Noel Ahern
Question:122 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health whether he has revised the regulations for the granting and renewal of medical cards to persons over 70 years; and if he will give details of the revised arrangements. [14458/96]
Written Answers. - Medical Card Regulations.
Limerick East): Entitlement to health services in Ireland is based on means. Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of medical card eligibility is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable, without undue hardship to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. It should be noted that these guidelines are higher for persons aged 66-79 and higher again for those aged 80 and over. In addition these guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, that person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.
Assessment procedures are also a matter for the chief executive officers of the health boards. A review group on medical card entitlement established by the chief executive officers is at present examining the effectiveness and efficiency of the arrangements for granting and renewal of medical cards. In particular the review group is considering the manner in which medical card eligibility is reviewed. It is expected that the group will bring forward proposals shortly which will include revised arrangements for persons aged 66 and over.