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The HSE has launched an online Medical Card/GP Visit card application service which will see a 15 day turnaround for medical card applications.
In the past people had to make a written application to find out if they were eligible, a process that could have taken months. Now with the launch of medicalcard.ie people can find out it they will get a medical card or a GP Visit Card online in minutes. “It is another example of the very progressive approach being adopted by our Primary Care Reimbursement Service to improve services to the public and reduce costs,” Professor Drumm added. Users will be able to call the lo-call phone number 1890-252-919 if they need assistance when using the site. People will also continue to be able to apply for medical cards and discretionary medical cards in their local health offices. The online application is a straightforward process that allows people to complete their medical card application form online and submit this to the HSE’s central office at the PCRS for processing. They will receive their new medical card in the post within 15 days. 2. Status of Application Using the unique reference number now provided to each applicant when their application is received people will be able to track the status of their application by text message advising the application is ‘in progress’. Users can text as regularly as they wish to track their application. 3. Status of Card Users can determine the eligibility status of any medical card. This service is typically used by primary care contractors such as Doctors, Pharmacists and HSE staff to check the current eligibility status of a medical card. 4. Contact Us This function on the website provides a feedback facility for members of the public to provide feedback and ideas to us. It also provides follow up and enquiry service for all those whose card application is being processed centrally by PCRS. All enquiries will be responded to within 48 hours. Where an application is being processed by a Local Health Office, the user will be provided with contact details for their Local Health Office where they can get further information on their application. Approximately 1 out of 10 applications for a medical card do not meet the criteria under the income threshold but other circumstances may mean they are eligible for a medical card. These applications are much more complex and require a more detailed assessment of the individuals circumstances before a card is issued. As such it is not possible for these applications to be completed online, but by visiting the website an applicant can determine quickly if they fall into this category. They can simply check the income threshold link and calculate if they are over the limit, or they can go through the application process, which will confirm whether or not they are under the income threshold. If they are over the income threshold but believe that there are other circumstances that should be considered they can apply to their local health office in the normal way. Pictured are Patrick Burke, Head of the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) and Professor Brendan Drumm, CEO of the HSE at the launch of www.medicalcard.ie. |
Tuesday, 15 June 2010 09:40
the gateway to a whole host of services, free GP visits, free medicines, free dental care as well as a number of other services such as all Inpatient Public Hospital Services in a Public Ward (including Consultant Services), all Outpatient Public Hospital Services in a Public Ward (including Consultant Services), Maternity and Infant Care Services, Ophthalmic and Aural Services,” said Professor Drumm.