Sir, - Your Health Correspondent, Allison O'Connor, in her article on fee increases to consultants by the VHI (February 3rd) stated that consultants receive an average £60,000 per year from the VHI. Ms O'Connor did not mention that the fees consultants receive from visits to their rooms by patients are seldom claimed from the VHI by subscribers, because of the high deductible thresholds for outpatient costs, of £250 for a single person and £400 for a family. A fee of only £30 may be entered on the claim form for each visit to a consultant, regardless of the actual charge.
When negotiating a new fee agreement with consultants, I suggest that the VHI remembers its subscribers, who are less than happy with the continuing premium increases, with no ensuing benefits for subscribers. Consultants might consider providing a recovery room in their private suites, to which patients may totter when they are given the bill by a secretary after a consultation. - Yours, etc.,
Crannagh Road, Dublin 14.