30,000 still waiting for medical card

micropig · 02-03-2012 07:59PM #1

So with 30,000 waiting on a medical cards, What exactly are the people working in the processing office doing all day? How many applications are they processing a day? How many people are are working in the office?

More easy going public servants me thinks.:(

According to RTE news 150 workers

59 working days between now and the end of April. 150 staff, processing 30,000 applications. Each has to process 200. This works out at each member of staff processing 3.5 applications a day.

Sindri · 02-03-2012 08:17PM

micropig wrote: »

So with 30,000 waiting on a medical cards, What exactly are the people working in the processing office doing all day? How many applications are they processing a day? How many people are are working in the office?

More easy going public servants me thinks.:(

According to RTE news 150 workers

59 working days between now and the end of April. 150 staff, processing 30,000 applications. Each has to process 200. This works out at each member of staff processing 3.5 applications a day.

I imagine it's something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z023i8JZSUk

Freddie59 · 02-03-2012 08:33PM

micropig wrote: »

So with 30,000 waiting on a medical cards, What exactly are the people working in the processing office doing all day? How many applications are they processing a day? How many people are are working in the office?

More easy going public servants me thinks.:(

According to RTE news 150 workers

59 working days between now and the end of April. 150 staff, processing 30,000 applications. Each has to process 200. This works out at each member of staff processing 3.5 applications a day.

Now now. Can't be Public Sector bashing. They work very hard you know.;)

micropig · 02-03-2012 08:36PM

Freddie59 wrote: »

Now now. Can't be Public Sector bashing. They work very hard you know.;)

Even if 75 of the staff are managers, that's 7 applications they have to process each:eek::p

MickySticks · 02-03-2012 08:38PM

Let them pay for own bloody medical expenses, I work and pay tax but I don't get to go to the doctors for free.

Sicken your hole!

micropig · 02-03-2012 08:42PM

MickySticks wrote: »

Let them pay for own bloody medical expenses, I work and pay tax but I don't get to go to the doctors for free.

Sicken your hole!

Ah now, there is some very sick / old people waiting long times for medical cards, it's not just the pyjama wearing brigade.

Whether they qualify for it or not is not the issue, its the length of time it takes for their application to be processed. Even if they were refused a medical card, their application would still need to be processed.

MickySticks · 02-03-2012 08:45PM

micropig wrote: »

Ah now, there is some very sick / old people waiting long times for medical cards, it's not just the pyjama wearing brigade.

Whether they qualify for it or not is not the issue, its the length of time it takes for their application to be processed. Even if they were refused a medical card, their application would still need to be processed.

Aww did Jacinta get a boil on her arse and have to pay to see the doctor?

I don't begrudge anyone in desperate need of a MC but they are handed out to easily in this country.

micropig · 02-03-2012 08:49PM

MickySticks wrote: »

Aww did Jacinta get a boil on her arse and have to pay to see the doctor?

I don't begrudge anyone in desperate need of a MC but they are handed out to easily in this country.

I agree. There are a lot of people who get them, who probably should't. The prices doctors charge in this country are ridiculously high and it is extremely expensive for someone in this country, without a medical card to be sick.

But even to refuse the application, it still needs to be processed by the efficient people in the medical card processing office, which taxes also pay for.

Lone Stone · 02-03-2012 08:51PM

micropig wrote: »

I agree. There are a lot of people who get them, who probably should't. The prices doctors charge in this country are ridiculously high and it is extremely expensive for someone in this country, without a medical card to be sick.

But even to refuse the application, it still needs to be processed by the efficient people in the medical card processing office, which taxes also pay for.

Dont feed the Troll brahh

But my old mother ill stricken id hate to see anyone in her situation waiting on one of these card's its hard enough for some one on disability allowence or what ever its called to get by these day's.

micropig · 02-03-2012 09:09PM

Lone Stone wrote: »

Dont feed the Troll brahh

But my old mother ill stricken id hate to see anyone in her situation waiting on one of these card's its hard enough for some one on disability allowence or what ever its called to get by these day's.

Sure all those ones they're complaining about, have the medical card already. It's mostly people who are in genuine need, who end up waiting 8-9 months to get the medical card.

woodoo · 02-03-2012 09:33PM

micropig wrote: »

So with 30,000 waiting on a medical cards, What exactly are the people working in the processing office doing all day? How many applications are they processing a day? How many people are are working in the office?

More easy going public servants me thinks.:(

According to RTE news 150 workers

59 working days between now and the end of April. 150 staff, processing 30,000 applications. Each has to process 200. This works out at each member of staff processing 3.5 applications a day.

Medical cards was centralised from the local offices to a central office in Dublin. The aim was to increase efficiency. The opposite happened. It was a massive failure of management.

They are trying to process medical cards and GP visit cards now for the whole country with 150 staff. They are hopelessly understaffed. Nobody working in that office now is dossing. They are flat out and snowed under. But they haven't a hope as they are so understaffed.

Point 2. Not all staff are processing. Some are supervisors, some are managers, some are assessing eligibility, some are processing, some are dealing with the public etc. Besides there is a 30,000 backlog. More and more applications are arriving each day. Without increase in staff numbers or overtime they will not make a dent in that 30,000. It will likely rise if anything.

Diabhal Beag · 02-03-2012 10:45PM

The most disgusting thing in this thread was the US Office video

micropig · 02-03-2012 10:51PM

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

The most disgusting thing in this thread was the US Office video

To me the most disgusting thing on this thread is that sick people have to wait up to 8 months to get their medical card, but hey, that's just me:o

Diabhal Beag · 02-03-2012 11:28PM

My joke has been taken behind the vet's shed.

woodoo · 02-03-2012 11:32PM

micropig wrote: »

To me the most disgusting thing on this thread is that sick people have to wait up to 8 months to get their medical card, but hey, that's just me:o

What exactly is the problem in there and how can it be fixed in your opinion?

i57dwun4yb1pt8 · 02-03-2012 11:37PM

yes ,

and 450, 000 waiting for a job

as well as
4.5 million waiting for a government and polictians that put the country first and not themselves and relatives.

get in line i reckon .

opinion guy · 02-03-2012 11:42PM

I don't mean to interrupt anyones outrage with you know, logic, but I'm thinking that maybe it might help this discussion if we knew what was involved in processing an application. Maybe 3.5 applications a day is good ?

I'm also set to wondering - would you be equally outraged OP if they handed out all 30,000 medical cards in a month with all the expense that would entail ?

woodoo · 02-03-2012 11:51PM

opinion guy wrote: »

I'm also set to wondering - would you be equally outraged OP if they handed out all 30,000 medical cards in a month with all the expense that would entail ?

People are missing the point with this backlog. Lets say all 150 staff process applications for arguments sake. In a normal day they do 10 applications each. So the office is processing 1500 applications a day. Thats them working flat out.

So what happens if 11 applications start coming in every day for each worker from now on. They will fall behind by 150 apps a day, day 2 the backlog is 300, then 450 and on and on.

The backlog is likely to grow unless something changes fast. There isn't just 30,000 applications to be dealt with. Its 30,000 + their regular intake of applications.

micropig · 03-03-2012 12:39AM

woodoo wrote: »

What exactly is the problem in there and how can it be fixed in your opinion?

Problem is, people are dying because have to wait so long for their medical care

woodoo wrote: »

People are missing the point with this backlog. Lets say all 150 staff process applications for arguments sake. In a normal day they do 10 applications each. So the office is processing 1500 applications a day. Thats them working flat out.

So what happens if 11 applications start coming in every day for each worker from now on. They will fall behind by 150 apps a day, day 2 the backlog is 300, then 450 and on and on.

The backlog is likely to grow unless something changes fast. There isn't just 30,000 applications to be dealt with. Its 30,000 + their regular intake of applications.

1500 applications x 212(guess)working days a year =318,000, population of Ireland is only 4.4million.

If we could get exact figures for staff working on processing claims, including appeals etc

In 2009 the PCRS processed over 72,000 medical card applications which included nearly 42,000 reviews. With regard to these reviews, 85% of cases where the required information was supplied were completed within 20 working days and 95% within 30 days.

http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-01-28.658.0

Sean Haughey Jan 2009 speaking in the Dail 28 Jan 2009 talking about the backlog due to the transition to the new system.

20 extra staff have been brought in to help clear this backlog. The number of staff had been 130.

How many people who work in a department set up to process claims, actually process claims?

So 72,000/ say 60 staff each do 1200s claims a year. Each work 212 days a year. So each member of the 60 staff process 5.6 claims a day.

What's involved in processing an application/appeal? I don't know the exact ins and outs but I would imagine it's along the lines of

Pick up the form
Read it
Does it match the criteria?
Yes/No
Enter in system
Change name/address on standard letter
Put letter in envelope and in tray to be posted etc.
Next

How long would that take? half an hour a claim?

No, I would be happy if they gave out medical cards to all in a month. I would rather the appropriate applications/appeals are be refused.

woodoo · 03-03-2012 12:51AM

micropig wrote: »

1500 applications x 300 (guess)working days a year =4,500,000, population of Ireland is only 4.4million.

I was just using them figures to illustrate backlogs. I have no idea how many they d in a day.

A large amount of people don't send in the required info apparently and that causes delays writing out to them and waiting for them to respond.

woodoo · 03-03-2012 01:01AM

micropig wrote: »

What's involved in processing an application/appeal? I don't know the exact ins and outs but I would imagine it's along the lines of

Pick up the form
Read it
Does it match the criteria?
Yes/No
Enter in system
Change name/address on standard letter
Put letter in envelope and in tray to be posted etc.
Next

How long would that take? half an hour a claim?

I'd say application comes in, someone opens it and identifies who it is to go to
Check against system to see if they are already up on system
Set up new application on system
Send to person assessing eligibility (higher grade) this could take a while.. verifying info with employers, government departments, doctors etc.
Sent on to processor to process or to request further info.
Approve or refuse application
File application

I'd say when they get that busy and behind they are spending a lot of time answering queries and trying to find out what is what. Its a whole mess. They should have left well enough alone and kept the processing local.

micropig · 03-03-2012 01:02AM

woodoo wrote: »

I was just using them figures to illustrate backlogs. I have no idea how many they d in a day.

A large amount of people don't send in the required info apparently and that causes delays writing out to them and waiting for them to respond.

I changed my working days to 212, like yourself I just seeing it logically and I understand about backlogs etc. but from the edited figures in my previous post it works out each member of a 60 person team, each person processes 5.6 claims a day. How many hours is their working day?

I'm using the 2009 figure, 72,000 applications & appeals processed

If the form is not complete.
Same a processing other application.
Just different letter sent out and the application filed so that when the rest of the information is received it can be processed immediately.

woodoo · 03-03-2012 01:06AM

micropig wrote: »

I changed my working days to 212, like yourself I just seeing it logically and I understand about backlogs etc. but from the edited figures in my previous post it works out each member of a 60 person team, each person processes 5.6 claims a day. How many hours is their working day?

I'm using the 2009 figure, 72,000 applications & appeals processed.

In 2009 the majority of applications were dealt with in the local offices around the country.

They would do 9 to 5 hours

micropig · 03-03-2012 01:16AM

woodoo wrote: »

I'd say application comes in, someone opens it and identifies who it is to go to
Check against system to see if they are already up on system
Set up new application on system
Send to person assessing eligibility (higher grade) this could take a while.. verifying info with employers, government departments, doctors etc.
Sent on to processor to process or to request further info.
Approve or refuse application
File application

I'd say when they get that busy and behind they are spending a lot of time answering queries and trying to find out what is what. Its a whole mess. They should have left well enough alone and kept the processing local.

Say 5 people sort post
Given to person at desk (it will all be for them)
Type in to see are they on system & set up account etc. If for appeal sent to other dept.
Person verifies with doctors, dept etc (How do they do this phonecall or put letter in envelope to enquire?)
When all information gathered, check its meets criteria
Send to higher grade for approval in yeah or neah pile
Approval or refusal
File application

So while the application may take a bit longer depending on how fast the information is returned to the office, the process in the office does not change

micropig · 03-03-2012 01:18AM

woodoo wrote: »

In 2009 the majority of applications were dealt with in the local offices around the country.

They would do 9 to 5 hours

The HSE has informed the Department that its decision to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals to the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, in Dublin was in the context of its requirement to make efficiencies in business practices that could realise savings in a very challenging economic environment and provide a modern service to the public within sustainable levels of expenditure. The initial phase of the centralisation process commenced in January 2009 with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices in Dublin city to the PCRS

http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-01-28.658.0

6hours working -1hour lunch and 2 15 minute breaks

it takes 6 hours to process 5.6 applications. That's less than one an hour.

starbelgrade · 03-03-2012 01:22AM

opinion guy wrote: »

I don't mean to interrupt anyones outrage with you know, logic, but I'm thinking that maybe it might help this discussion if we knew what was involved in processing an application. Maybe 3.5 applications a day is good ?

It's easier though, for people to speculate & make shit up than to back it up with any real information, insight, experience or evidence.

theg81der · 03-03-2012 01:34AM

woodoo wrote: »

People are missing the point with this backlog. Lets say all 150 staff process applications for arguments sake. In a normal day they do 10 applications each. So the office is processing 1500 applications a day. Thats them working flat out.

So what happens if 11 applications start coming in every day for each worker from now on. They will fall behind by 150 apps a day, day 2 the backlog is 300, then 450 and on and on.

The backlog is likely to grow unless something changes fast. There isn't just 30,000 applications to be dealt with. Its 30,000 + their regular intake of applications.

Sounds like your saying they are deliberately keeping the work at a certain level to ensure it isn`t increased, to make a point and exert pressure.....nah public servants would never lol

micropig · 03-03-2012 01:41AM

theg81der wrote: »

Sounds like your saying they are deliberately keeping the work at a certain level to ensure it isn`t increased, to make a point and exert pressure.....nah public servants would never lol

I left a half an hour for chatting at the water cooler in my calculations 6 hours to process 5.6 applications

zenno · 03-03-2012 01:47AM

Here I am with a medical card and i never use it or needed to use it and i know i will never use it, but i'd give this medical card to a person that would need it now if i could. if it was possible to transfer it to a genuine person.

why does a reasonably young arsehole like me on the dole deserve to have it when there are people out there that really need it more than me ?. the minister for health should bring in a donation method even though it would be small for people that want to transfer and relinquish their medical card to someone that would benefit more from the use of this card now.

many people would not give up their medical card but i believe a few would for the people that need it most . call me crazy but there are people out there now that are desperate for proper medical assistance but cannot afford it.

micropig · 03-03-2012 01:50AM

zenno wrote: »

people out there now that are desperate for proper medical assistance.

& I better the stress of waiting for their medical card and dealing with the department doesn't do them much good:(

drdeadlift · 03-03-2012 01:53AM

micropig wrote: »

So with 30,000 waiting on a medical cards, What exactly are the people working in the processing office doing all day? How many applications are they processing a day? How many people are are working in the office?

More easy going public servants me thinks.:(

According to RTE news 150 workers

59 working days between now and the end of April. 150 staff, processing 30,000 applications. Each has to process 200. This works out at each member of staff processing 3.5 applications a day.

i will pay up to 200+ to stay away from public. a month

30,000 still waiting for medical card

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