The HSE is owed 200million euro by private insurers… and consultants not signing forms in time is the number one reason that the health executive has written off a staggering amount in unpaid claims prompting calls for ‘a radical overhaul’ of its systems
The HSE has €200 million in outstanding claims owed by private health insurers for treating private patients, with delays causing hospitals to write off millions of euros. Sinn Féin TD John Brady described the situation as “scandalous” and called for a radical overhaul of claims administration.
Of the outstanding sum, €68 million has not yet been submitted to insurers, including €54 million delayed because consultants have not signed the necessary paperwork. The HSE wrote off €3.4 million in 2025 and €4.1 million in 2024, while €78 million has been written off over six years; other causes include disputed treatment necessity, exclusions and policy limits. Voluntary hospitals are not fully covered by the Comptroller and Auditor General’s auditing powers, raising further concerns about accountability.
- HSE has €200 million in unpaid private-insurer claims.
- Consultant paperwork delays account for €54 million.
- €78 million has been written off over six years.