I propose to take Questions Nos. 724 and 725 together.
Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. An application for a medical card must be signed off by a GP who may provide information on the applicant's medical status.
Where an applicant is over the income threshold applicable to them to qualify for a medical card their application is considered on discretionary grounds. In order for discretionary medical circumstances to be taken into consideration, a medical report is required. Where an applicant has indicated on their application that there are discretionary medical circumstances present, and where no medical report has been provided, PCRS will issue a medical report to that applicant for completion and return.
In certain circumstances, where it is considered necessary to make a final assessment of an application for medical card/GP Visit Card eligibility, PCRS may request further detail in the form of an additional medical report.
If, at any time after a decision on their application is reached, an individual feels there has been a change in their circumstances material to their medical card eligibility, that person may submit to PCRS a new medical card application complete with all relevant supporting documentation, including an up-to-date medical report where appropriate. A new assessment of their eligibility will then be undertaken on the basis of the information provided.