Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Health the reason general practitioners are receiving €700 per annum for each medical card patient on their list aged over 70, no visit required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4427/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the General Medical Services contract, GPs receive a range of fees and allowances in respect of each medical card and GP visit card patient on their GMS list. The current annual capitation payments in respect of persons 70 years or more are as follows:

- €434.15 - Patient aged 70 years or more residing in a private nursing home (approved by the HSE) for continuous periods in excess of 5 weeks.

- €271.62 - Patient aged 70 years or more residing in the community.

Annual capitation payments are made to GPs regardless of how many times a patient visits their doctor during the year. However, it is widely acknowledged that the annual visitation rates in respect of GMS patients in the over 70 age cohort would on average exceed those of patients under 70 years of age and those who are not medical card or GP visit card holders.