Written answers

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

8:00 pm

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 736: To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11344/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 737: To ask the Minister for Health the average timeframe for processing medical card applications; the length of time it takes to process and application form the time further information is received; the action he is taking to address these long delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11350/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I am aware that there have been difficulties with the processing of medical card applications and renewals. These issues are a matter of serious concern and I have held several meetings with the HSE to raise my concerns. As a result of these discussions, a number of changes are being introduced to the medical card application system. These changes will assist in speeding up the turn around for applications by easing the level of pressure on the medical card system, particularly with respect to the review process which, due to the timing of the re-issuing, and hence review, of a large cohort of medical cards has placed a large demand on the resources of the centralised office.

In 2010, the PCRS central office introduced a self assessment review process for people aged 70 years and over, as that cohort was managed entirely by the central office. Following on from this development, the HSE has eased the review process for all pensioners. The change will mean that reviews for medical card holders who are aged 66 years or over will operate on a self-assessment basis, as currently happens with people aged 70 years and over. The self-assessment review model will also be extended to medical card holders under 66 years of age, who were granted their medical card on the basis of a means assessment, where the HSE is satisfied that the individual continues to be resident in this jurisdiction.

The HSE is also standardising eligibility periods from two years to three years for people aged under 66 years, with a new four year eligibility period for medical card holders aged 66 years 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 at any time. The HSE is in the process of arranging access to data in the possession of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection to allow them conduct reviews without troubling medical card holders for further documentation. It is also intended to increase the fine applying to false claims in forthcoming legislation.

Discretionary cards, emergency cards and cards held by people in a small number of other categories will continue to be reviewed in the normal way, but the HSE are confident that the extension of the self assessment model to the great majority of medical card holders will simplify the process substantially, will improve the service to the client and will improve turnaround times for reviews. It is hoped that ultimately about 80% of renewals will be dealt with in this way. This new process also focuses attention on active users of the Medical Card to ensure that those most in need are involved in the streamlined process.

The HSE has, this month, agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation to implement a new system that gives GPs the additional ability to identify and assist the vulnerable medical card holders in our society. GPs will be able to maintain the eligibility of these patients where they are going through the renewal system. GPs will also be able to add new babies onto the medical card system.

The PCRS central office is working to deal with some of the processing issues that have been arising. This has included reviewing and refining their systems for the receipt and logging of applications and documents being sent in as a result of requests for additional information. In addition, an additional 20 staff were redeployed to the central office in January to bring its complement up to 150 and this should make an impact on processing times.

The HSE, for its part, has now accepted that it needs to review the overall operation of the central office with a view to ensuring that an acceptable level of service for the public is in place. This review is being assisted by a consultancy firm which will review current processes, develop proposals for improvements of the processes and for improvements in customer service and it is due to be completed within a few weeks. I am continuing to engage with the HSE with regard to other possible improvements.

I have asked the HSE for a report in the issue of length of time for processing applications and I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

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