Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
572. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of people who lost access to a medical card due to pension increases in the last Budget; his Department's plans to pre-emptively address the issue in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20506/24]
View answerEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed information on medical card assessment process is available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie. In situations where a person’s sole income is derived from a social welfare payment, even where this payment is in excess of the current income thresholds, the person will be awarded a medical card.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. In 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 €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the current medical card income thresholds are kept under review and any changes that may be required would be considered in the context of broader Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant for consideration.
With regards to the number of medical card holders pre and post Budget last year, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
