§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many payments to the National Health Service trusts were made by the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Benefits Agency under the terms of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999 between 5 April and 30 November; what was the aggregate value of those payments; and what was the aggregate value of National Health Service charges billed to insurance companies by the Compensation Recovery Unit, but not yet paid by them, as at 30 November; and [HL212]
What was the number of settled claims and their aggregate value, notified by insurance companies to the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Benefits Agency under the terms of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999 between 5 April and 30 November; and [HL213]
What was the total number and aggregate value of charges billed to insurance companies by the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Benefits Agency under the terms of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999 between 5 April and 30 November; and [HL214]
Whether all relevant data relating to road traffic accidents which occurred prior to 5 April and on which National Health Service charges are potentially recoverable, have been loaded on to the Compensation Recovery Unit's computer system; and whether such recoveries are now being actively pursued; and [HL216]
How many claims made under the provisions of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999 were the subject of appeals by insurance companies as at 30 November; how long it is estimated that appeals will take to be heard; and what is the estimated cost of an appeal to the taxpayer. [HL217]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)In the period of 5 April 1999 to 30 November 1999, 1,172 end of month payments (which can relate to more than one underlying claim for compensation) have been made to 272 NHS trusts. The aggregate value of the payments made is £12,070,639.56. The amount owed by insurers and due for immediate repayment, but not collected, at 30 November 1999 is £6,031,456.44.
The total sum of £18,102,096 has been raised from 51,915 payments of compensation following road traffic accidents made between 5 April 1999 to 30 November 1999.
4WAPayment has been made in 84,342 cases where NHS charges are due when a payment for compensation is made. These had previously been entered onto the original computer system. Of these cases, 78,754 have now been transferred to the new system and recovery is being actively pursued. Plans are in hand to transfer the remainder. No appeals have been received. Consequently, estimates cannot be made as to the length of time or cost of an appeal.