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30,000 still waiting for medical card

13567

Comments

  • #62
    Chinasea
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,568 ✭✭✭Chinasea


    Time the whole handout culture was knocked on the head.

    Hurry up IMF - axe this ridicules overspend. (Shame we had to have a full on recession to cop this nonsense).

    The medical card like so many other benefits is totally abused by both the supposed thousands that are "entitled" to it and the doctors who hugely benefit from the scheme also.

    Time we all started to pay our way for everything - not just the workers.

    Regardless of your status you should have to pay something towards your medical costs (with a maximum threshold). It is a total joke that Anto can go into any chemist and get his meds. for just .50c courtesy of the tax payer.


  • #63
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    firemansammie wrote: »
    I had a baby in Oct, called them up about getting one for my son. I was advised to send in his birth cert, pps no along with my medical card number and my pps no. All this was done the first week in December. I still have not had a response from them. I have tried calling them but on pay as you go phone credit I cant hold for more than 30 mins (1st time hung up after 20 second time 30 mins) I got through last week and was told I should have called to "esculate" it? they would send it up and would have a decission in 7/10 working days. Surely it shouldnt take 3 months to process that when they have all the info already?

    This was a major problem, I couldn't get my head around why it took so long to have these cards processed when I was working there. If parent/s have a card then the baby will be entitled unless its a superstar pampers model who earns thousands...or something

    But if it makes you feel any better a baby is covered under the parent/s cards for the first 6 weeks, then after that if you're still waiting and show that you have a card valid for the next few months a doctor can wait to bill you for the baby's treatment until the card is through as they will know that the baby will get one and they will get paid. Some might refuse to do this, it's there right to do so but most would be grand about it so maybe ask around.

    Also if a baby gets very sick or a serious medical condition a letter faxed by a Dr will significantly speed up the process.


  • #64
    SEPT 23 1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,038 ✭✭✭✭SEPT 23 1989


    Why cant they just come out with their hands up and say

    WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BACK UP ALL THE NEW CARDS

    this delay bullsh1t is all a big smokescreen


  • #65
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »
    Why cant they just come out with their hands up and say

    WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BACK UP ALL THE NEW CARDS

    this delay bullsh1t is all a big smokescreen

    True,

    We also don't have the money to pay large salaries to managers, who are not managing effectively.


  • #66
    woodoo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,219 ✭✭✭woodoo


    Pingi wrote: »
    I worked for the phoneline for the medical card for a few weeks in the summer until I was able to get another job that related to my qualifications.

    The people on the phones do not see the medical card applications ever, they just handle the calls and are insanely busy doing so (worst job I've ever had, < €9 PH too) sometimes there would be crazy waiting times for people to get through I saw anywhere from 0-40 minutes and we never had more than 30 seconds between calls. Always heard that the processing team where completely rushed off there feet worse than us and to try and cut down the amount of query's we would send up. It's not a case of the staff doing nothing More staff were clearly needed/under funded.

    Applications at the time where taking from 3-8 weeks when sent full completed, But I would have to think less than half came in fully completed.

    I completely agree that the forms should outline clearer and what evidence is required spelled out as the applications. As the main thing that delays applications is them being incomplete. You literally have to prove everything you put on the application and anything that can be traced as income to your PPSN which is only right.

    The things people used to try and pass off where laughable. "I give me ma €70 a week rent" "the woman down the road minds my kids for €200 a week",

    One woman told me she sent proof that she had an au paire which would bring her below the guidelines, I questioned this with the processors as I wouldn't of thought having an Au paire would count as childcare deductible from what you can earn and got a message back from them saying that she sent a letter in her own hand writing saying "I pay an au paire €300 a week signed X" :rolleyes:

    All of the above might have been true, but whats to stop people saying they're paying out any amount of unrecorded cash of any amount. Also people wanting what they pay in private school fees, big car loans and credit card/phone bills taken into consideration PFFFT

    People moving houses and not informing the HSE, Renewal applications going to old address and card expires, (they could have rang and requested a new form when they saw it was coming to an end) or People filling out the online application that clearly states you need to print and post all evidence once complete never doing so, then ringing up F'ing the call centre workers out of it cause they can't see the Dr for free

    I've seen people eg those in road traffic accidents be given cards the next day for faxing through Drs reports and proof of there incomes. From what I saw they really do try and help as best they can with what they have.

    A lot of good info in that post. If less than half of people are sending in the correct info then that would cause serious delays. If 20,000 applications are arriving each week and 10,000 have to be put aside and wait on the new info. That would be a nightmare, what if it comes in wrong again then. If the person then sends in the info in a single letter with out the ref number. Think of the nightmare of trying to match it to the correct application.

    Also, if they are dealing with queries on applications so much that is going to slow them down too. As you say pingi if you in the call centre are in contact with the processors looking for answers that is a problem too.

    I can see how the whole place is chaos now with all that going on.


    Bottom line is the public have a responsibility to read through the application and send it in complete with all relevant info. And cut the spoofing and bulls**t of sending in lies that have to be queried.


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  • #67
    woodoo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,219 ✭✭✭woodoo


    SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »
    Why cant they just come out with their hands up and say

    WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BACK UP ALL THE NEW CARDS

    this delay bullsh1t is all a big smokescreen

    Thats not the case at all. Its is nothing to do with money. The problem is processing. In the old offices all this was dealt with no problem because they had far more staff. There are no more cards today than there were in 2010 or 2011.


  • #68
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    ebixa82 wrote: »
    The delay would be due to the sheer volume of people applying, the likes of which have never been seen before, combined with a poorly managed administration system.

    As of the 8 October 2010 the central office has received 211,801 applications/reviews

    171,237 cards were issued
    6,008 not successful
    12,994 await information (so not that high of a percentage)

    That leaves a backlog of 21,562 on the 8 Oct 2010

    Why wasn't the issue addressed then?

    Many people who have sent in all their information are still waiting

    Lets not forget, that all they do in the office is put the application on the system, verify by sending out letters and consolidating missing information with claim, notify applicant. All admin work. It shouldn't take long to change the details on a standard letter, print and post.

    ebixa82 wrote: »
    If the HSE was private the underperforming and incompetent staff would be weeded out and replaced. As it is the public sector these people cannot be fired, delaying the whole system.

    Sadly very true, In a private company, everyone would have rolled up their sleeves at this stage and pitched in to help, managers and all:eek: They're wouldn't be this mess and amount of people sitting on their hands doing nothing..sorry managing:rolleyes:

    ebixa82 wrote: »
    I don't get your "unions" comment btw!

    2009 When changing the system union members - We need more money to do this we're over worked.

    Sorry, no more money

    Unions- , we'll show them, everyone only process x number of applications a day, Watch the backlog grow

    Come in on time, go home on time and take your time all day.

    @woodoo the old office done everything manually by hand


  • #69
    mattjack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack







    2009 When changing the system union members - We need more money to do this we're over worked.

    Sorry, no more money

    Unions- , we'll show them, everyone only process x number of applications a day, Watch the backlog grow

    Come in on time, go home on time and take your time all day.

    @woodoo the old office done everything manually by hand[/QUOTE]


    I spoke here before, I worked for quite a few years where medical cards applications are received , I dont remember any major militant union activity at all, if there was any I would have to leave because of my own union.

    I do remember people being rostered in to work late and on weekends and I do know that the building in Finglas was upgraded to improve canteen conditions etc for staff because of the amount of people being relocated to process medical cards.

    Like I said before I worked in the reception and I,ve seen the phones ringing non stop with callers for the whole day without any break.

    I don,t know the process or the time it takes to receive and process any application but I'm being honest here the staff struck me as being hard working and diligent.

    I actually think the volume of numbers has overwhelmed the HSE not that laziness,union activity or staff ineptitude is the cause of the delays.

    what do you mean in the "old office" ...which old office ?


  • #70
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    mattjack wrote: »

    I spoke here before, I worked for quite a few years where medical cards applications are received , I dont remember any major militant union activity at all, if there was any I would have to leave because of my own union.

    I do remember people being rostered in to work late and on weekends and I do know that the building in Finglas was upgraded to improve canteen conditions etc for staff because of the amount of people being relocated to process medical cards.

    Like I said before I worked in the reception and I,ve seen the phones ringing non stop with callers for the whole day without any break.

    I don,t know the process or the time it takes to receive and process any application but I'm being honest here the staff struck me as being hard working and diligent.

    I actually think the volume of numbers has overwhelmed the HSE not that laziness,union activity or staff ineptitude is the cause of the delays.

    what do you mean in the "old office" ...which old office ?

    According to Ms Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: January 26th, 2012http://healthupdate.gov.ie/on-the-record/medical-cards-topical-issues-debate.html
    In 2010 the Central Office introduced a self assessment review process for people aged 70 years and over, as that cohort was managed entirely by the central office

    So they haven't been processing over 70's applications for 2 years now,
    The final part of the centralisation project took place on the 1 of July 2011 with the centralisation of Medical Card processing and associated tasks for the entire country in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) office in Finglas, Dublin.

    For the first time in the State’s history a single uniform system of application processing has been put in place. This system replaces the different systems previously operated through more than 100 Offices across the country. Some of the changes that have been introduced include the medicalcard.ie website and the standardisation of medical card assessments. The new arrangement should ultimately provide for a far more accountable and better managed medical card processing system.

    It's been 6 months since the move was finalised, most glitches should be ironed out at this stage
    this month, the HSE is easing the review process for all pensioners. The change will mean that reviews for medical card holders who are 66yrs or over will operate on a self-assessment basis, as currently happens with over-seventies. The self-assessment review model will also be extended to medical card holders under 66, who were granted their medical card on the basis of a means assessment, where the HSE is satisfied is living in this jurisdiction

    Over 66 will self assess
    Under 66 with card granted by means testing, also self review
    HSE is in the process of arranging access to data in the possession of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection to allow them conduct reviews without troubling medical card holders for further documentation. It is also intended to increase the fine applying to false claims in a forthcoming Bill

    Should cut down on waiting times
    the HSE are confident that the extension of the self assessment model to the great majority of medical card holders will simplify the process substantially, will improve the service to the client and will continue to improve turnaround times for reviews. It is hoped that ultimately about 80% of renewals will be dealt with in this way.

    Should cut their workload
    February 1, the HSE will implement a new system that gives GP’s the additional ability to identify and assist the most vulnerable Medical Card holders in our society. GP’s will be able to maintain the eligibility of these patients where they are going through the renewal system. GP’s will also be able to add new babies onto the medical card system online.

    they aren't issuing ones for new babies since feb, gp does it


    So thats a good lot of their normal workload cut already, sure this frees them up to deal with the increase in applicants.


  • #71
    mattjack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    Fair play to ya Micropig.


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  • #72
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    micropig wrote: »
    As of the 8 October 2010 the central office has received 211,801 applications/reviews

    171,237 cards were issued
    6,008 not successful
    12,994 await information (so not that high of a percentage)

    That leaves a backlog of 21,562 on the 8 Oct 2010

    Why wasn't the issue addressed then?

    Many people who have sent in all their information are still waiting

    Lets not forget, that all they do in the office is put the application on the system, verify by sending out letters and consolidating missing information with claim, notify applicant. All admin work. It shouldn't take long to change the details on a standard letter, print and post.

    Those figures are from 2010 when local health offices where dealing with applications. From what I could tell and im no expert (I only there for a few weeks and never qualified for a medical card myself) LHOs were looking for far less details from applicants than what is now being looked for thus the % of uncomplete applications being much much higher today.

    It' not fully explained what is needed on the form and people are sending in the wrong things, somthing leaving them having to send stuff in 2,3 and 4 times before having a completed application.

    When working there I advised my freind who was filling out the application form of all the documentary evidence he needed when applying, He did as I advised and 4 weeks later he had a card. (I had no influence in this nor did I see his application)


  • #73
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    Pingi wrote: »
    Those figures are from 2010 when local health offices where dealing with applications. From what I could tell and im no expert (I only there for a few weeks and never qualified for a medical card myself) LHOs were looking for far less details from applicants than what is now being looked for thus the % of uncomplete applications being much much higher today.

    It' not fully explained what is needed on the form and people are sending in the wrong things, somthing leaving them having to send stuff in 2,3 and 4 times before having a completed application.

    When working there I advised my freind who was filling out the application form of all the documentary evidence he needed when applying, He did as I advised and 4 weeks later he had a card. (I had no influence in this nor did I see his application)

    The figures for 2010 are for the central office not LHO
    As of the 8 October 2010 the central office has received 211,801 applications/reviews,
    issued 171,237 medical cards on foot of these applications and a further 7,185 cards are
    due to be issued in the coming days. 6,008 applications were not successful.
    All complete applications are processed in 15 working days. The length of time it takes
    to process an incomplete application depends on how quickly the client provides any
    required missing information or documentary evidence to the office to allow the
    appropriate process to be completed. In respect of every incomplete application we write
    to the applicant and we request any missing information. We await information in respect
    of 12,994 applications.

    http://hse.ie/eng/about/PersonalPQ/PQ/2009_PQ_Responses/October_2009/Oct_13/Tom_Hayes_PQ_35378-09_.pdf

    Received: 211,801
    issued 171,237
    7,185 cards are due to be issued
    6,008 applications were not successful
    await information in respect of 12,994 applications

    Total Processed including figures for applications with missing info:197,424

    6.6% of applications are awaiting information, hardly a significant amount


  • #74
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    micropig wrote: »
    The figures for 2010 are for the central office not LHO


    http://hse.ie/eng/about/PersonalPQ/PQ/2009_PQ_Responses/October_2009/Oct_13/Tom_Hayes_PQ_35378-09_.pdf

    Received: 211,801
    issued 171,237
    7,185 cards are due to be issued
    6,008 applications were not successful
    await information in respect of 12,994 applications

    Total Processed including figures for applications with missing info:197,424

    6.6% of applications are awaiting information, hardly a significant amount


    We are now in 2012 with a new system in place for applying. What I'm saying is during the summer the percentage of incomplete applications arriving was definitely much higher than 6.6% and I would imagion still is.

    The information provided in that letter dated 2010 in no way reflects the current situation and time frames since the LHOs stopped taking applications in July

    Just to give you an idea of how much extra work was taken on over the summer it took 15 people to answer the phone up until July, When I left in October there was 45(then 44 ) and they were hiring more.


  • #75
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    Pingi wrote: »
    We are now in 2012 with a new system in place for applying. What I'm saying is during the summer the percentage of incomplete applications arriving was definitely much higher than 6.6% and I would imagion still is.

    The information provided in that letter dated 2010 in no way reflects the current situation and time frames since the LHOs stopped taking applications in July

    Just to give you an idea of how much extra work was taken on over the summer it took 15 people to answer the phone up until July, When I left in October there was 45(then 44 ) and they were hiring more.

    It takes 15 civil servants to answer a phone?

    150 staff and 45 of them answering phones? - Wouldn't these people be more effective processing applications?
    They would have less phone calls to answer if the processed more

    Can you provide more updated figures so The final part of the centralisation project took place on the 1 of July 2011

    There 21,563 were unprocessed claims on Oct 8 2010, so backlog is nothing to do with the new system. Since 2010, they're work load has been cut, see my previous post

    Mary Harney on the issue in 2010
    http://healthupdate.gov.ie/on-the-record/minister-harney-response-to-parliamentary-question-on-the-centralising-and-processing-of-medical-cards.html

    I particularly like this piece
    The next phase of the project will move the processing of all new applications to the Central Office following a consultative process with staff representatives in line with the recent agreement on pay and reform in the public service.

    &

    Jan O Sullivan 2012 Jan http://healthupdate.gov.ie/on-the-record/medical-cards-topical-issues-debate.html
    http://healthupdate.gov.ie/on-the-record/medical-cards-topical-issues-debate.html


  • #76
    mattjack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    micropig wrote: »
    It takes 15 civil servants to answer a phone?

    150 staff and 45 of them answering phones? - Wouldn't these people be more effective processing applications?
    They would have less phone calls to answer if the processed more

    Can you provide more updated figures so The final part of the centralisation project took place on the 1 of July 2011

    There 21,563 were unprocessed claims on Oct 8 2010, so backlog is nothing to do with the new system. Since 2010, they're work load has been cut, see my previous post

    Wheres that figure 150 staff come from ?


  • #77
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    mattjack wrote: »
    Wheres that figure 150 staff come from ?

    rte news yesterday
    http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0302/medicalcards.html

    They only took on 20 recently, so until recently, there were 130 people and 45 of them answering phones?:eek:


    RTE reporting in 2010 about the major delays, not much has changed since, even with the central database and online application systems?

    http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0322/health.html


  • #78
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    micropig wrote: »
    It takes 15 civil servants to answer a phone?

    150 staff and 45 of them answering phones? - Wouldn't these people be more effective processing applications?
    They would have less phone calls to answer if the processed more

    Can you provide more updated figures so The final part of the centralisation project took place on the 1 of July 2011

    There 21,563 were unprocessed claims on Oct 8 2010, so backlog is nothing to do with the new system. Since 2010, they're work load has been cut, see my previous post

    Don't think you read my earlier posts. First off not civil servants, sub €9PH outsourced call center workers on crap unsecure temp contracts not 15 people sitting around looking at 1 phone. It was a call center all individual phones with 30 seconds between each call. It really was a rare day that there was nobody in the que, Saw ques of over 100 people trying to get through to the 45 operators.

    I would take anywhere from 60-110 calls a day 75% of them people who were missing information.

    The phone operators are very much needed, but yes definitely more people are needed to process applications,.The operators are basically just the punching bag for P'd off applicants any of them would jump at a chance change roles and process applications.

    Just cause 171,237 were issued also deosnt mean that they weren't missing information when they arrived same goes for the applications that remained unprocessed at the time. It's a very big problem with the application process.

    No I dont have figures just speaking from experience, the way your posting towards me is as if I'm somebody who should justify the HSE and can make changes. I worked in a call center for a few weeks to get me off the dole while I was looking for a new job.

    Couldnt say if the 45 are included in the 150 but they are 100% not civil servants.


  • #79
    mattjack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    I wonder are we talking about two differant buildings. Where did you work pengui ?


  • #80
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    mattjack wrote: »
    I wonder are we talking about two differant buildings. Where did you work pengui ?

    Yes different places, we did not see the applications ever. Just dealt with all calls and could see the statuses of all the applications.

    Public cannot ring the processors because they are too busy processing applications,. The Call centre send up short querys when needed via spread sheet and get answers back and call clients back with answers/updates


  • #81
    mattjack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    Pingi wrote: »
    Yes different places, we did not see the applications ever. Just dealt with all calls and could see the statuses of all the applications.

    Public cannot ring the processors because they are too busy processing applications,. The Call centre send up short querys when needed via spread sheet and get answers back and call clients back with answers/updates

    Yeah, I worked in the offices in Finglas upto May and I can remember vaguely what you're talking about...I ctually think there could be about 260 HSE staff in the main office in Finglas


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  • #82
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    Pingi wrote: »
    Yes different places, we did not see the applications ever. Just dealt with all calls and could see the statuses of all the applications.

    Public cannot ring the processors because they are too busy processing applications,. The Call centre send up short querys when needed via spread sheet and get answers back and call clients back with answers/updates

    I joke about 15 answering one phone. I don't blame the phone operators, as you put it, you are the punching bag and I understand ye get a lot of abuse, but it is bad management in the processing office that has things this way.


    Would you have any idea, out of the 150 staff in the processing office, how many are actually processing applications?


  • #83
    mattjack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    Its hard to see what answer you want Micropig ? You've spoken to people who have directly and indirectly worked for the HSE,both of us indicated that the staff are overrun .Your own information is pretty detailed and concise , I suppose the best step for you would be to contact the HSE and dept of health.
    My family have medical cards and they took about three weeks to arrive,I can tell you from talking to staff that the amount of rubbish written down on application forms beggars belief never mind the carry on at the door and on the phones.
    Ordinarily I wouldn't have any time for the HSE admin,in fact some of them should be sacked ,but with regard to medical cards I'd err in their favour.


  • #84
    Bullseye1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,730 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Work to rule. This is normal practice. Time to end GPA it's not comig up with the results promised by the unions .


  • #85
    denballs
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 837 ✭✭✭denballs


    In my experience of social welfare staff....i have come to the conclusion that 99/100 of them are arrogant lazy overpayed underworked homosapiens.........They treat people like slugs........the only nice person that i know to work for them is a foreign security guard.


  • #86
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    mattjack wrote: »
    Its hard to see what answer you want Micropig ? You've spoken to people who have directly and indirectly worked for the HSE,both of us indicated that the staff are overrun .Your own information is pretty detailed and concise , I suppose the best step for you would be to contact the HSE and dept of health.
    My family have medical cards and they took about three weeks to arrive,I can tell you from talking to staff that the amount of rubbish written down on application forms beggars belief never mind the carry on at the door and on the phones.
    Ordinarily I wouldn't have any time for the HSE admin,in fact some of them should be sacked ,but with regard to medical cards I'd err in their favour.

    Just trying to find out in a office of 150 staff, set up to process medical cards, how many people in the office are doing this task. Could we at least presume half of these people are processors?

    Not sure why I would contact HSE or department of health, sure I could be up to 8 months waiting a reply:p

    If rubbish / incomplete information is on the form, as I've already explained the appropriate letter is sent out and the office is blameless until it is returned, not much more they can do. The patient is informed what extra documentation is required and it is up to them to send it to them. The office has made contact with the person.

    but I don't believe that all the backlog is caused by missing information, and if it is, the form needs to be made clearer so people know what they need to apply.

    they're many people, who have sent in completed applications forms and have heard nothing from the office in months, not even an acknowledgement of receipt.

    An example
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77121246


  • #87
    woodoo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,219 ✭✭✭woodoo


    micropig wrote: »
    12,994 await information (so not that high of a percentage)

    Thats prob a snapshot in time. I'd like to know what percentage of applications coming in each week need further info


    micropig wrote: »
    Lets not forget, that all they do in the office is put the application on the system, verify by sending out letters and consolidating missing information with claim, notify applicant. All admin work. It shouldn't take long to change the details on a standard letter, print and post.

    They have to be assessed against the criteria also.



    micropig wrote: »

    2009 When changing the system union members - We need more money to do this we're over worked.

    Sorry, no more money

    Unions- , we'll show them, everyone only process x number of applications a day, Watch the backlog grow

    Come in on time, go home on time and take your time all day.

    @woodoo the old office done everything manually by hand

    The old offices used computerised systems too. I know a girl who used to work in the local office.


  • #88
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    I don't know how many process applications
    micropig wrote: »

    An example
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77121246



    These people where missing information originally, again the letters sent out explaining what is missing are far too vague. People just don't understand an need it spelled out to them. If I had a penny for everytime I heard "I already sent that" only to figure out what they sent wasn't what was required just something they thought would do.

    It does take longer than it should and the system has many faults (certain reasons people dont qualify/how long it was taking babys to be added before drs took over etc etc)

    But just so you are aware anybody who has their renewal in on time will have there card extended until there new one is processed ensuring they do not lose coverage and new applicants with serious illnesses, injury or medical conditions who send in doctors letters outlining such, provide everything needed and ring up about have there applications are fast tracked. For all other new applicants right information first time and it should sail through in less time than it takes the dole to come through(again that's too long but the 2 are comparable as more are on medical or GP card than dole itself). If your a new applicant and you're missing anything it will and does take ages


  • #89
    rannerap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,900 ✭✭✭rannerap


    I applied last September and got it two weeks ago. Because they took so long I missed the deadline to apply to get €200 back from the fees I paid for college. Really really could have done with that money :(


  • #90
    micropig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,366 ✭✭✭micropig


    woodoo wrote: »
    Thats prob a snapshot in time. I'd like to know what percentage of applications coming in each week need further info

    Any figure will just be a snapshot in time

    According to the Irish Examiner 27/02/2012, 14,000 applications have been received sin Jan of this year.

    woodoo wrote: »
    They have to be assessed against the criteria also.


    Check against a checklist, does the applicant match x,y,z criteria? When you are doing this all day, you would soon become very familiar with whats needed and could do it quite quickly I'd imagine. I can't see how it would take more than half an hour/application.


    woodoo wrote: »
    The old offices used computerised systems too. I know a girl who used to work in the local office.

    For the first time in the State’s history a single uniform system of application processing has been put in place. This system replaces the different systems previously operated through more than 100 Offices across the country. Some of the changes that have been introduced include the medicalcard.ie website and the standardisation of medical card assessments. The new arrangement should ultimately provide for a far more accountable and better managed medical card processing system

    Some guy talks of his experience, Irish Times 05/03/2012


    If unions haven't delivered their end of the deal, well it's time to get rid

    But I think this could be the main problem

    Nearly a year ago a unilateral decision was made to centralise all medical card applications and renewals. All medical card applications and renewals are now being processed by the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS. The PCRS was not designed for this purpose and has been forced to try to cope with the extra and unfamiliar workload......The PCRS was not set up to deal with medical cards...The PCRS was not consulted on the plan to centralise the medical system and place it under its control.

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

    Edit 14,000 applications in 8 weeks. Average 1750/week. Each member of a 75 person Team (is it safe to assume at least half are processors?)= Each member of the team would have to process 23/week or 4.6 claims a day. Sure this gives them ample time to catch up on the backlog? Since February 2012 GP's have been issuing cards to new borns.


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  • #91
    Pingi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭Pingi


    micropig wrote: »
    Some guy talks of his experience, Irish Times 05/03/2012


    Regarding this, Kids under 16 with certain conditions can apply in there own right, I have spoken to may of there parents. I dont know the list of conditions it covers if cystic fibrosis is not covered it should be. (If this has changed since November I apologies)

    But regarding waiting to appeal,this would be extremely time wasting on his part, if the family sent the medical reports with the first time application along with his financial documents details I am 95% sure the card would be issued for the child without need for appeal, (I dont know there circumstances just going by the article) Its very common for one person in a family that would be over the financial threshold to be granted a card under medical circumstances much less sever than this boys.

    In the off chance they wouldn't get the card everybody in country can avail of the €132 drugs payment scheme card meaning the family would never have to pay over €132 for meds eliminating the majority of the €3000.

    This amount being paid out for medication would also be taken into consideration towards what the family could earn before being over the limit for the card.


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