Half a million more people will be getting a GP Visit Card soon after the Government announced changes in eligibility.
Now, children aged 6 and 7 and all of those earning no more than the median income will be able to access GP care without charges. In total, approximately 500,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible under this expansion - 78,000 children aged 6 and 7, and 430,000 adults.
Speaking outside the Government Buildings ahead of Cabinet earlier today, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly explained: “The median household income of €47,000 is after some big reductions. So it’s after rent, it’s after mortgages, it’s after childcare, and it’s after a few other things like house insurance as well and we’ll make the details of that available.
This measure represents the largest expansion in access to GP care without charges in the history of the State. Under the terms of the agreement, the extension of GP Visit Cards to children aged 6 and 7 will commence on August 11. The extension of cards to those who earn the median household income or less will commence on September 11 and will be completed in two phases, September 11 and November 13.
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Below you can find who is eligible and how to apply.
What will the new income thresholds be? Who will be in the first group?
The weekly income threshold for a single person living alone will increase from €304 to €361 in the first phase, and then to €418 in the second.
The weekly income threshold for a single person living with family will increase from €271 to €322 in the first phase and to €373 in the second.
The weekly income threshold for a couple with or without dependent(s) will increase from €441 to €524 in the first phase and to €607 in the second. An allowed amount per dependent is added to the threshold for a couple with dependent(s)
Similarly, the weekly income threshold for a lone parent will increase from €441 to €524 in the first phase and to €607 in the second.
The income thresholds for those over 66 will, following the changes, be the same level as for those under 66 – the thresholds for those aged under 66 are currently lower than the thresholds for those aged over 66.
The eligibility criteria for over those over 70 will not change.
How can people apply?
Applications for GP Visit Cards for children aged 6 and 7 will be processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) PCRS in the same way as the current under 6 applications, via their online portal.
The HSE will also open a dedicated portal for those applying for GP Visit Cards on the basis of income. This system will allow the processing of the large volume of applications expected and ensure applicants receive their cards in as timely a fashion as possible.
Applicants will make a declaration of their income and outgoings. The same expenses (housing costs, transportation, etc.) as are currently set against income in Medical or GP Visit Card applications will continue to apply. Where necessary, the HSE may seek additional information and copies of documents to support applications.
There will be an information campaign ahead of the opening of applications to provide further information to the public.
The package also sees the enhanced capitation rates for other children up to the age of 12 to bring them into line with the fees for children aged 6 and 7. As well as that, there will be an increase of 10 per cent in the capitation rates payable for patients aged from 13 to 69 years of age, and improvements in payments relating to the provision of contraception services under the GMS.
The deal also includes provision to permit the expansion of the Chronic Disease Management Programme to include hypertension and women who suffered from gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.
The agreement with the IMO will also put in place a series of capacity supports to allow GPs to recruit additional staff, as well as increases in fees to take account of the likely increase in demand for services. The total financial package will amount to approximately €130 million in a full year.
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