Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2013
254. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to address the backlog in the medical card appeals office; the actions being taken to speed up the length of time it takes the appeals office to inform persons of the appeal allowing them to reactivate a person's medical card for the duration of the appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41281/13]
View answerThe length of time it currently takes for medical card appeals to be processed may vary depending on the complexity of the appeal and this can average between 4 to 12 weeks. It is important to point out that many of these appeals cases are reviews of existing medical card holders and in that instance there is no immediate impact on the client as they continue to hold the medical card until the appeal decision is made. There is no significant delay on the part of the Appeals Service in advising PCRS of appeals received.
