Medical Card Eligibility

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Questions (113)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the grounds on which 50,277 medical cards were withdrawn in the first three months of this year; the savings achieved as a result of their withdrawal; and the projected target of savings from medical card reviews and withdrawals for 2014. [24046/14]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

On 1 January 2014 there were 1,849,380 individuals covered by a medical card. On 31 March 2014, the number of individuals covered was 1,799,103. This means there has been a reduction in the register of 50,277. I have asked the HSE to provide the details directly to the Deputy.

All medical cards are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility. The change in the number of existing cards will be dependent on the extent of ineligibility detected. It is important to note that where a medical card is withdrawn, it is not withdrawn due on the cost implications for the HSE. In accordance with the Health Acts, a medical card can only be withdrawn due to eligibility not having been established.

I can advise the Deputy that probity measures are estimated to yield €23m in savings in 2014.