MINISTER OF Health Rudyard Spencer says checks and balances will be put in place to help mitigate against those insured people seeking to cheat the Government out of billing their insurance companies for services when the abolition of user fees takes effect Tuesday.

Public health facilities will still be billing insurance companies for 80 per cent of the cost for the service provided to insured patients. Insured patients will, however, not be required to co-pay the remaining 20 per cent.

However, the situation provides a loophole for people seeking to get the most out of the health services by lying about insurance status, since the information is usually volunteered.

Spencer says while the Government cannot absolutely prevent the situation, it will be taking a list of patients whose names will be cross-referenced against a list provided by insurance companies every month.

"We would like to tie it down a little bit better, but like I say this is work in progress," Spencer added.