made to them.
The oncology group is to meet, tomorrow to discuss whether they will introduce balance billing.
Mr Fitzpatrick said there was little difference between the sides.