Medical Card Blood test charges

Unintended Consequences: Medical Card Holders Charged for Blood Tests Due to Transition in Phlebotomy Services

An important issue has come to light regarding General Practitioners (GPs) charging medical / GP visitor card holders for blood tests.

I’ve received a number of queries about blood test charges because people are concerned that this is an additional financial burden to them when traditionally their blood test was carried out by their hospital free of charge. I believe the issue stems from a broader transition in phlebotomy and other services from hospitals into the community. GPs are not deliberately imposing these charges on medical card holders, rather, it is a consequence of the shift of this service from the hospital to the GP in the community. This means that sometimes it leads to unintended charges for medical / GP visit card holders.

It’s important to note that blood tests for Medical / GP visit card holders for the purpose of monitoring a condition are free of charge under the GP chronic disease management programme.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have been charged for blood tests as part of your routine monitoring, please contact the HSE Local Health Office or the medical card helpline to report the charges you have incurred. By doing so, you will enable them to thoroughly investigate the matter and arrange a refund if deemed appropriate.

Alternatively, you can discuss the situation with your doctor and ask them to contact the GP medical card helpline for guidance and advice.

Contact the Medical Card Unit

National Medical Card Unit,
PO Box 11745,
Dublin 11

Phone: 0818 22 44 78 or 01 864 7100

clientregistration@hse.ie

HSE Contact Medical Card Services page

Card Coverage Line 1800 700 700 option 1, option 3

Complaints email PCRS.Complaints@HSE.ie

Local Health Office 01 628 1395