Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Health if he will address, as a matter of urgency, the delays in processing annual reviews of medical cards in view of the fact that the current delays are causing qualified patients to lose medical card cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1319/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Since taking over the centralisation of the Medical Card scheme, six months ago, the HSE's Central Office is working to deal with some residual logistical problems which naturally arise with a project of this scale and magnitude.

The issues arising in respect of medical card renewals are a matter of concern to me, and I have held detailed discussions with the HSE. A medical card holder who genuinely engages with the review of their medical card should not have their entitlement withdrawn before that review is complete. The HSE is taking steps to ensure that this rule is properly implemented. In particular, the HSE is undertaking significant changes to how it conducts reviews so that there is far less administrative burden placed on most medical card holders and so that reviews take far less time.

From this month, the HSE is easing the review process for pensioners. The change will mean that reviews for medical card holders who are 66 yrs or over will operate on a self-assessment basis, as currently happens with over-seventies. The self-assessment review model will also be extended to medical card holders under 66, who were granted their medical card on the basis of a means assessment, where the HSE is satisfied that the client has not passed away and is living in this jurisdiction.

The HSE is also standardising eligibility periods from two years to three years for people aged under 66yrs, with a new four year eligibility period for medical card holders aged 66 or over. Notwithstanding, there continues to be an obligation on all card holders to notify the HSE of any change in their circumstances which would disentitle them from holding a medical card.

In addition, from February 1, the HSE will implement a new system that provides additional functionality to GPs to maintain the eligibility of their patients where a patient is going through the renewal process. This new system will also allow GPs to add new babies online.

These reforms should significantly reduce the administrative burden on these medical card holders and indeed the HSE, and ensure that some of the issues in relation to renewals are addressed. I am continuing to engage with the HSE in relation to other possible changes to the renewal and application process.