Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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784. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 17 May 2022, when a review of the current eligibility framework of the long-term illness scheme, which includes the basis for existing hospital and medication charges will be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28116/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A review of the entire eligibility framework is to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. This is a large and multifaceted workstream within the Department of Health. It will have many stages and much scoping work has already been completed.  

The current priority has been looking at access to GP services and reviewing hospital and other charges. 

The LTI scheme will be included at a later stage of the review. As the review of the eligibility framework will be conducted as part of a move towards the provision of universal healthcare, the work will need to be completed in an appropriately robust manner.  

It is not possible to say at this juncture what the results of the specific review of the LTI scheme will be or when this will be completed. 

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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785. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 17 May 2022, if his attention has been drawn to the high costs associated with the ever-fluctuating severity and the long-term nature of Addison’s disease as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28117/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable healthcare to all. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical needs.

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products. The HSE also administers the General Medical Services scheme and the community drug schemes. The formal HSE Reimbursement list is the same for the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme and the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).. 

Under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the GMS scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.

In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses. 

In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge. GP visit cards do not cover charges for consultants, blood tests, visits to the Emergency Department, or the cost of prescribed medicines dispensed.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.