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Medical Cards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Ceisteanna (2560)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

2560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the speed of processing of medical cards can be increased to eliminate anxieties particularly amongst persons with a serious or life threatening illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38118/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Medical Card Unit (NMCU) has responsibility for the processing of medical card applications. A key performance indicator within the NMCU is the processing of Medical Card and GP Visit Card applications within 15 working days of receipt of a completed application. Prior to the onset of the recent cyber-attack on the HSE, 99.63% of all applications received by the NMCU were processed within a 15 working day turnaround.

However, regarding persons suffering from serious medical conditions, it should be noted that the HSE has a system in place for the provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e. in circumstances where persons are in need of urgent or on-going medical care that they cannot afford and also for persons who are terminally ill and are receiving end of life treatment (prognosis of 12 months or less). These medical cards are issued, even throughout the unprecedented challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, within 24 hours of receipt of the required medical report and a completed application form from a healthcare professional.

Furthermore, despite the temporary downtime of online medical card services as a result of the recent cyber-attack on the HSE in May this year, emergency and urgent medical card applications still continued to be processed, albeit initially by fax and later via email. This ensured that critically ill persons were not prevented from applying for a medical card despite the significant technical challenges being experienced by the HSE at that time. The National Medical Card Unit call centre also remained fully operational during the downtime and successfully assisted those with queries on applications and the eligibility process.

The HSE have now successfully restored web-enabled services and medical and GP visit card applications can once again be submitted online or alternatively by post to the National Medical Card Unit. Individuals who may have a query about their application or eligibility status should check online with the HSE or contact the National Medical Card Unit helpline, which is fully operational on 1890 252 919 for further information and assistance.

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