Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical cards that have been issued to persons over 70 years; the number of over 70 years medical cards that are reassessed on an annual basis; following reassessment of over 70 years medical cards that are withdrawn on an annual basis; the cost of the reassessment of over 70 years medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24862/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to abolish the reassessment of issued over 70 years medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24863/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.

The Health Service Executive has stated that 345,806 persons over 70 years now hold medical cards and that 224 hold GP Visit cards.

The Executive estimates that approximately 72,000 card holders in the over 70 age group are reviewed each year.

Data on the number of medical cards withdrawn on a yearly basis is not routinely collected by the Executive. The HSE does not disaggregate the cost of reviewing the over 70's scheme from the cost of other services provided by the Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS). Schemes managed by PCRS currently include the over 70's Medical Card Scheme and the under 70's Medical Card Scheme; Drugs Payment Scheme; High Tech Drugs Scheme; Long Term Illness Scheme and payments to doctors, pharmacists, dentists and opticians contracted to provide these services.

The Executive has simplified the review/renewal process for over 70s medical cards where there has been no change in circumstances. In other circumstances, the case is reviewed in the normal way. However, the review process is an important quality assurance aspect of the management of the GMS. For this reason the HSE does not intend to abolish the review process for those persons whose circumstances have changed.