Richard Bruton
Question:1501. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the free medical card to those over 80 years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42010/22]
View answerThursday, 8 September 2022
Questions (1501, 1786, 2049)
Richard Bruton
Question:1786. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the need to index the means test for the medical card or to make other improvements to assist access-to-need care and appliances for those currently not eligible but who are significantly affected by the rising cost of living. [43024/22]
View answerRichard Bruton
Question:2049. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase medical card limits for persons over the age of 70 years or to make it easier for such persons to qualify for medical appliances needed in older age. [44210/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1501, 1786 and 2049 together.
On 1 November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card. Also on that date, prescription charges under the GMS scheme were reduced for persons over 70. The charges were reduced to €1 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €10 per person or family per month.
In addition, the Deputy may be aware, that from August 2015, all persons aged 70 or over qualify for a GP visit card, regardless of income.
I can advise the Deputy that it is vitally important that the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. In that regard, my Department keeps medical card issues, including existing thresholds under review and any changes that may be required are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.
Some older persons may be eligible for the Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme where patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
The HSE provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, free of charge to eligible persons (such as medical card holders and people on the Long Term Illness scheme), following assessment by a relevant health professional. These aids and appliances are provided by the HSE through community services known as Community Funded Schemes. These allow people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and communities. Each Community Health Organisation (CHO) operates processes for the allocation of funding for medical and surgical aids and appliances. Each application within a CHO is assessed by the local Resource Allocation Group and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and funding availability within local budgets.
There are a wide range of services provided for older people including home supports, meals on wheels, day care and residential care, through direct service provision and through voluntary and private providers.
Home Support Services are delivered either directly by HSE employed staff, or on its behalf by a combination of private and Section 39 organisations (i.e. voluntary/not-for-profit) providers who operate under service agreements with the HSE. In 2021 some 20.4 million hours had been provided to over 55,000 people. The overall target set out in the NSP for 2022 is to provide 24.2 million hours of home support.
Access to day care can make an important contribution by providing invaluable support, advice and social interaction for older people, who may, for any number of reasons be experiencing isolation and loneliness and respite care is provided in a number of different ways and settings across the health system. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
Another scheme that assists people in avoiding excessive medical costs is the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS). The DPS provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS threshold was reduced to €80 per month on 1 March 2022. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.