Sandra McLellan
Question:407. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if patients with terminal illness are subject to a means test to qualify for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51488/13]
View answerTuesday, 3 December 2013
Questions (407)
Written answers
No means test is applied to a person reporting end stage terminal illness. All that is required is that a medical report be submitted to the HSE verifying the person's condition. On receipt of the report confirmation, a medical card issues within 24 hours to the person concerned for a period of six months. Moreover, it is open to the person concerned or their parents, in the case of a card issuing to a child, to make a full application for medical card eligibility before the expiry of the initial six month period of eligibility.
In any event, renewal assessment forms automatically issue to the holders of all medical card or GP visit cards, three months prior to the expiry date of the card. Medical cards approved based on a full eligibility assessment are granted for a period of two years before being subjected to review assessment to determine continuing eligibility.
Questions Nos. 408 to 410, inclusive, answered with Question No. 398.