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Medical Cards.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

Ceisteanna (245)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

364 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with medical card cover aged 70 and over in 1998 and in 2003; and the average cost of medical card cover for persons aged 70 and over compared to those aged under 70 in each of the respective years. [23232/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

According to information supplied in the annual reports of the General Medical Services (Payments) Board, the number of persons with medical card cover aged 70 and over in 2003 was 309,330. It is not possible to give a similar figure for 1998 as the data were not collected in that format at that time. However, the number of persons aged 65 years and over in 1998 was 298,682.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Year

1998

2003

65 years and over

Previous medical card holders — 70 years and over

Newly eligible at 70 years and over

70 years and over residing in a Private Nursing Home

Av. GP capitation payment per patient

106.38

135.86

480.66

696.58

Av. Pharmacy cost per patient

413.15

1,071.05

1,071.05

1,071.05

Av. total payment per patient

519.53

1,206.91

1,551.71

1,767.63

Average payment for all GMS patient age groups

Year

1998

2003

Av. GP capitation payment per patient

124.18

247.66

Av. Pharmacy cost per patient

231.82

561.82

Av. total payment per patient

356.00

809.48

It should be noted that the costs in the above tables relate to the GMS scheme only and do not include other entitlements such as dental and ophthalmic services.

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