Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 123: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the general practitioner take-up rate of the single capitation fee of €290 in respect of all persons aged 70 years and over who will have a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45611/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government appointed Mr. Eddie Sullivan to make recommendations on a new single annual capitation fee to be paid to general practitioners in respect of medical card holders aged 70 and over in the community. Having considered in excess of seventy submissions from interested parties, including the representative body of GPs, the Irish Medical Organisation and taking into account the existing fees and cost structure, Mr. Sullivan recommended a single capitation fee of €290, which would come into effect, subject to the proposed legislative changes, from 1st January 2009. Mr. Sullivan's recommendations were accepted by Government on 29th October 2008.

The necessary legislative provisions were contained in the Health Bill 2008 which passed all stages in the Oireachtas and was signed into law on 12th December 2008. The Health Service Executive, which has the operational and funding responsibility for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, will notify all General Practitioners contracted to provide services under the scheme of the new capitation fee arrangements.