Medical Card reimbursement

king2

My Sister has had a medical card for about 10yrs. A few months ago her card expired which she didnt notice until she was collecting her prescription and told her card was no longer valid. She never received any notification in the post about renewing the card, previously she would always be just issued with a new card automatically.Now they have sent her a form where they want her to reapply and send in bank statements etc further lengthening the delay.

What if any is the procedure for applying for reimbursement of medical expenses she has to pay for due to being without a medical card because of the HSE mess up.

GBX

How did the HSE mess up? "A few months ago her card expired which she didnt notice" She had the details of when it was due to expire - the onus would have been on her to renew the card not on the HSE. You can't reimburse somebody if they were not in possession of a valid card at the time.

splinter65

It was your sisters responsibility to ensure that her card was valid. The date of expiry is quite clear on the front of the card.

king2

splinter65 wrote: »

It was your sisters responsibility to ensure that her card was valid. The date of expiry is quite clear on the front of the card.

Checking online there is no clear procedure by which the holder can renew their card.nothing about applying for renewal a certain amount of time before the card expires or anything of that nature

https://www2.hse.ie/services/medical-cards/renew-your-medical-card.html

It appears that cards are renewed automatically unless a review is going to be carried out in which case the holder is contacted by the HSE. She was never contacted. The card was renewed automatically for the last 10yrs so it can easily be seen how the expiry date could be missed, especially if there is nothing in the public domain about what action the holder is supposed to take to renew their card. But I'm sure You people who are so sure that she should have taken such action can point me to where that is stated.

GBX

Well the obvious thing would be to contact the HSE then. They hold the information. Not us so :rolleyes:

"Do you have a question about your health services, your entitlements, or how to access HSE health or social services in your area?
Contact the HSE infoline from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday.
Callsave 1850 24 1850 or 041 6850300 "


Youre welcome.

splinter65

king2 wrote: »

Checking online there is no clear procedure by which the holder can renew their card.nothing about applying for renewal a certain amount of time before the card expires or anything of that nature

https://www2.hse.ie/services/medical-cards/renew-your-medical-card.html

It appears that cards are renewed automatically unless a review is going to be carried out in which case the holder is contacted by the HSE. She was never contacted. The card was renewed automatically for the last 10yrs so it can easily be seen how the expiry date could be missed, especially if there is nothing in the public domain about what action the holder is supposed to take to renew their card. But I'm sure You people who are so sure that she should have taken such action can point me to where that is stated.

When her new card didn’t arrive as the other cards did over the years what enquiries did she make?
When you rang them and asked them about this what did they say?

king2

GBX wrote: »

Well the obvious thing would be to contact the HSE then. They hold the information. Not us so :rolleyes:

"Do you have a question about your health services, your entitlements, or how to access HSE health or social services in your area?
Contact the HSE infoline from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday.
Callsave 1850 24 1850 or 041 6850300 "


Youre welcome.

what do you mean by "us". I posted a question about medical card on a public forum entitled "state benefits".If someone asks a question that you dont know the answer to better to not reply at all then respond with that sort of smart ass rubbish.

king2

splinter65 wrote: »

When her new card didn’t arrive as the other cards did over the years what enquiries did she make?
When you rang them and asked them about this what did they say?

She contacted them straight away. Took them about 3 weeks to send her out a form and they want to means test her which is going to slow the whole thing down even more.

GBX

king2 wrote: »

what do you mean by "us". I posted a question about medical card on a public forum entitled "state benefits".If someone asks a question that you dont know the answer to better to not reply at all then respond with that sort of smart ass rubbish.

No smart arse rubbish written at all. As I said they'd have more info than those on here. Not only that it's a public forum that I replied to ... Don't like my answer that's fine. I don't care.
You're obviously annoyed because there's no swift response to getting your sister a replacement card but the means test is the rules whether you like them or not.

splinter65

king2 wrote: »

She contacted them straight away. Took them about 3 weeks to send her out a form and they want to means test her which is going to slow the whole thing down even more.

But what was the explanation for not sending her notice of renewal?
The forms are downloadable and available in health centers and CICs too.

king2

king2 wrote: »

Checking online there is no clear procedure by which the holder can renew their card.nothing about applying for renewal a certain amount of time before the card expires or anything of that nature

https://www2.hse.ie/services/medical-cards/renew-your-medical-card.html

It appears that cards are renewed automatically unless a review is going to be carried out in which case the holder is contacted by the HSE. She was never contacted. The card was renewed automatically for the last 10yrs so it can easily be seen how the expiry date could be missed, especially if there is nothing in the public domain about what action the holder is supposed to take to renew their card. But I'm sure You people who are so sure that she should have taken such action can point me to where that is stated.

You are correct. According to the HSE site, it assumes responsibility for contacting people for whom a review is to be carried out:

Medical cards and GP visit cards are issued for a period of time. Your card has a ‘Valid to’ date on it. We will contact you when we need to review your eligibility. We review your eligibility before we can renew your card.
We will write to you by email or post to complete a medical card review. It is important we have your current address. https://www2.hse.ie/services/medical-cards/renew-your-medical-card.html

Assuming there was no issue about her changing her address and not informing the HSE she may be able to request a temporary card until the means test is completed, which would help with ongoing outlay. Don't know about possibility of refund, but worth a try.

If you complete the review form by the given date but the review process continues past the expiry date of your card, the card’s validity may be extended so that you can continue to use it while the review is taking place. The extension is on a month-by-month basis so it is advisable to contact the Client Registration Unit to confirm that your card has been extended and
continues to be valid. https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/medical_cards_and_gp_visit_cards/medical_card.html

dartboardio

Your responsibility to check up on the cards validity.

Anyway, prescription charge refund address can be got by checking online or phoning 1890252919

Think it may be Prescription Charge Refund Claim, PO BOX 12505 Finglas Dublin 11.

Double check that though.

By the way if the card expired less than 3 months ago then put in the application and ask them to temporarily re instate the card on the basis you need medication, usually they are fine to do this once app is received.

Even if your card is renewed automatically you should double check as process can change easily.

If you don't wanna wait 3 weeks for a form pick one up in your LHO, GP practice or download it direct from hse website.

Everyone's subject to means test, that is what the medical card is.

Rubberchikken

i always thought the card was renewed automatically unless they were doing a check in which case they would inform the holder.

maybe your sister just got overlooked Op.
not knowing when a card will expire can happen to anyone.
she should contact the medical card office.

endofrainbow

why can't people take responsibility of their own affairs ?

king2

endofrainbow wrote: »

why can't people take responsibility of their own affairs ?

Why cant you familiarise yourself with the subject being discussed before making stupid comments. This has nothing to do with not taking responsibility for own affairs

GBX

As I said already. Contact the HSE. They'll have more info than anybody on here. Nobody on here will have a definitive answer to your sisters issue. Not only that but getting cranky because they dont give you the answer you want is bad form too. Good luck !

dartboardio

Rubberchikken wrote: »

i always thought the card was renewed automatically unless they were doing a check in which case they would inform the holder.

maybe your sister just got overlooked Op.
not knowing when a card will expire can happen to anyone.
she should contact the medical card office.

Thats incorrect.

Cards are sometimes automatically extended for some people but that should never be relied on as you could end up with an expired card.

The minute your card is expired the only way to renew that is a full means application

king2

GBX wrote: »

As I said already. Contact the HSE. They'll have more info than anybody on here. Nobody on here will have a definitive answer to your sisters issue. Not only that but getting cranky because they dont give you the answer you want is bad form too. Good luck !

Its People posting pointless unhelpful remarks just trying to be smart or slag off I have a problem with, otherwise known as Trolls

splinter65

king2 wrote: »

Its People posting pointless unhelpful remarks just trying to be smart or slag off I have a problem with, otherwise known as Trolls

In the course of my work I help people to apply for public services. Medical cards section is very chaotic but the truth of the matter is that about 2 months before a medical card expires either the computer renews your medical card automatically or the computer churns out a letter telling you what to do now.
Because it’s computerized it really doesn’t make mistakes.
Some people get a letter and bin it because they never had to send bank statements and payslips before so they assume it doesn’t apply to them.
People move house and don’t notify Medical Card.
If you had rang them they would have been able to check if a letter had been issued and when.
Medical card is means tested and they have a right and a duty to make sure that only people within the means get a card.
Instead of waiting for them to send her an application form she could have got one at the health centre or the CIC or even her GP May have had some.
The important thing now is that she gets it filled up signs it and gets her GP to sign it and stamp it.
Send proof of all income and savings and proof of rent/mortgage and house insurance.

king2

splinter65 wrote: »

Instead of waiting for them to send her an application form she could have got one at the health centre or the CIC or even her GP May have had some.

It was renewed automatically for the last 10yrs. They should have sent a new card or notice of review which they didnt do for reasons which will never be known. There is no procedure in place by which the medical card holder can initiate the renewal procedure if they dont contact you first.

splinter65

king2 wrote: »

It was renewed automatically for the last 10yrs. They should have sent a new card or notice of review which they didnt do for reasons which will never be known. There is no procedure in place by which the medical card holder can initiate the renewal procedure if they dont contact you first.

The reasons are easily obtained by simply ringing them.
I’ve asked you a couple of times if you ever actually rang them to ask them why they didn’t send her a renewal but I haven’t had any clear answer so I can assume that you didn’t.
I can’t understand why she or you waited until her medical card expired before you made enquiries.
In previous years her new medical card just appeared in the post before the old one expired.
Did she not think it was odd that the same didn’t happen this year?
Surely the thing to do was to ring them or write or email?
I can’t understand either why you waited so long for an application form to come in the post when they are easily downloadable and available in lots of places.

king2

splinter65 wrote: »

The reasons are easily obtained by simply ringing them.
I’ve asked you a couple of times if you ever actually rang them to ask them why they didn’t send her a renewal but I haven’t had any clear answer so I can assume that you didn’t.
I can’t understand why she or you waited until her medical card expired before you made enquiries.
In previous years her new medical card just appeared in the post before the old one expired.
Did she not think it was odd that the same didn’t happen this year?
Surely the thing to do was to ring them or write or email?
I can’t understand either why you waited so long for an application form to come in the post when they are easily downloadable and available in lots of places.

Dont forget we are talking about the HSE here one of the most dysfunctional organisations in the world.This sort of cock up by them is par for the course. My Sister rang them on numerous occasions after she became aware the card was expired. They apologised for her not being sent notification prior to expiry of her card but could not or would not give any explanation. They told her a new card would be issued. Then she received a renewal form from them last monday 22 July with a note attached dated the 19th July that her card was due to expire on the 27th June and that she should complete and return the form! You just could not make it up.

splinter65

king2 wrote: »

Dont forget we are talking about the HSE here one of the most dysfunctional organisations in the world.This sort of cock up by them is par for the course. My Sister rang them on numerous occasions after she became aware the card was expired. They apologised for her not being sent notification prior to expiry of her card but could not or would not give any explanation. They told her a new card would be issued. Then she received a renewal form from them last monday 22 July with a note attached dated the 19th July that her card was due to expire on the 27th June and that she should complete and return the form! You just could not make it up.

Thanks for filling us in

ELM327

It's not their cockup, if your card expires it's on you. Same as a bank card, you wouldn't let it expire.

They will probably now process it as a new application, and I don't see any refund for medication in the interim being made.

king2

ELM327 wrote: »

It's not their cockup, if your card expires it's on you. Same as a bank card, you wouldn't let it expire.

They will probably now process it as a new application, and I don't see any refund for medication in the interim being made.

Yes it is their cock up for reasons already explained earlier in the thread which you obviously didnt bother to read

ELM327

king2 wrote: »

Yes it is their cock up for reasons already explained earlier in the thread which you obviously didnt bother to read

I read through the whole thread.
Regardless of some text on a website, if my health depended upon the medical card I would make it my business to renew on time.


Personal culpability, clearly no meaning in 2019.

king2

ELM327 wrote: »

I read through the whole thread.
Regardless of some text on a website, if my health depended upon the medical card I would make it my business to renew on time.


Personal culpability, clearly no meaning in 2019.

For the last time - and Im finished with this thread after this because as usual, looking for help on the "state benefits" section of boards has been a pointless exercise, because the forum is full of government and state body supporting trolls -

THERE IS NO PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE HOLDER OF A MEDICAL CARD CAN INITIATE THE RENEWAL OF THAT CARD BEFORE EXPIRY

ELM327

Oh right, the capital letters are out, I must be wrong.
Thanks for the FACHTS.
Cheerio, don't let the door hit you on the way out now.

Cherry Blossom

king2 wrote: »

ELM327 wrote: »

I read through the whole thread.
Regardless of some text on a website, if my health depended upon the medical card I would make it my business to renew on time.


Personal culpability, clearly no meaning in 2019.

For the last time - and Im finished with this thread after this because as usual, looking for help on the "state benefits" section of boards has been a pointless exercise, because the forum is full of government and state body supporting trolls -

THERE IS NO PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE HOLDER OF A MEDICAL CARD CAN INITIATE THE RENEWAL OF THAT CARD BEFORE EXPIRY

I reapplied online a few months ago due to a change in circumstances and my card was valid for another year. It was a pitta and I had to ring them after every single step but I got it done eventually.

dartboardio

Yes there is a process to initiate renewal of your card prior to expiry. You just make a new application (which you are basically doing in the renewal anyway)

The only difference is you don't have a pin for access online.

Next time your card is due to expire in 3 months, just go to the website yourself and apply for a new medical card.

lulu1

endofrainbow wrote: »

why can't people take responsibility of their own affairs ?

This is a comment that one would expect on another forum not state benefits
The op was only asking a question for their sister as to why her medical card was stopped without her been notified.

A normal enough question

lulu1

If your medical card expires as far as i know your chemist has it on computer at least ours dose

king2

king2 wrote: »

Why cant you familiarise yourself with the subject being discussed before making stupid comments. This has nothing to do with not taking responsibility for own affairs[/QUOTE

GoneHome

king2 wrote: »

It was renewed automatically for the last 10yrs.

As a tax payer I have to say I'm delighted they decided after 10 years of renewing with it automatically in this case they would discontinue doing so. How many thousands of medical cards are renewed automatically for up to 10 years with no questions asked, jesus it beggars belief the millions if not billions all these undeserved medical cards are costing the country :mad:

GoneHome

GoneHome wrote: »

As a tax payer I have to say I'm delighted they decided after 10 years of renewing with it automatically in this case they would discontinue doing so. How many thousands of medical cards are renewed automatically for up to 10 years with no questions asked, jesus it beggars belief the millions if not billions all these undeserved medical cards are costing the country :mad:

You would do well to read the Charter for this Forum, third item from the top, which is there to make this site a safe place for people to have queries answered and not to be subjected to rants.