Review of Measures to Reduce Costs in the Private Health Insurance Market 2014

5.11.2014 This report was prepared independently by Mr McLoughlin with the support of the health insurers, and the Health Insurance Authority, for consideration by the Minister for Health and the insurers.  All parties were very conscious of the importance of respecting competition law when dealing with issues such as prices and costs. The work of the Group has been conducted in two phases, with the first phase report published on 26 December 2013. The Phase 1 report sets out the context, establishment, membership and terms of reference for both phases of the Groups work.  The report also outlines the legislative provisions for private health insurance in Ireland, the objectives of both phases of the review and the approach and methodology followed. Phase 2 of the process focused on the compilation and analysis by the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) of claims data to assess the cost drivers for health insurance, the effects of medical technology and innovations on costs, and claims processing issues.The report and submissions from relevant stakeholders which were examined and considered under the Phase 2 Review can be downloaded below. Download the Review of Measures to Reduce Costs in the Private Health Insurance Market 2014 -  Independent Report to the Minister for Health and Health Insurance Council here. Submissions received HSE Submission to Pat McLoughlin, Chair of Review Group IHAI submission 11 April 2014 IHCA submission to Chair 1 May 2014 Insurance Ireland submission Society of Actuaries in Ireland submission St. Patricks Mental Health Services submission April 2014 St John of Gods Submission        

The Recovery of Health Service Costs in Cases Involving Personal Injury Compensation (205KB)

A Consultation Document

The Costs of Caring for People with Dementia and Related Cognitive Impairments

The National Council on Ageing and Older People has undertaken a programme of research into dementia in Ireland. An Action Plan for Dementia provided a framework for the provision and planning of services for people with dementia in Ireland The Costs of Caring for People with Dementia and Related Cognitive Impairments is a complementary report to the Action Plan but with a more quantitative focus. The role of carers is one that is often taken for granted and is seen by many as a free resource. Dr Oâ?TShea explores what caring for a person with dementia entails in terms of the carers time, finances and stress. Evaluating the cost of caring for a person with dementia is the main focus of this study Download the Report here

Family Well-Being and Family Policy - A Review of Research on Benefits and Costs

This report is published under the Springboard Initiative. It is designed to assist in the process of mapping out the complex issues and data requirements which arise in developing policies for families and in finding actions which are known to promote family well-being Download the Report here

Health In Ireland: Key Trends 2011

The purpose of Health in Ireland, Key Trends 2011, as with previous editions, is to provide summary data on the main areas of health and health care over the past decade. It also aims to highlight selected trends and topics of growing concern and to include new data where it becomes available. A further objective is to assess ourselves and our progress in the broader EU context. With these goals in mind, the booklet is divided into six chapters ranging from population, life expectancy and health status through to health care delivery, staffing and costs. Click here to download PDF 2.26MB

Health system responses to financial pressures in Ireland: policy options in an international context

Given the scale of the challenge facing the health system for 2013 and subsequent years, the Department of Health invited the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies to prepare a report on the implications for the Irish health system of our current financial pressures. The Observatory is an international partnership hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The partnership includes three other international agencies (European Commission, the European Investment Bank, World Bank), several national and decentralized governments, including Ireland, and academic institutions. As an independent and neutral knowledge broker the Observatory's core mission is to inform policy-making and decision-making processes by providing tailored, timely and reliable evidence on health policy and health systems. Click here to download PDF 2.1mb

Review of Measures to Reduce Costs in the Private Health Insurance Market 2013

Independent Report to the Minister for Health and Health Insurance Council Click here to download PDF 179KB  

Health In Ireland: Key Trends 2013

Health in Ireland, Key Trends 2013 provides summary statistics on health and health care over the past ten years. It also highlights selected trends and topics of growing concern and includes new data which has become available during the course of the year. An important objective is to assess ourselves and our progress in the broader EU context. The booklet is divided into six chapters ranging across population, life expectancy and health status through to health care delivery, staffing and costs. Overall, the picture which emerges is of continuing progress, but at a reduced rate, set in a context of very ignificant financial constraints. Rapid ageing of the population in conjunction with lifestyle-related health threats present major challenges now and for the future in sustaining and further improving health and health services in Ireland Click here to download PDF 3.2MB

Review of Measures to Reduce Costs in the Private Health Insurance Market 2013

This report was prepared independently by Mr McLoughlin with the insurers support, for consideration by the Minister for Health and the insurers.  All parties were very conscious of the importance of respecting competition law when dealing with issues such as prices and costs. The Phase 1 report contains 32 recommendations under 9 headings as follows: Most of the recommendations in the Phase 1 report could be implemented on an administrative basis, while a small number, if adopted, would require legislation. Some of the key recommendations to drive down costs are can be summarised as follows: Controlling costs in private health insurance Care settings and use of resources Age structure of the market Clinical audit and utilisation management Industry approach to private psychiatry Fraud, waste and abuse Chronic disease management Claims processing Admission and discharge procedures and processes. Most of the recommendations in the Phase 1 report could be implemented on an administrative basis, while a small number, if adopted, would require legislation.

Alcohol Action Ireland's conference - presentations.

Session One - Alcohol and Crime in Ireland, Counting the Costs• National Quantitative Research, Director of Alcohol Action Ireland, Fiona Ryan• National and International Context - Dr. Anne Hope• Economic Costs of Alcohol Related Crime - Senior Lecturer, Sean Byrne Session Two - Exploring Responses to Alcohol and Crime• Garda Juvenile Diversion Program - Superintendent, Colette Quinn• HSE South - Health Promotion Officer, Sandra Coughlan Session Three - Hidden Harm - Sexual and Domestic Violence and Alcohol• Rape Crisis Network Ireland - Cliona Saidlear• SAFE Ireland - Director, Sharon O’ Halloran• Alcohol Concern - Director, Christine Toft• Men Overcoming Violence (MOVE) - CEO, Thomas Bibby• Head of Crime Reduction Branch, Martine Mc Killop & Belfast Community Safety Partnership, Stevie LaveryThis resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

The Challenges and Benefits of Using Quantitative Research and Evaluation Methodologies in an Organisational Context

Barnardos supports children whose well-being is under threat, by working with them, their families and communities and by campaigning for the rights of children. Barnardos was established in Ireland in 1962 and is Ireland’s leading independent Children's charity.  

2009 Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease triples healthcare costs for Americans aged 65 or older��2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures provides a statistical resource for U.S. data related to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, as well as other dementias. Background and context for interpretation of the data are contained in the Overview. This includes definitions of the types of dementias and a summary of current knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease. Additional sections address prevalence, mortality and lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as paid and family caregiving and use and costs of care and services. The Special Report for 2009 focuseson the emerging issue of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

Includes a Special Report on Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s Disease2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures provides a statistical resource for United States data����related to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, as well as other dementias. Background and context for interpretation of the data are contained in the Overview. This includes definitions of the types of dementia and a summary of current knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease. Additional sections address prevalence, mortality, caregiving and use and costs of care and services. The Special Report for 2010 focuses on race, ethnicity and Alzheimer’s disease.