What are GP-only cards? This is a form of medical card first proposed by the Government last November that would entitle patients to free GP care. However, they would have to pay for drugs and medicines prescribed.
Who will benefit from these cards? Like conventional medical cards, eligibility for the GP-only cards will be based on income. Families and individuals with incomes of up to 25 per cent over the existing medical card eligibility threshold will qualify.
The Government believes that up to 200,000 people will benefit from the cards.
Why did the Government not just give everyone a conventional medical card? The Government said last year that its priority was to improve access to GP services for people on low incomes.
However, it was concerned at the costs involved, particularly in relation to drugs, and believed that far more people would benefit from a new scheme covering doctor visits only.
Why have the doctor-only cards not been implemented to date? GP members of the IMO voted last month to operate the new scheme on foot of a €93 million deal on a range of issues brokered by the Labour Relations Commission. In return for operating the doctor-only cards, GPs were to receive a capitation increase. Essentially the new row is over how much GPs should be paid for treating patients with doctor-only cards when they reach the age of 70.