Vhi Healthcare today announced that it is inviting tenders for the provision of outpatient MRI services.
The company is to establish a new Directory of Approved MRI Centres, with effect from September 1, 2007 which will be valid until September 1, 2009.
The directory will offer Vhi Healthcare members a choice between fully covered centres with direct payment arrangements and other centres with varying levels of cover under the outpatient element of their policy.
Vhi Healthcare members can be referred for an MRI by either a GP or a consultant, for diagnosing or ruling out agreed medical conditions only.
Vhi Healthcare will continue to offer insurance cover for MRI scans carried out during the course of a medically necessary inpatient stay in acute hospitals that satisfy quality and service provisions.
Hospitals with these in-patient MRI facilities who meet the tender criteria will also be eligible to apply for the provision of the fully covered outpatient services.
According to Dr Bernadette Carr, medical director of Vhi Healthcare: “We are committed to providing the best and most up to date healthcare available and in this respect we regularly review the benefits we provide to our members.
“Last year we increased the number of MRI centres covered and also improved the geographical spread of facilities available to our members while at the same time reducing the cost of such procedures by up to 30%."
“MRI scans continue to play an increasingly important role in the investigation, diagnosis and subsequent treatment of various diseases. Since July 2006, the volume of MRI scans carried out at direct payment centres has increased by 32%.
“Our aim is to provide access to best practice healthcare for our members while at the same time seeking and obtaining the most competitive prices for the delivery of these services.”