Dear All
Some of you may be interested to know that the maximum ceiling for the recently introduced GP Visit Card in Ireland has today been increased to 50% above the maximum level at which individuals would qualify for a Medical Card. (The medical card essentially provides free of charge access to most medical services including primary care). Until recently pretty much all those without a Medical Card would have to pay a fee for every visit to a GP. (Coverage of these payments under private insurance schemes has been relatively modest). Those who qualify for the recently intrdouced GP Visit card now do not have to pay a charge to visit their GP - this is significant as these GP charges can be pretty high - anecdotally often well over 60 Euro.
Uptake of the new card appears to be progessing slowly as acknowledged by the Department of Health and Children. Around 18000 people now have the card - while there is funding to cover 200,000 people.
More information on the new rules are available at
http://www.dohc.ie/press/releases/2006/20060626.html
Best wishes
David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
|