Medical Card Benefit

[trojan]

If you are over 70 entitled to free GP visits and are happy to pay the monthly contribution of 138 euro approx re medicines is there any major benefit in trying to get a medical card if you are over the income thresholds

 

[gipimann]

Medical card holders don't have to pay the daily in-patient hospital charge, currently 75 euro per day, I think.

 

[Protocol]

There are four fees associated with h/care in Ireland

GP fees
Pharmacy
ED fee = 100
In-patient charge = 80

The med card means you avoid all of these, bar 2.50? per prescription.

Your GP visit card avoids the first fee.

 

[AlbacoreA]

Lot of physical, mobility and similar aids are available through the HSE with the medical card. They are not if you don't have it. You have to source them yourself.

Which apart from the expense, is a really kick in the teeth for a elderly person who is sick.

 

[Black Sheep]

The income threshold for medical cards for over 70's are very clear and the cut-off point is strictly applied. So if your income from all sources is over the threshold it would be pointless to apply.
Just be sure you have done the calculations re income savings etc correctly

 

[AlbacoreA]

If your income is above the limit, you may still be able to obtain a medical card if your circumstances would result in hardship without one. This is sometimes called a discretionary medical card.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/medical_cards_and_gp_visit_cards/medical_card.html

From what I've heard, its nigh impossible to get a discretionary one.