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O’Malley urges Dubliners to use new medical card ‘ready-reckoner’ website
O’Malley urges Dubliners to use new medical card ‘ready-reckoner’ website
March 7, 2006
Progressive Democrats TD Fiona O’Malley has urged Dubliners to go online to find out if they are eligible for a medical card or GP visit card.
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D. and the Tánaiste, Mary Harney, T.D. today (Tuesday) launched a new ‘ready-reckoner’ website, www.medicalcard.ie, to encourage members of the public to take-up the benefit.
Deputy O’Malley said that it was disappointing that so far just one in twenty people across the State who were eligible appeared to have applied for the medical card.
“When it comes to GP visit cards, there has only been a two per cent take-up in the Eastern region – that’s just 1,331 people out of an expected 76,980,” she said.
The Dun Laoghaire deputy said that the launch of this useful website followed recent improvements in the way in which people are assessed for medical cards and GP visit cards. Income guidelines were increased by 29% in the last year - the largest increase in 30 years.
The website, www.medicalcard.ie, allows applicants to fill in some basic details in an easy-to-use calculator which will then give an indication as to whether they are eligible. She said in some circumstances younger members of the family could assist their elders by getting involved in the process.
Deputy O’Malley said assessments were now based on net income with all reasonable outgoings on rent or mortgage, childminding or childcare and the costs of travel to work now fully allowable on top of the basic guidelines.
A single application can be made for a medical card or a GP visit card.
Meanwhile, speaking at today’s launch in Dublin, the Taoiseach said, “The increase in the income guidelines means many more people are now entitled to a medical card or a GP visit card. I want people to get the benefits that are there for them. No-one should be put off visiting their GP or bringing their child to the doctor because of cost. The new GP card will help people who wouldn't normally qualify for a traditional medical card. This new website is designed to assist people to quickly calculate for themselves if they qualify. I would urge people to log on to www.medicalcard.ie to check their eligibility and get information that will help them to apply for the cards from the HSE.”
The Tánaiste said, "We're at the early days in terms of applications for the new GP visit card and we want to raise awareness of this new benefit. So far, about 10,000 people have the new card. The government has provided funding for 200,000 people to avail of the new benefit. We are launching this website to encourage more people to apply.
GPs are able to deal with the great majority of people's everyday health needs. They are the first point of contact for health advice and treatment for most people. Many people may not realise that they are now eligible for these important benefits. There may be other outgoings such as medical expenses which could cause financial hardship for a family or individual. The HSE can take this into account as well. I would appeal to anybody who may be facing difficulty in meeting the costs of their visits to the doctor to contact their local HSE to see if they’re entitled to a card. The full list of local HSE offices and their contact numbers are on the website."
People can also call the HSE at 1850 24 1850, stop into a local HSE office, or go to www.hse.ie.
The website, www.medicalcard.ie, is funded by Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats jointly.
For further details please contact Mary Minihan on 087 1225140 or Jerry O’Connor on 0879171060.