Written answers

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Department of Health

Medical Card Eligibility

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1026. To ask the Minister for Health his response to the new survey by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland which indicates that 42% of respondents with neurological problems have had their medical card withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13192/14]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and family can qualify for a medical card. The HSE can only award medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and, therefore, it must assess applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner. The HSE gives effect to this legislation through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines.

The HSE is obliged to operate within the legal parameters as set out in the Health Act, while also responding to the variety of circumstances and complexities faced by individuals who apply for a medical card. Under the legislation, there is no entitlement to a medical card based on having a particular disease or illness (nor has there been previously). However, if an applicant’s means are above the financial thresholds as set out in the national guidelines, the HSE routinely examines for indications of medical or social circumstances which might result in undue financial hardship in arranging medical services and, exercising discretion, may grant eligibility for a medical card on this basis. Where persons submit an application, as a new applicant or a renewal review, without additional medical documentation and are refused, they will receive a letter giving a calculation of the guideline thresholds and where these have been exceeded. Also, at this stage, they are informed of the option to furnish further medical documentation, to demonstrate medical expenditure related to an illness or disease, in support their application. The HSE has a panel of Community Medical Officers to assist in the processing of applications for medical cards on a discretionary basis, where the income guidelines are exceeded but where there are difficult personal circumstances, such as an illness or physical disability.

Where discretion is exercised with regard to an applicant with an illness or disease, it is the medical costs of that condition on a person's financial situation that is relevant to the assessment for a medical card. In accordance with the legislation, it is not possible to award a medical card by virtue of an illness or a disease or the severity thereof. The HSE does not record, on the GMS database, the medical conditions of an individual and, therefore, it is not possible to state whether persons with a medical condition did not qualify for a medical card.

All medical card and GP visit card holders are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility. This review process is applied across all medical card holders, and is not targeted at condition specific groups.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.