VHI Healthcare paid out over €47 million for the medical treatment of 23,000 children in 2013, it has announced.

Just over €27 million was paid out for diagnostic and surgical procedures, while €20 million covered claims for the medical treatment of conditions which did not involve procedures.

According to the VHI, the five most common procedures paid for in relation to children were:
-the diagnostic heart test, echocardiography
-Myringotomy (an incision in the eardrum to relieve pressure caused by excessive buildup of fluid or to drain pus from the middle ear) and the insertion of grommets
-Tonsils and/or adenoid removal
-Intravenous chemotherapy
-Removal of lesions.

These procedures accounted for over 5,000 claims.

The VHI noted that for non-emergergency elective procedures, such as the insertion of grommets, three in four insured children were treated in private hospitals. Altogether, almost 8,000 children attended private hospitals last year.

Commenting on the figures, VHI chief executive, John O'Dwyer, said that they ‘clearly illustrate the value of having private health insurance for children'.