At an information meeting in Tralee recently about Medical Card applications Deputy Michael Healy Rae raised the query why it takes so long for an application to be processed. The Manager of the Medical Card Unit was there to answer any questions and told Michael Healy Rae that 40% of applications that are submitted to them are incomplete and the client has to be contacted for further information. He went on to say that 20% of applications are not signed by the applicant and they need to be returned to the person as the application is void without a signature. This of course delays the process of making a decision on the application however if the application is complete a decision will be made in 15 working days. The Medical card Unit receive 20,000 correspondences each week so this is why they have a standard 15 working day turn around
Deputy Michael Healy Rae says ” it is vital that you check over your application before you submit it and make sure that you submit everything they request eg Payslips, Mortgage payments etc. While I appreciate that gathering all this information can be time consuming your application cannot be processed without the relevant up to date documentation. If anyone has any queries while filling up their application I will only be too glad to assist them.”