Vhi Healthcare Agrees Full Cover for Outpatient MRI and CT Scans at Charlemont Clinic

30th August 2000 - Today (August 30, 2000), Vhi Healthcare announced its approval of insurance cover for an MRI scanner and a spiral CT scanner at the Radiology Department, Charlemont Clinic in Dublin. Vhi Healthcare members will now be covered in full under Vhi Healthcare’s hospital scheme for MRI and CT scans at this facility. This is a significant improvement in benefit to Vhi Healthcare members.

Under the new agreement Vhi Healthcare will pay the Radiology Department at Charlemont Clinic directly for MRI and spiral CT scans, with no excess. As a result, Vhi members will not have to pay at any stage of the process. This is an extension of the existing agreement between both parties in relation to conventional x-rays, barium and other contrast studies, ultrasound, mammography and orthopantography which are covered under the Vhi outpatient scheme.

A similar arrangement for MRI scans exists between Vhi Healthcare and the Scancor facility in Cork. It has proved very successful and of huge benefit to members.

"Vhi Healthcare strives to provide and maintain the best value for money and widest range of quality healthcare for its members. This new arrangement with the Radiology Department at Charlemont Clinic is based on quality service and competitive fee structures. We would be willing to talk with other providers about similar arrangements if they can compete on price", said Oliver Tattan, Vhi Healthcare Chief Executive.

Vhi Healthcare will have the opportunity, via an online computer link, to collect reliable statistics for MRI and CT scans and potentially for other diagnostic radiology services provided in the facility which are currently paid under the Outpatient Scheme.

"We are pleased to have agreed this partnership with Vhi Healthcare in a new initiative for outpatient investigation. We look forward to working with Vhi Healthcare to provide an effective and efficient diagnostic radiology service for our patients", said Dr. G.D. Hurley, consultant radiologist at Radiology Department, Charlemont Clinic.

Notes to the Editor:
MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the most significant advance in medical imaging since the discovery of the x-ray. It is a non-invasive procedure that aids in the diagnosis and treatment of disease by allowing doctors to look inside the human body.

Charlemont Clinic was set up in 1987 on the site of the former St Ultan’s Children’s Hospital as an outpatient clinic by a group of ten consultants. There are now over 80 attending consultants from all medical disciplines. The clinic serves the needs of patients and referring doctors who need ready access to consultant and diagnostic laboratory and radiology services.