Medical card questions

Fogmatic

Just a couple of things I haven't been able to clarify, having trawled the official websites!

1) An upcoming 70th birthday will qualify me for a doctor visit card, and maybe a medical card. Do I have to wait until the birthday before I can do the application? (I don't know what the current backlog is!). (It's just 2 weeks to the birthday, and I don't think our financial figures will change in that time).

2) Before doing the application (whenever), I'd like to first complete the online form (with rough figures), simply to get the 'yes' or 'no'. And then abandon that application and start again using another form (online or otherwise). Would that cause any problems?
(If I can get the website to work in the first place, that is. I tried it once and it somehow changed my figures to zero, so of course happily announced I qualified! I didn't follow it up that time, so don't know what would have happened).

P.S. (Just to get the question out of the way); it's because I had to do an application for spouse & me just 2 years ago (because of a a review), and just don't feel like going through the whole time-consuming caboodle again (precisely matching bank statements and all), just to find out if I'm going to qualify. (Already I'll have to do it all again next year, when my spouse reaches 70).
It might also help with timing, re expensive prescriptions.

Fogmatic

Anyone?
Anyone know if I have to wait for the change of circumstances to happen before starting the application process (then carry on paying privately for prescription meds etc for however long it takes)?

Cushie Butterfield

It's not like an application for a payment like state pension where you can apply in advance. You have to wait until you're eligible to apply for a medical/gp visit card. If you're applying on the grounds of being 70 or over then you won't be eligible to apply until you are over 70.

There's little point in using approximate figures in the meantime (you have a fair idea of what you'll qualify for as it is just by looking at the income guidelines), as you'll need solid figures with proof of those figures for the real application. You'd probably be better off using the two weeks to gather as much of the required documentation & photocopies as you can, so as you can submit your application on the day of your 70th birthday. If applying by post keep copies of everything & send by registered post.

As regards your spouse who will turn 70 next year - once one spouse qualifies at 70 you both get gp/medical cards (subject to the joint income guidelines) despite the other spouse being under 70.

Fogmatic

Thanks Cushie!
I'll definitely get the documentation together now (only 3 days to go, so the savings balances etc will be up-to-date).
Yes, the income guidelines are simple; it was just that last time, the HSE's calcs about our means were slightly different from my rough ones. But we were a bit borderline then, and probably less so now.
I always keep copies of stuff I send off, especially to government departments. I've had the habit since the days of having to put original vehicle log books in the post (and get them back with an added set of staple holes)!

I will of course check out the latest guidelines. But thanks to a belated reply email from the HSE last time, I already know the answer to some of the ambiguities in the older info (e.g. current accounts aren't 'savings', and they positively encourage sending copies rather than originals).

I wasn't thinking straight re doing it again next year (forgot that we'll both qualify!).

Thank you again for taking the trouble to clarify things.

Cushie Butterfield

Hope it works out well for you both & enjoy your 70th!

endofrainbow

I don't recommend making an application online until you have all the documentation to hand . If you make an application and abandon it, you will have 2 different references and that may lead to unnecessary delays.