Patricia Ryan
Question:550. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will include all blood tests in the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41080/20]
View answerTuesday, 8 December 2020
Questions (550, 557)
Brendan Griffin
Question:557. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason general practitioners are being permitted to charge medical card holders for blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41135/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 557 together.
Persons who are eligible for GP care without charge under the Health Act 1970 are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition and the HSE has advised GPs accordingly. This has been advised to GPs by the HSE.
The GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in from this year will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.