Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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197. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the elderly, the medical card and the assessment process. [49699/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the new eligibility rules for medical cards for persons aged over 70 years, announced in the Budget 2014. These rules will not take effect until 2014, after primary legislation has been enacted. The implementation date will be announced and publicised in advance by the Department and HSE.

It is important to note that only one in ten over-70s will be affected by Budget 2014. As the new income limits are more than twice the level of the basic State pension, it is clear that the vast majority of over-70s medical card holders will not be affected. Those affected by the changes will continue to have access to GP services without charges. Under the Drug Payments Scheme, the HSE will meet the prescription drug costs of these older people without a medical card who face drugs costs higher than the DPS threshold of €144 per month, which is equivalent to expenditure on prescription drugs being capped at about €33 per week for a person earning €500 per week or a couple earning €900 per week.

The Deputy may also wish to note that persons aged 70 or older, who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds, may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme where they face particularly high expenses, e.g., nursing home or medication costs. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses. The qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over -70s gross income thresholds. Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card on a discretionary basis where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.