General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2012

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Questions (557)

David Stanton

Question:

557. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health regarding the GP GMS capitation contracts, if any procedure exists whereby when a medical card holder dies the Exchequer can recoup part of the capitation paid to a general practitioner in respect of this person for a full year; the procedures in place for general practitioners to notify the Health Service Executive and his Department of a death of a medical card holder for whom they receive a capitation payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41817/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Since centralisation of the processing of medical cards, the HSE has in place a system for the processing of death information based on the Death Event Publication Service (DEPS). Where there is a death notification, eligibility is removed immediately upon receipt and capitation is recouped to date of death. The HSE has also enhanced the systems that underpin the list of Medical Card clients. GPs are now enabled to update the register upon the death of a patient.