Medical cards for over 70s

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cinders55

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Good afternoon. I heard references to an IMO statement on a HSE 3 month extension to these medical cards while listening to Newstalk bulletins last week. I can't be the only one who heard it but I haven't managed to find any further information to that effect on any of the sites involved with this issue. Has anyone else heard about this extension and what it actually means? Any information would be a big help. Thank you.
 
As I did not hear the Newstalk programme I'm not sure what your point is. 3 month extension for what?

The date was set for the return of medical cards by over 70's who are no longer entitled to them but the HSE has made clear that if there are still people out there who have not yet returned them they would still be happy to have them back

New applications are being accepted at any time.

By the way have you noted that spouses aged under 70 (married to a 70 year old) can now apply for a medical card if the combined income is within the limit (73.000 for a couple)
 
Hi Black Sheep, thanks for taking the trouble to respond. It wasn't a programme on Newstalk, it was a news headline repeated on the half hour which I heard a few times but it was quoting someone from the IMO and it didn't give much detail. "An extension of what" is really my question and I've been trying to find out more ever since. Morning Ireland did a piece on the same subject a few weeks back in which they mentioned "an extension" to the end of March but they said that it had not been widely publicised, and I could find nothing new on the HSE site at all. I'm trying to find out if it's an extension of the time for people to use their cards or if it's an extension of the date to return them, or if in fact there is some thought being given to the wisdom of taking back the cards in the first place. I hadn't heard about the under 70 spouse situation which should be helpful to some people, but I'm enquiring on behalf of my elderly parent, so it doesn't really apply to us.
 
I understand (but am open to correction) that there was a deadline in March by which time the over 70s had to submit their declaration of income or return their cards, but that this has been quietly extended to May. It may even be extended further, but who knows...? So if an over 70 card holder exceeds the income threshold, he/she can still keep the card for a little longer.
 
Many thanks for the information, Oopsbuddy, very helpful to know I didn't dream the whole thing. What a pity "they" have to be so secretive about it, and in the process make it so difficult for people to simply know where they stand. If it's in order to ask, could you post here again if you hear anything else about the cards, I'd be very grateful for any information at all. Thanks again.
Cinders.
 
Of course, the 3 month extension only applies to single people with gross weekly income of 700+ or married with gross income of 1400 + pw.
 
Last week it was announced that over 19,000 over 70's medical card were returned. This week however that number has shrunk to around 10,000.

Strange.....very strange
 
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