Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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618. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider reviewing the current reimbursement process in place for medical card holders seeking to claim back the costs of blood tests; if this has ever been reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60450/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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620. To ask the Minister for Health if medical card holders are advised of the reimbursement process to recoup the costs of blood tests with their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60452/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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621. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) on the charging of medical card holders for blood tests by general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60453/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 618, 620 and 621 together.

There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. This has been advised to GPs by the HSE.

The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. My Department and the HSE discussed this issue previously with the relevant GP representative body. However, it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances. It is intended to raise this issue again at an appropriate time.

It should be noted that the GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in, having commenced last year, will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.

The position remains that where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP. The reimbursement process is necessary to ensure that refunds are processed correctly.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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619. To ask the Minister for Health the number of applications made for the reimbursement of costs for blood tests with a general practitioner in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of applications approved and paid out and the number refused; the current average waiting time for reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60451/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.