VARIATIONS of thousands of pounds have been found in a survey of the prices charged to the VHI by private hospitals for some medical procedures.
The survey by the VHI also showed that even within individual hospitals rates charged for a variety of procedures fluctuated dramatically.
The VHI's chairman, Mr Noel Hanlon, has written to the hospitals informing them that a price list is being drawn up and will have to be adhered to. A full schedule of charges will be sent out in the next few weeks.
According to VHI sources the survey is just a "snapshot view" but even within that there is a huge variety. One compared the situation to "being charged 75p for a loaf of bread in one shop and £7.50 in another." Up to 16 of the State's private hospitals are involved.
The survey showed VHI has been charged from £3,734 up to £6,247 for hip replacements, while the charge for prostate operations and hysterectomies was double in some hospitals compared to others.
A sample of the different prices charged for routine tests also indicated big variations between different hospitals. The price of a cholesterol test varies from £5 to £17; liver function tests from £10 to £41; barium enemas from £45 to £110; and MRI scans from £215 to £330.
Up to £300 has been charged for what is described as "routine laboratory" tests on one patient.
Even within individual hospitals prices vary by hundreds of pounds for certain procedures. An example was cited of a "significant private hospital with a lot of patients". The list price for theatre fees for a thyroidectomy there was £232 but a claim for £380 was made.
A bill was received for two CT scans on one patient. When the VHI checked with the consultant, they were informed that he had only ordered one scan.
Last year the hospitals applied a 5 per cent increase in histopathology, according to VHI. This was halved following an agreement.
There has been a dispute between the Independent Hospitals Association of Ireland (IHAI) and VHI over an across the board request for an increase of 3.5 per cent from the private hospitals.