Vol. 555 No. 2
260 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which the GMS scheme works; the amount doctors get paid under the scheme; the way in which it is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17886/02]
The GMS scheme provides for the medical treatment of persons deemed eligible to avail of these services by the local health board. With the exception of persons aged 70 years and over who have a statutory entitlement to a medical card without a means test, determination of eligibility is primarily based on the assessment of the means and medical need of each applicant and is, by legislation, the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the local health board. Primary care services are provided by general practitioners who hold GMS contracts with the local health boards. Payment to these doctors is on an age and sex related capitation rate basis. The following rates were applicable at 31 December 2001:
|
Ages |
Up to 3 milesMaleFemale |
3-4 MilesMaleFemale |
5-7 MilesMaleFemale |
7-10 MilesMaleFemale |
Over 10 milesMaleFemale |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Up to 4 |
60.36 58.94 |
63.41 62.03 |
67.92 66.55 |
72.39 71.03 |
77.94 76.54 |
|
5-15 |
36.21 36.58 |
37.48 37.85 |
39.32 39.76 |
41.14 41.56 |
43.41 43.77 |
|
16-44 |
45.44 72.53 |
47.08 74.15 |
49.51 76.58 |
51.91 78.58 |
54.83 81.90 |
|
45-64 |
87.95 96.37 |
91.89106.12 |
97.72111.89 |
103.46111.89 |
110.61119.00 |
|
65-69 |
92.51102.87 |
103.47113.87 |
119.76130.12 |
135.75146.13 |
155.64166.04 |
|
70 and over |
95.43106.11 |
106.71117.44 |
123.56134.24 |
140.06150.79 |
160.58171.33 |
The capitation rate for persons aged 70 years and over, receiving a medical card, for the first time in the community is €462.16 per annum. A capitation rate of €669.79 per annum is payable for patients in health board approved private nursing homes for a continuous period of in excess of six weeks. These particular rates reflect the outcome of industrial relations negotiations between my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation, the representative organisation of the doctors involved. All rates are adjusted in line with national wage agreements.
Further details about payments to general practitioners are available on the website of the GMS(Payments) Board @ www.gmspb.ie, and the GMS contract circulars are posted on the GPIT website @ www.gpit.ie/egms.
