Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
978. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned by the numbers presenting at constituency offices whose medical cards have been replaced by general practitioner cards who have not been taking their medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58053/12]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means of the applicant and his/her dependants. Where an applicant fails to qualify for a medical card, either as a first time applicant or under review, they are then considered for a GP visit card. Income limits for GP visit cards are 50% higher than those applying to medical cards.
Approximately 1.85 million people are covered by a medical card, an increase of almost 25% since the end of 2009. The cost of the General Medical Services scheme is estimated to have been approximately €1.9 billion in 2012.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
