Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:121. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22904/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 24 May 2018
Ceisteanna (121)
Freagraí scríofa
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. I am informed by the HSE that they have not received an application from the person concerned and I would advise that one should be submitted in order for the persons eligibility to be assessed.
It should be noted that the HSE's Expert Group on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. This position remains unchanged.
Therefore, medical card provision is based on financial assessment. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.
Nevertheless, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting information documentation to fully take account of all the relevant circumstances that may benefit them in the assessment, including medical evidence of cost and necessary expenses.