Written answers

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Department of Health and Children

Medical Cards

11:00 pm

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the income limits and other conditions that apply to a person, to be deemed eligible to apply for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26145/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Persons and their dependants who would experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of general medical and surgical services are eligible for a medical card, which entitles them to a range of health services free of charge. In 2005, the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. The full income guidelines as of 1st January 2009 that apply to applicants for a medical card or a GP visit card are set out in tabular form below.

Medical Card Income Thresholds for Applicants aged 70 & Over (Effective from 01-01-2009)
Medical Card Weekly Rate 01/01/2009
Single Person Aged 70 and over€700.00
Married Couple Aged 70 and over€1,400.00

Persons whose income is above €700 per week (gross) for a single person and €1,400 per week (gross) for a married couple and whose circumstances are such that it would cause them undue hardship to provide medical and surgical services for themselves, may be considered for a medical card on a discretionary basis.

Income from Savings/Investments/Property

Any savings up to €36,000 (single) / €72,000 (couple) will be disregarded and only interest from savings above these figures will be considered as income for means testing purposes.

Income will not be imputed from property (whether a family home, a holiday home or any other property) for means testing purposes, unless it is rented and only the net rental income will be included as income. The income to be assessed will be the gross income, less any cost necessarily incurred associated with the property and such cost may include insurance premia, loan/mortgage repayments, maintenance, etc.

Only dividend payments will be considered as income for means testing purposes in the context of shares and investments.

Medical Card / GP Visit Card Income Thresholds for Applicants under 70 Years of Age
(Effective from 01-01-2009)
Medical Card Weekly RateGP Visit Card Weekly Rate 01/01/2009
Single Person Living Alone
Aged up to 65 years184.00276.00
Aged between 66-69 years201.50302.00
Single Person Living with Family
Aged up to 65 years164.00246.00
Aged between 66-69 years173.50260.00
Married Couple/Single Parent Families with Dependent Children
Aged up to 65 years266.50400.00
Aged between 66-69 years298.00447.00
Allowances
Allowance for first 2 children under 16 years financially dependent on applicant38.0057.00
For 3rd and subsequent children under 16 years financially dependent on applicant41.0061.50
Allowance for first 2 children over 16 years financially dependant on applicant39.0058.50
For 3rd and subsequent children over 16 years financially dependent on applicant42.5064.00
For a dependant over 16 years in full-time education and not grant-aided78.00117.00

Other Items Considered

In assessing if a person qualifies for a Medical Card or a GP Visit Card, the HSE must have regard to the person's overall financial situation and not just their income.

The assessment of eligibility for medical cards will be based on the combined income of the applicant and spouse (if any) after tax and PRSI have been deducted.

Applicants whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare or Health Service Executive allowances/payments, which are in excess of the Financial Guidelines (either at first application or renewal) will be granted a medical card.

Additional guideline allowances will be given for:

Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent/mortgage payments;

Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of childcare costs;

Reasonable expenses incurred in travel to work.

Expenditure in relation to medical costs will be considered.

In respect of savings and investments, the first €36,000 for a single person and €72,000 in respect of a couple is disregarded when determining income.

If an applicant's income is over the guidelines they may still qualify if their personal circumstances cause undue financial hardship.

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is a dedicated direct contact line for Oireachtas Members to contact officials in her Department in the new medical card section based in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26147/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational responsibility for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. Up to the start of this year, medical card and GP visit card applications were processed in the 32 local health areas. However, under the HSE's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The change is being implemented on a phased basis and has commenced with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The PCRS is committed to responding to all queries from Oireachtas members and the wider public. Its phone number is 01-8647100.

The HSE has established a Parliamentary Affairs Division (PAD) to co-ordinate and manage Parliamentary Questions and representations from Oireachtas members. The Executive is committed to responding to all Oireachtas members' PQs and representations and should a Deputy have any difficulty with regard to a reply to their question, they can contact the HSE central PAD on 01-6352505 or email pad@hse.ie.

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the impact the proposed centralisation of medical cards will have on applicants in North Tipperary; the staff who are currently employed doing this work including community welfare officers and clerical staff; the way the service will be improved by removing local knowledge and local expertise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26148/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Up to the start of this year, medical card and GP visit card applications were processed in the 32 local health areas. However, under the Health Service Executive's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The change is being implemented on a phased basis and has commenced with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over.

The HSE has advised my Department that there are no plans to close any of the local health offices and these offices will continue to deal with queries of a general nature about the medical card scheme and will provide any assistance needed with the application process. However, the process will involve a reassignment of existing human resources within the HSE.

Under the new arrangements, the HSE will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 days or less for all medical card applications. Emergency applications will be dealt with immediately with a card issuing within 24 hours. People whose income exceeds the income guidelines but have a case to be considered on medical or hardship grounds will continue to have their application considered by the PCRS.

Since medical card applications will all be processed centrally, this will result in a more consistent and transparent approach being applied.

This is an example of the type of innovation signalled in the Transforming Public Services Programme announced by the Taoiseach last November. It demonstrates how improved services can be delivered within the more limited resources available in a way which meets the needs of citizens in a modern society.

As the Deputy's question refers specifically to the position in North Tipperary, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter, and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

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