THE STATE’S largest private health insurer, the VHI, said last night it had now reached agreement with most private hospitals on price cuts for next year.
It confirmed, however, that negotiations with some hospitals were still ongoing.
Some private hospital sources said negotiations were at an advanced stage or in fact concluded in one case, with both sides making concessions on what originally had been sought.
The VHI wanted to reduce by 3 per cent the amount it pays private hospitals for all procedures next year.
It also wanted to put a monthly cap on the amount it pays each hospital for treating patients in 2011.
Most hospitals have agreed to cut the price they get paid by the VHI for procedures next year and the VHI, in return, is no longer insisting on a monthly cap on the amount it pays each private hospital next year.