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Hospital Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Questions (780, 781, 784, 785)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

780. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the circumstances under which medical card patients are exempt from charges for phlebotomy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23162/22]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

781. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a clear definition and operational guideline is available for phlebotomy services charges in cases in which the tests assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition; the guidance that is available on this from the HSE; the way that general practitioners decide on if the tests assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23163/22]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

784. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cardiovascular disease patients with medical cards, including stroke patients, who are part of the general practitioner chronic disease management programme are being charged for blood tests in the context of the monitoring of their condition; if he will address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23166/22]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

785. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when he intends to raise the issue of phlebotomy services charges for medical card holders with the relevant general practitioner representative body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23167/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 780, 781, 784 and 785 together.

Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.

The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services (blood tests) is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should taken to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition are made by the GP concerned. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for such blood tests. In addition, blood tests undertaken in the context of services provided under the GP Chronic Disease Management programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care. 

The issue has been raised previously with the relevant GP representative body.  However, it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances. It is intended to raise this issue again at an appropriate time.

Where 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, or has been charged for a blood test provided under the Chronic Disease Management programme, 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.

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