Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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648. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding elderly persons in nursing homes losing their medical cards because their payment toward their care is not considered in the assessment of their income (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25414/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the arrangements effected by the Health Act 2008, a revised system of assessment for eligibility was introduced for those 70 years of age and over, based on the significantly higher gross income limits rather than the standard net income thresholds. This advantageous arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole.

However, 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 and 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.