Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Health

To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the problems being experienced by users trying to use the new online medical card application system; if these issues are being dealt with, in order to bring about the kind of efficiencies and savings upon which the Croke Park agreement is predicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply

The Health Service Executive centralised the processing of all new medical card applications and renewals at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) with effect from 1st July 2011.
The Executive has stated that completed medical card applications are processed within 15 working days. Delays occur where applications are submitted without the supporting documentation necessary to complete the processing of the application. The PCRS currently processes and issues approximately 15,000 medical cards each week. Over 85% of complete applications are processed within 15 working days and PCRS are working to achieve the goal of processing all complete applications within 15 working days.
In 2010, as part of the centralisation project, the HSE introduced a new website, www.medicalcard.ie, which enables people anywhere in the country to apply for, or renew a medical card through a simple and efficient application process. Thousands of applications are now submitted online every month. Applying online also gives applicants access to up-to-date information on the progress of their medical card renewal or application.
The scale of the project by its nature means that confusion can arise from time to time in the early stages. As such issues arise they are dealt with as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, such issues can cause delays in the processing of some applications. I have raised my concerns directly with the PCRS and I expressed my dissatisfaction that such delays have occurred. However, I understand that every effort is being made to accommodate applicants and to minimise delays.