asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, in the implementation of his policy for National Health Service charges for overseas visitors, he will draw up a list of insurance firms who do not pay hospital bills promptly or at all;(2) in the light of the new policy about National Health Service charges for overseas visitors, what guidance he gives to district health authorities, about ways to check the validity and extent of medical insurance policies such visitors have, particularly where such visitors come with policies never seen by the district health authority previously.
As with charges payable by private patients, I would expect authorities to accept in lieu of direct payment only agreed evidence of insurance with established medical provident associations, and with other insurance companies who have made satisfactory arrangements with the authority.