The following is the full text of the press release issued last night by the Department of Health on eligibility for the "over-70s" medical card
The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD, today updated and simplified the means test arrangements to apply following the Governments decision on over-70s medical cards.
With her department and HSE officials she set the following information:
Government Budget Decision on "Over-70s" Medical Card
In the Budget, the Government decided to end the automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 and over with effect from January 1st, 2009.
This was done to ensure that public health funding is used to help those most in need.
Some people have a medical card as a result of a means test, others received a medical card automatically, without a means test, when they turned 70.
Who does this affect?
If you have a medical card as a result of a means test, this does not affect you. It doesn't matter what age you are, what means test you did, or when you did it.
Your medical card benefits are not affected.
You will not now be asked to do a new means test or written to by the HSE, as a result of the Budget decision.
If you are aged 70 or over and got a medical card without a means test, the Budget decision is important for you.
Your present medical card will expire on 31st December this year.
The HSE will write to you between October 31st and November 14th and ask you to complete a simple means test to decide the benefits you may receive.
You will be asked to return this form to the HSE within two weeks. On that basis, the HSE will be able to complete all assessments by December 31st this year.
Depending on the means test, you may qualify for a medical card, or a GP Visit Card, or the new Health Support Payment of €400 for a single person/€800 for a couple.
THE MEANS TEST
What will be the income limit for a medical card?
The income limit will be €240.30 (single) or €480.60 (couple). This is the same as the highest amount of a State contributory pension following the increase in the Budget.
If your sole income is €240.30 (single)/€480.60 (couple) or less, you will qualify for a medical card.
Other social welfare payments like the fuel allowance or the living alone allowance are not counted in the means test.
If you have income of more than €240.30 (single)/€480.60 (couple), you will be asked for some additional information.
The means test income amount is income after expenses. Full account is taken of real expenses you have, or can expect to have next year.
For example, rent/mortgage, GP costs, medicines costs, medical appliances, nursing home fees, maintenance payments you make, any income tax or PRSI you pay, any savings you have up to €36,000 (single)/€72,000 (couple) will not be counted in the means test.
Your family home will not be counted in the means test.
What will be the income limit for a GP Visit Card?
The GP Visit Card entitles you to free visits to your GP without limit.
The income limit will be €360.45 (single) or €720.90 (couple). This is 50 per cent higher than the income limit for the medical card.
If your sole income is €360.45 (single) or €720.90 (couple) or less, you will qualify for a GP Visit Card.
Other social welfare payments like the fuel allowance or the living alone allowance are not counted in the means test.
This income limit is also income after expenses. The same allowances and exemptions will apply as for the medical card means test.
Qualifying for the new Health Support Payment
If you do not qualify for a GP Visit Card, you can still qualify for the new Health Support Payment if your gross weekly income is less than €650 (single)/€1,300 (couple). The HSE will use the same means test form to assess this. You will not need to fill in another form. The Health Support Payment is €400 (single)/€800 (couple).
It will be paid annually. It will not require medical receipts. It will not be taxable.
Medical cards/GP Visit Cards on hardship grounds
Medical cards and GP Visit Cards may still be granted by the HSE to those not qualifying on a means test on particular hardship grounds.
Health contributions (health levy)
The health levy will not be payable by people aged 70 and over.