Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 November 2013
213. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if the geographic location of an applicant is considered as a criteria for the assessment of a discretionary medical card; if he will provide the detail of such weighting, if any, for each designated geographic area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49918/13]
View answerThe HSE's National Assessment Guidelines for a medical card or GP visit card state that the ‘exercise of discretion by the HSE, in favour of the applicant, should be considered where meeting the costs of services covered by a medical card or a GP visit card compromises the applicant’s or his/her family’s ability to meet the essential costs associated with:
- maintenance of employment
- provision of reasonable housing
- provision of appropriate nurturing and care for children or dependants
- provision of adequate heating, nutrition and clothing, or
- coping with exceptional personal and financial burdens arising from medical or social circumstances."
In conducting this assessment, the Guidelines state that the following issues be taken account of on an application:
- Illness or medical circumstances which results in financial hardship.
- The cost of providing general medical and surgical services.
- The cost associated with the provision of medical, nursing and dental treatment.
- The cost of physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.
- Transport cost to hospitals and clinics.
- Addictions such as drink, drugs and gambling.
- Poor money management.
- Social deprivation – including poor home management.
- The cost of medical aids and appliances.
The HSE will give equal consideration to each of the above factors that present on an application in deciding whether to approve that application for grant of a medical card on grounds of ‘undue hardship’/’undue burden’ in the arranging of GP services by an applicant for himself/herself and dependants.
The decision maker may make appropriate inquiries or seek advice from other sources to assist with coming to a decision on ‘undue hardship’/’undue burden’, including the applicant’s doctor, Social Worker, Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the HSE’s Medical Officers.
I trust the above reply clarifies the circumstances, in addition to income, taken into account in deciding whether to approve medical card eligibility on discretionary grounds.
