Dáil debates
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate
Medical Cards
2:00 am
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
I thank the Deputy for her heartfelt request and for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on this matter on behalf of the Department of Health.
Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange medical services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure. Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds, which are based on gross income. Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means-tested medical card thresholds, which are based on the applicant's household income after tax and the reduction of PRSI and the universal social charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account.
In line with the legislation, the HSE is obliged to obtain relevant financial information and documents from applicants to facilitate due consideration of the assessable income and allowable expenses of individuals and families, and to assess these in order to determine their eligibility for a medical card. Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card. For example, emergency medical cards are issued to patients who are terminally ill, which the Deputy referred to, or are seriously ill and in urgent need of medical care they cannot afford. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical form by a healthcare professional. These cards are not subject to a means assessment.
Applications for a medical card and a GP card can be made online. This is the quickest method of getting the card. All of the required documentation that will assist in an application can be uploaded online with the application. Alternatively, an application form can be downloaded from the HSE's website or applicants can contact the HSE to request a paper form because we appreciate not everybody can avail of digitalisation. We often see that, especially with older clients who come to our offices. The completed forms can then be returned to the HSE by email or post. HSE staff are also available by telephone to answer questions from people who want to chat to them about their personal applications. Furthermore, the HSE medical card and GP visit card national assessment guidelines are available on the HSE website to provide information and assistance to applicants in making their application. In doing so, the HSE strives to have an application process for medical cards that is as streamlined and straightforward as possible for all applicants.
According to the HSE, 189,391 medical card and GP visit card applications were processed between January and May of this year. Out of these, 175,151, or 92%, were approved at the first time of processing. Furthermore, 99% of all completed applications within the above timeframe are processed within 15 working days. However, if the HSE does not have all the information it needs, it will then contact the applicant to let him or her know what is missing. This can delay the processing of the application.
I will refer again to the Deputy's comments on cancer patients. I agree that those facing that very difficult journey do not need the burden of financial constraints. To answer that, and I am sure the Deputy is aware of this, an emergency medical card can be issued within 24 hours.
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