Medical Card Query

Jellybaby1

This is the scenario: Young single man, early 30's living with parents, also in a relationship and probably shares some expenses with his girlfriend. He was unemployed for many years but finally got a full time job a few months ago with basic wage. He is happy with the job which in turn means the whole family are also happy. Recently he was injured playing sports but couldn't afford to go to the GP. It would be €65 for GP or €100 if he goes straight to A & E. A basic wage can't cover that on top of other expenses. It doesn't happen often but he would have to rely on his parents to pay medical expenses as he would never apply for a medical card. His family are wondering if they could get him to apply for a medical card, would he even get it as he is working full time?

wokingvoter

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

This is the scenario: Young single man, early 30's living with parents, also in a relationship and probably shares some expenses with his girlfriend. He was unemployed for many years but finally got a full time job a few months ago with basic wage. He is happy with the job which in turn means the whole family are also happy. Recently he was injured playing sports but couldn't afford to go to the GP. It would be €65 for GP or €100 if he goes straight to A & E. A basic wage can't cover that on top of other expenses. It doesn't happen often but he would have to rely on his parents to pay medical expenses as he would never apply for a medical card. His family are wondering if they could get him to apply for a medical card, would he even get it as he is working full time?

He can certainly apply, but medical cards offset applicants wages against rent/mortgage. They require either a rent book or lease or mortgage statement as proof
They will also allow for travelling to work expenses.
I cant understand why he can't afford to pay the doctor himself though?

Jellybaby1

wokingvoter wrote: »

He can certainly apply, but medical cards offset applicants wages against rent/mortgage. They require either a rent book or lease or mortgage statement as proof
They will also allow for travelling to work expenses.
I cant understand why he can't afford to pay the doctor himself though?

He doesn't pay rent to parents, doesn't have his own accommodation so therefore no mortgage, no savings to speak of as unemployed for so long. Regarding his non-ability to pay the GP. We believe that as his GF has her own apartment that he may be sharing expenses like rent, groceries, buying a TV etc., although he is not living there he stays there a few nights a week. Almost like a married couple, but not really, as he doesn't actually live with his GF.

P.S. He buys his own food so isn't depending on parents on that score.

wokingvoter

If he has €359 gross income per week approx and doesn't have evidence that he is named on a rental/lease agreement or mortgage statement to offset his accomodation costs against his income, and he doesn't have a chronic medical condition, then he won't qualify for a medical card.
The income limit for somebody in his current circumstances is €164 per week.
His income is more than twice that.
The fact that he is helping his girlfriend financially won't be taken into account.

Jellybaby1

Ok, I understand. Thanks for the information. It wasn't expected that him helping his GF would be taken into consideration, I just mentioned it as a reason as to why he probably isn't able to afford GP or hospital fees.

wokingvoter

I see. Medical Cards would consider that somebody with €350+ per week income and no outgoings would be in a position to pay for the GP and prescriptions.
The fact that he financially contributes to his girlfriends outgoings voluntarily while continuing to live at home rent and utilities free is seen as a lifestyle choice.

Mr McBoatface

Anyone over the age of 25 who is long term unemployed (12 months or longer) and has no other means of income is automatically entitled to a medical card see page 18 of the HSE medical card guidelines.

Anyone over the age of 25 who is long term unemployed (12 months or longer) is entitled to a medical card for 3 years after returning to work. They can apply retrospectivly. It's all covered on pages 23 and 24 of the HSE medical card guidelines.

Print off the guideline pages and highlight the relevant sections attach to any application you send in to the HSE.

It'll be refused at first basically because those handling the paperwork are clueless or instructed to refuse everything out of the ordinary but just keep on appealing.

Google "hse medical card guidelines" it'll be the first results. Download the pdf file.

wokingvoter

It can't be applied for retrospectively
If you had a medical card while unemployed then you MAY retain it for 3 years after getting a job
There is no indication in the OP that this guy had a medical card at any stage

Mr McBoatface

wokingvoter wrote: »

It can't be applied for retrospectively
If you had a medical card while unemployed then you MAY retain it for 3 years after getting a job
There is no indication in the OP that this guy had a medical card at any stage

You're talking nonsense. It can be applied retrospectively. You're just spouting out the same inaccurate tired lines the poorly trained underpaid telephone answering "advisors" are told to say.

If you took the time to read the actual wording of the guideline I referenced you would have read this

When a person who has been unemployed for a minimum of 12 months or more takes up full time employment, s/he will retain their Medical Card for a period of three years from the date on which the employment commenced.

When a person is unemployed for a period of 12 months or more takes up part-time
employment, s/he will retain their Medical Card for a period of three years from the date his/her income exceeds the relevant Medical Card Guideline.

A person, who did not hold a Medical Card prior to commencing employment, but would have qualified if they had applied, should on application be granted a Medical Card, for the remainder of the three year period.

Adult and Child dependants of a person covered by the retention will also be granted a Medical Card

OP don't listen to what some of the posters here have to say. They can't even read a simply worded official document. It's in black and white from the HSE itself.

Jellybaby1

I would hope there will be no arguments or insults offered on my behalf please. I will check the HSE guidelines on behalf of the family and take it from there. Thanks all. Certainly retrospective application is a new one to me.

Balagan

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

This is the scenario: Young single man, early 30's living with parents, also in a relationship and probably shares some expenses with his girlfriend. He was unemployed for many years but finally got a full time job a few months ago with basic wage. He is happy with the job which in turn means the whole family are also happy. Recently he was injured playing sports but couldn't afford to go to the GP. It would be €65 for GP or €100 if he goes straight to A & E. A basic wage can't cover that on top of other expenses. It doesn't happen often but he would have to rely on his parents to pay medical expenses as he would never apply for a medical card. His family are wondering if they could get him to apply for a medical card, would he even get it as he is working full time?

Best thing to do is apply. If he doesn't qualify for a full medical card he may still qualify for the GP card. If there are some valid reasons why he will not/can not make the application himself then a close family member could make inquiries to the HSE and the GP himself or herself may be able to provide necessary explanation/certs etc., to back up the reasons.

Mr McBoatface

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

I would hope there will be no arguments or insults offered on my behalf please. I will check the HSE guidelines on behalf of the family and take it from there. Thanks all. Certainly retrospective application is a new one to me.

It's new information to a lot of people but has been possible for along time. My company has a policy of hiring long term unemployed . We get tax relief for doing so under goverment tax break schemes was previously called "Revenue Job Assist" now it's called JobPlus. I've personally helped 3 employees avail of the medical card via a retrospective application. In fact if I remember correctly if you apply online there was a option to pick "Revenue job assist" as a government social welfare employment scheme. It may have changed to a Jobplus option on the online system. As I said you'll need to print the applicable guidelines and highlight the relevant section. Your family member is automatically entitled to the card with no means assessment. I would suggest a written letter detailing everything be included again with reference to the guidelines.

If your family member was getting a payment for a child dependent they are also entitled to keep that payment as well. I'll post details if applicable.

Jellybaby1

Thank you Balagan. He doesn't need help to apply, as he is perfectly literate. Hard to know why exactly but possibly he just hates the hassle of dealing with officialdom. I know, we all have to deal with it in the end.

jobyrne30, thank you. There is no child to support.

Mr McBoatface

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Thank you Balagan. He doesn't need help to apply, as he is perfectly literate. Hard to know why exactly but possibly he just hates the hassle of dealing with officialdom. I know, we all have to deal with it in the end.

jobyrne30, thank you. There is no child to support.

No problem. I know lots of people like him and don't like the hassle. All you can do is show him the information and leave him to it. I wouldn't hold him by the hand, it will most likely and incorrectly refused at first but can be appealed and it will be awarded.

Outside of the medical expenses he should also be aware that as a medical card holder his USC rate will be at the reduced rates of 1% for income up to 12k and just 3% there after. It's very much worth pursuing

Jellybaby1

Many thanks jobyrne.