Medical Card Renewal

PurpleVintage

Heya, long story short my card expired on the 30th of March. I sent my renewal form on the 24th/25th of March. After a full month and a half of not hearing anything back I emailed them and was informed that not only did they not recieve my renewal application, that I would have to wait until my father's card expires before they check if i'm still eligible considering i'm still dependant.

That's fine and all, but 3 problems. My dayd's card expires in July (I'm guessing the END of July?). I injured my finger really badly (cut it) and not only is it swollen even 2 months after, I can't feel parts of it anymore, it just sends a numb shiver up my finger. No other sensation at all. Thirdly, I am having severe lower abdominal pain. I get this every now and then (always shrug it off), but this time it's really bad. My stomach is extremely bloated, and it hurts when I talk, cough or just sit. I dont know if its an appendicitis so i'm a bit worried .
Anything I can do to speed up the process of getting a medical card back? I wont be covered by the medical card if I need to go the hospital (if it happens to be an appendicitis) while my medical card is being renewed, right?

Thanks.

Pingi

Firstly If you think you might have appendicitis go to the Dr, worry about payment later. A doctors letter saying you are in urgent need can help speed up the application.

Whats your situation unemployed or student? Were you a dependent of your fathers the last time you renewed your card?

mrsbyrne

Are you saying that you rang Medical Cards and they couldn't tell you if you are still covered?

PurpleVintage

I am currently unemployed.Was a student last year, and will be hopefully a student in September. Yes I have always been a dependent of my fathers' however, never had any problems with my renewal before.

No I didn't ring them as no one would answer, I have been in contact through emails and they refused to tell me anything about my application (or even confirm if I was still entitled) until my fathers' application went through to them which wont be until the end of July. I understand that they need to check if my dad is entitled to a medical card, and that my entitlement to it depends on his, but I don't understand why I can't just send them the documents they need, nor why it has become a problem now. I'm 20 going on 21, so i've been "overage" for a while now and never had issues.

Pingi

If your father hasn't re-applied yet he should asap. Forms really should be sent in at least a month before the card expires, if yours were in earlier they may have extended it while you waited but they cant extend it if runs out AFAIK.

Your eligibility will be based on his (financially, not medically) as you're a dependent. The part that doesn't add up is why your cards weren't for the same length of time in the first place. If you did have your forms in on time they could have only issued the card until July when you would have had to reapply again.

PurpleVintage

Yeah our card dates have never matched as far as I can remember. Mine has always expired first. I sent it 5 days before the expiration date because the first form I recieved was lost in the mail apparently, so I got my next one 10 days before it expired.
I guess i'll tell my dad to send the form in next week. Thanks for the help, I basically just wnted to know if I was still covered while waiting for the medical card but I guess the conclusion is i'm not (makes sense!).

Artificial Desemination

Your GP and Pharmacist should be able to tell you if your card is still valid. If not contact the HSE again, you should not be left in limbo like this.

Also, regarding your medical concerns, get them seen to urgently. Worry about the cost later - it will not be worth losing a finger over.