Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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230. To ask the Minister for Health with regard to medical card renewals, if medical information must be provided each time in a situation where the person has a life-long condition which will never change; his view on the stress this places on such persons and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9818/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the Health Act 1970, as amended, eligibility for a medical card or a GP visit card is determined primarily on the basis of an assessment of financial means. If an applicant’s means are above the financial thresholds, as outlined in the National Assessment Guidelines, the HSE routinely considers whether the refusal of eligibility will result in undue financial hardship for the applicant or any dependants. Eligibility may be granted, on a discretionary basis, if the applicant cannot arrange general practitioner, medical and surgical services, for themselves and their dependants, without undue financial hardship.

Medical card or GP visit card eligibility is not granted solely on the basis of a person’s medical condition (other than persons affected by the drug Thalidomide or persons affected by Symphysiotomy). Medical card applicants or their dependants who submit supporting medical reports with an application for a medical card and who do not qualify for a medical card on an assessment of means, have the management of their medical condition considered during the assessment process to determine if the refusal of eligibility would result in undue financial hardship for the applicant or any dependants.

Persons that have been granted a medical card under the ‘financial hardship’ provisions of the medical card scheme are required, when the subject of a review assessment, to submit all relevant and up-to-date details material to making a determination of continuing eligibility.

Where an applicant indicates on their review application that medical evidence has been previously submitted relating to a life-long medical condition, and this has been confirmed by the HSE, the HSE will not request further medical evidence in this regard. The applicant will, however, be required to submit all other information material to a review assessment.