Incoming cataract reimbursement price changes 'outrageous'

Catherine Moore from BBC News NI has reported that the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) is planning to reduce the reimbursement amount for cataract surgery for patients traveling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland. The reimbursement for standard eye treatments will decrease significantly from nearly €2,000 to €1,150, and this change will take effect starting Saturday. Cataracts are a common condition that occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, often affecting older adults. The surgery to treat cataracts is known for its high success rate, as it involves replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial one. Michael Collins, a member of the Irish Parliament representing Cork South West, has expressed his strong disapproval of this decision, calling it 'outrageous. ' He believes that this reduction in reimbursement will make it difficult for many patients to afford the necessary treatment, potentially leading to blindness. Under the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, patients from the Republic of Ireland can travel to private hospitals in Northern Ireland for cataract treatments and apply for reimbursement from the Irish government. In response to the changes, Mr. Collins has initiated a bus service to transport cataract patients to Belfast, along with fellow representatives Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae. On Friday morning, the 'Cataract Express' bus was filled with patients heading to Northern Ireland before the new reimbursement cuts take effect. Mr. Collins noted that the total cost for patients, including travel, accommodation, and the procedure, amounts to approximately €3,000. He stated, 'The bus has been a godsend for them, but now some of these pensioners will not be able to afford to get the treatment. ' He further emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying, 'It's no exaggeration to say that these people will go blind as a result. ' According to medical professionals, cataract surgery is typically a straightforward procedure that lasts around 20 minutes. However, many patients face long waiting times, sometimes stretching for years, which can lead to unnecessary suffering and even blindness. The first cataract operation was performed in 1950 by Harold Ridley, who replaced the eye's natural lens with a plastic one. The HSE has stated that while some prices for cataract procedures have increased, others have decreased. They explained that there has been a delay in updating the pricing due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the reclassification of certain cataract procedures. The payments for less complex eye treatments are set to fall from €1,912 to €1,150, while the payments for the most common cataract procedures will decrease from €1,456 to €1,171. The HSE noted that the majority of procedures, approximately 94%, will fall under this new payment structure. Conversely, payments for more complex glaucoma and cataract treatments will rise from €1,912 to €4,206. The HSE decided to postpone the reimbursement changes until September 1 to ensure that no patients are disadvantaged and to fully communicate the amended prices to patients and healthcare providers. They also clarified that the pricing for procedures in the Republic is based on data from acute hospitals. This year, all procedures have been reclassified, and the prices had not been updated due to the ongoing Covid pandemic. There are also growing concerns regarding why cataract patients must travel to Northern Ireland for treatment in the first place. Dr. Gary Stack, a general practitioner based in Killarney, pointed out that the availability of cataract services in the Cork and Kerry area is 'almost non-existent. ' He stated, 'I would say I've 30 times as many patients who travel to Northern Ireland for every one patient I would see get treated publicly in Cork. ' He expressed concern over the long waiting lists, which can stretch for years, and the impact this has on eye care, with many individuals slowly losing their sight. Dr. Stack believes that thousands of people suffer unnecessarily and suggested that it would be more effective to eliminate waiting lists altogether rather than relying on reimbursements. He concluded by stating, 'In truth, it's an indictment of the health service that we cannot provide this life-changing service for people here at home.