Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government is conscious of the importance of the medical card system in ensuring people whose needs do not enable them to access general practitioners, GPs, and other health services will be provided with such supports in line with legislative provisions. As the Deputy will be aware, the medical card system is based primarily on the assessment of an individual's financial means. Therefore, the vast majority of applicants for a medical card are required to undergo the assessment process. The Deputy has raised concerns about the delays in dealing with medical card applications. I have been assured by the HSE’s national medical card unit that there are no delays in the processing of medical card applications for any category of applicant, either new or those subject to a review.

It should be noted that in the period from January 2018 to date the HSE's national medical card unit has consistently met its key performance target to have 95% of complete medical card applications assessed for eligibility within 15 days. It is currently processing all fully completed applications within 15 working days across all application form types. There will, however, be situations where the application process may take longer than the 15-day target time. In some cases, as part of the assessment process, applicants will be required to provide additional documentation to enable the national medical card unit to access whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family. Every effort is made to ensure ongoing engagement between the HSE and applicants during this process.

Additional time may also be required to process applications in situations where an applicant's income exceeds the medical card threshold and he or she is then assessed by the national medical card unit for a discretionary medical card. In this situation, in order to take full account of the difficult circumstances which may apply, additional information such as evidence of the extra costs arising from an illness, will be requested from the applicant. The national medical card unit affords these applicants every opportunity to furnish supporting information and documentation to take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.

In summary, the HSE has indicated that there are currently no delays in processing fully completed applications for a medical card. However, where an applicant is requested to provide further or additional information, the process may take longer. The delay is necessary to allow the HSE's national medical card unit to make a comprehensive assessment of the application.

I also point out that where notice of a review of a medical card has been initiated, it is provided three months in advance of the date of expiry. This is to afford individuals an extensive time period to provide any required documentation. It is also important to note that during the review process persons will continue to hold eligibility. In addition, the HSE strives to have an application process for medical cards which is as streamlined and straightforward as possible for all applicants. Assistance is offered to persons completing application forms through the national medical card unit and local health offices. The HSE has also put in place a number of new measures oriented towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the medical card application process. On 15 January it launched its new medical card online service at www.medicalcard.ie. The new system enables people to make online applications for a medical card and is faster and more convenient than the current paper based system.

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