'Thousands missing out on free GP care'

The HSE has made the GP Visit card more accessible.

Thousands of people in Co Cavan are missing out on free medical care because they haven’t applied for a GP Visit card.

That's according to Senator Robbie Gallagher who also pointed out that thousands of people locally are entitled to the free medical care but because they don’t have the card, they are not saving the possible €75 a visit available under the scheme.

Meanwhile, the means test for a GP card entitling people to free visits to their doctor was eased last year. Senator Gallagher says that the aim was to extend the benefit to about 430,000 people but so far just under 39,000 people aged eight to 69 have received a GP visit card.

“Around 20,350 people received the GP visit card after applying directly,” continued the local Senator. “Another 18,643 were given one after first seeking a medical card, which has a more stringent means test.

“However, they found they were eligible for a GP visit card instead. Thousands of parents of children aged six and seven, who were extended automatic entitlement to a GP visit card last August, have not availed of one, although take-up is high.

"Around 78,000 children were estimated to be in this age bracket, and figures show 71,555 of those have been granted a card.” Senator Gallagher went on to say that the Minister asked the HSE to make the application process simpler but despite this, take-up remains slow.

“Anyone who is given a card will be assigned a GP if they fail to get on the books of a family doctor,” he continued. “It’s possible that you may qualify for a GP visit card even if the amount of money you earn is high. If your expenses are also high, you could still qualify.

“If a person is single, their first €36,000 of savings, investments or property is not assessed, and for a married couple it is €72,000. Allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, childcare costs, commuter costs, maintenance payments, the cost of private nursing-home care, mortgage protection and life assurance for mortgage protection.”