Automatic eligibility to a medical card was statutorily introduced for all persons aged 70 years and over, regardless of means, who sought the medical card for the first time in the community from 1 July 2001. This was announced on budget day in December 2000.
In order to access the GMS scheme, all persons must apply to their local health board for inclusion by completing and returning the requisite documentation. Services for medical card holders are provided by a range of suitably qualified health professionals, in a variety of settings, who hold contracts with the local health boards for the provision of these services.
It is not possible to choose to be a patient of a non-GMS contract holding general practitioner and qualify for the other attendant benefits of a medical card holder. Prescriptions, for instance, are issued by GMS doctors on prescription pads which bear the particular doctor's registration number.
During the course of industrial relations negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation, at the HSEA, prior to the 1 July 2001 start date, it was agreed by both parties that general practitioners who had not previously been GMS contract holders could apply for limited entry to the scheme thereby allowing them to continue to treat their patients in this age category. However, in order to qualify for a GMS contract the applicant doctor must satisfy various criteria including vocational training, as is required by an EU directive. It should also be remembered that general practitioners cannot be compelled to apply to be included in the GMS scheme if they do not wish to do so.
Since the circular issued by my Department in August 2001 reflects the agreed outcome of both parties, I do not have any plans to amend any section of it at present.
Question No. 466 withdrawn.
