Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
320. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if refunds are available for those that were charged for an over the phone consultation with their doctor regarding potential Covid-19 before the decision was made to waive fees for such consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/20]
View answerRecognising that general practitioner services, in their totality, have a key role in the collective efforts to contain and mitigate the impact on public health during the current COVID-19 public health emergency, a number of measures were put in place to support general practice. These measures included payment of a fee of €30 by the HSE to GPs for the provision of remote consultations to patients who may have contracted COVID-19 infection, including referral for testing if clinically required in line with the latest clinical algorithm. This fee which came into effect on 16 March is payable in respect of all patients, regardless of eligibility status. Refunds are not available for COVID-19 related phone consultations prior to 16 March.
