Appealing a GP Visit Card

donegalgirl28

Hi guys,

Right so the story is my mother who got the medical card for most of her life as she's on Disability, when it came to get renewed last October, she only got a GP visit card even though we mentioned in the special circumstances that an investigation into her sickness was ongoing. The sickness she had meant she was back and forth from GP to hospital.

So anyways, my Mum didn't really understand the difference between the two cards but she was taken into hospital since last Tuesday and she has been diagnosed with cancer. My mum lives with me (I'm on DA too) and she works part time but has not worked in the past month and half cos she was too sick. She doesn't get any sick pay and doesn't qualify for Illness Benefit.

So now I'm getting worried, cos I went to find her card and it was only a GP Visit Card, not a Medical Card. We can't afford to pay for her hospital treatment at all as we're struggling enough to pay rent and bills and whatnot.

So is there anyway I can appeal the card and get a full medical one? She used to get the full Medical one for 10-15 years but last October it was switched. Getting really worried that I'll end up with a hospital bill of €20k or more and we can't afford it.

Kristopherus

If she was refused a full Medical Card, she would have got a letter explaining how the calculation was reached. What she should now do is get a medical report from her GP, giving broad details of the nature of the illness. For illnesses like you Mum's the HSE usually takes a very sympathetic view of ant application or appeal. By the way is she dealing with the Local HSE Office or the Dublin Office? Don't worry about huge medical bill just yet. The most she will have to pay is €75 per day subject to a Maximum of €750 in a year.

donegalgirl28

Hmmm, I'll try and look for the letter. It says DV written across the card, what does that mean?

Will I have to pay for the scans/biopsys/chemo on top of that €75 per day?

Trish2007

Firstly I just want to say that Im sorry to hear about your mother and I hope her recovery is quick.

Secondly, dont be worrying about hospital charges. Your mother is entitled to free medical treatment whilst she is in hospital. As stated above the most that she will have to pay for in patient services is 750 euro, and this can be negotiated with the hospital if the money isnt there to pay for it.

Whilst your mother is in the hospital you should submit another application for a medical card for her, get doctors report stating the treatment she is to receive once she is at home.

Kristopherus

donegalgirl28 wrote: »

Hmmm, I'll try and look for the letter. It says DV written across the card, what does that mean?

Will I have to pay for the scans/biopsys/chemo on top of that €75 per day?

No, not unless she decides to go private. Then the charges will go into overdrive !

donegalgirl28

Thanks guys,

You'd really helped me out here. Was expecting a bill of like €20k or something but €750 is not too bad and we can afford it somehow but will definitely be appealing the card first.