Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
283. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is a process by which a person who holds a medical card who has paid privately for cataract surgery due to long waiting lists can claim reimbursement from the State in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Adults with full eligibility can access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultants’ services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants’ services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, and maternity and infant care service.
Persons with limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including Consultant services, Emergency Department or minor injury care, are subject to certain charges. Other services such as allied healthcare professional services may also be made available to persons with limited eligibility.
Where a person accesses private healthcare in Ireland there is no facility for the cost of that care to be reimbursed by the public health system.
