Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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686. To ask the Minister for Health if persons with a medical card, having blood samples taken by their local general practitioner or primary care centre, are liable for a charge; if they are not liable for a charge, the way this instruction or guideline is regulated. [22876/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Persons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE have addressed this issue and clearly stated its position to GPs, pointing out that where the service forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, it should be provided free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card.

The HSE deals with complaints from GMS patients on a case-by-case basis. In such circumstances, the Executive will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by a GP for phlebotomy services and it will re-coup the value of same from payments due to that GP under the GMS Scheme.

If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes they have been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by their GP, they may wish to make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE’s Complaints Policy. Contact details for all Local Health Offices can be found on the HSE’s website.