Paul McAuliffe
Question:334. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on a situation (details supplied) regarding the medical card. [9773/20]
View answerTuesday, 9 June 2020
Questions (334, 335)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:335. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the reason patients with a medical card that pay to attend a particular general practitioner out of choice are not entitled to have prescribed medicines covered by the medical card. [9774/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.
The Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical cards) and limited eligibility. Full eligibility is determined primarily by reference to income limits. Determination of an individuals eligibility status is the responsibility of the HSE.
Individuals with full eligibility can access a range of services including General Practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultant services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultant services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances and a maternity and infant care service.Individuals with limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including consultant services, subject to certain charges. Other services such as allied healthcare professional services may also be made available to persons with limited eligibility.
A General Practitioner (GP) Visit Card provides for eligible individuals to visit a participating GP service without fees and also covers visits to GP out-of-hours service. GP's are independent practitioners, many of whom hold contracts with the HSE for the provision of services to medical card and GP visit card holders. It should be noted that all individuals over the age of 70 are automatically eligible for a GP visit card.
Individuals with full eligibility who access services from a GP who holds a GMS Contract with the HSE are eligible to have their prescribed medicines provided free subject to the application of the prescription charge. Persons who elect to attend a GP that does not hold a contract with the HSE may apply to avail of the Drugs Payment Scheme which provides for a maximum payment of €124 per month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for themselves and/or their family. This scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.