Written Answers Nos. 744-756
744. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the remedy available to persons who have made a claim or who believe that medical practitioners fraudulently claimed for expenses in relation to their case; the action they can take regarding same; and his plans to reform the system. [22341/14]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to claims by medical practitioners in respect of treatments paid for by private health insurers.
I do not have a role in the day to day operations of any private health insurance company. However, it is my understanding that each of the private health insurance companies has its own procedures in place to investigate instances where over-charging of customers for hospital treatments is identified and notified to the insurer.
Customers of private health insurers should contact their private health insurance company in the first instance if they are not satisfied with their statements or if their insurer has been charged for accommodation or treatments not received. It is then a matter for the private health insurer to ensure that necessary steps are taken to investigate and deal appropriately with the issues identified.
I have emphasised the importance of cost control in relation to private health insurers. The independent report prepared by Pat McLoughlin deals extensively with this matter, including the need for insurers to co-operate on addressing fraud, waste and abuse. Mr. McLoughlin's second and final report is expected during June.
745. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if the necessary funding will be provided for a fair deal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22342/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
746. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the lifelong monitoring programme that is in place for thyroid cancer survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22343/14]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
747. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision to remove a medical card from a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22344/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
748. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 644 of 25 February 2014, when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive. [22349/14]
View answerI understand that the Health Service Executive issued a final reply to parliamentary question No. 644 on Monday, 26 May 2014.
749. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he has received indications of concerns from general practitioners in the matter of medical cards for children under six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22356/14]
View answer801. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including in the medical practitioner’s contract with the Health Service Executive a stipulation that the contracted doctors update twice yearly the medical conditions of all medical card holders to the medical card section. [22646/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 749 and 801 together.
The Government is committed to introducing a universal GP service without fees, on a phased basis, within its term of office. As announced in the Budget, the Government has decided to commence the roll-out of universal GP services by providing all children under six years with access to a GP service without fees.
In addition to a requirement for primary legislation, the introduction of this service will require a new contractual framework to be put in place between the HSE and individual general practitioners. In this regard, a draft contract is currently the subject of a consultation process. While there has been some negative reaction to the draft contract, I am pleased that the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), the primary representative body for general practitioners, has confirmed that it is supportive of Government policy to introduce GP care free at the point of access, albeit conditional on the provision of adequate resources and full and meaningful negotiations with the IMO.
I have recently met with the IMO on a number of occasions on a without prejudice basis, with a view to exploring potential frameworks which could lead to a meaningful and comprehensive process of engagement in relation to the under 6 contract. These talks have been useful and if agreement can be reached, the Department/HSE and the IMO would then be in a position to commence a process of engagement on the proposed contract.
The feasibility of issues such as contracted doctors liaising with the HSE’s centralised medical card section in relation to the medical needs of GMS patients can be explored in that context.
750. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health the exact nature of the services the Health Service Executive intends to provide at the Bettystown Primary Care Centre, which is expected to be opened in quarter 4 of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22363/14]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
751. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing the medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied); if the person will be compensated for the financial costs to them for their GP visits and prescription costs for the time they have been without their card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22368/14]
View answerI am advised by the HSE that refund claims from clients are processed on a case by case basis.
Applicants who feel they have incurred medical costs as a result of undue delay on the part of PCRS in processing their medical card application may submit a request for a refund enclosing the relevant receipts for consideration.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
752. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22369/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
754. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national plan for rare diseases; when it is likely to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/14]
View answerThe plan is almost finalised and is being prepared for publication as soon as possible.
755. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount the Health Service Executive collected through the D-Doc service charge in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22400/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
756. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the long-term illness scheme in order that it would also cover GP visits; his views on the possible introduction of a third-tier medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22405/14]
View answerPersons suffering from prescribed conditions can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
Minister Reilly and I recognise the difficulties currently faced by those who are considered ineligible for a medical card. To this end, at Minister Reilly's request, the HSE is currently examining how individuals, who are not entitled to a medical card, could still receive services that meet their needs. This examination relates to all of the services and supports provided by the HSE and with regard to as much flexibility as is available at a local level.
In addition, additional information will be provided and local information points will be established at major health centres around the country, where members of the public can obtain comprehensive information and support in accessing the full range of supports from the Health Services. The objective is to maximise the supports available for patients and families.
Appropriate notice is also being considered as part of this review for existing medical card holders who may no longer be eligible on renewal - but where serious medical conditions or profound disability continues to exist in the household.
The clear intention is to maximise the supports that can be provided in each case to the fullest extent possible. The HSE is seeking to find the best way to achieve this in order to ensure families will receive the support they need.
I look forward to seeing these proposals.
