PMI providers questioned by House of Lords

A dispute between medical consultants and Private Medical Insurers has escalated in the House of Lords.

The Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations (FIPO), which represents professional independent medical organisations and specialist groups, is in dispute with insurers over plans by insurers to implement fixed fee schedules on consultants.

They are also accused by FIPO of demanding data which will see insurers acting as regulators, something consultants feel will have a detrimental effect on patient care and choice.

FIPO has been in contact with a number of parliamentary figures to draw their attention to what it calls: "The erosion of patient choice and continuity of care that would occur as a result of the insurers' proposals."

Lord Walton of Detchant is tabling a question for oral response on 15 November 2010. The question is:"Lord Walton of Detchant to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the imposition of fixed fee schedules and restricted hospital and consultant networks for the provision of services to private medical insurance, as now practised by the two principal insurers in this field, is in the public interest."

Lord Walton is a Neurologist and ex president of the General Medical Council and British Medical Association.

In June, Lord Crisp the former Chief Executive of the NHS asked of the Government in the House of Lords: "what controls they propose to put in place to ensure that private health insurance adhere to their industry codes of practice".