Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.

Noel Ahern

Question:

151 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which applications from persons reaching age 70 seeking medical cards are being considered; if means testing is still applied to examine which category the applicant is in; if general practitioners receive the same payment for all; if two prices still apply vis-à-vis the traditional rate and over 70 rate; and if he will instruct health boards accordingly as there appears to be potential waste in this regard. [10912/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Automatic eligibility to a medical card was granted to persons on reaching the age of 70 years as a result of the budget provision announced in December 2000 and effective from July 1 2001.

Any person who seeks a medical card, for himself or herself, for the first time, in the community, under this age-related provision does not have his or her means assessed. If, however, they wish to have dependants, who have not reached the age of 70 years, included in the medical card cover, a separate application must be made where details of income would be required for the assessment. The person aged 70 years continues to be eligible for a medical card in their own right irrespective of the assessment.

General practitioners are paid a capitation rate on a sex-age related basis for all patients. In the case of the persons who have not previously held a medical card and who acquire automatic eligibility on reaching the age of 70 under the new arrangement, general practitioners are paid at a separate higher rate. This arrangement reflects the agreed outcome of the industrial relations negotiations between the HSEA and the Irish Medical Organisation.

All health boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the General Medical Services (Payments) Board are familiar with these arrangements.

Noel Ahern

Question:

152 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide an update on his previous agreement to refund amounts spent on medication to persons over 70 who did not get their medical cards for two to three months after the 1 July 2001 implementation date; if he has given approval to health boards to make appropriate refunds; and the reason for the delay in giving approval. [10913/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The issuing of refunds to persons who did not have their medical cards was not a problem throughout all boards.

Officials from my Department have been in contact with the other boards advising them of the ad hoc arrangement being applied by the boards who have dealt with the matter.