GPs hit medical card patients for cost of blood tests

Medical card patients have been urged to contact the Health Service Executive (HSE) if they have been charged for a blood test by their GP.

The practice of charging for the routine taking of blood samples began when the government reduced the amount they pay doctors for treating medical card patients under the General Medical Services (GMS) contracts.

Fees for blood tests range between €10 and €45 even though these costs were to have been absorbed by the medics under the new contracts.

The Connacht Tribune has learned of three different GP practices in Galway which now charge for the service.

In response to a query in relation to the fees, the HSE confirmed that this should not be the case.

“The routine taking of blood samples from patients forms part of the normal and necessary treatment of patients undertaken by a GP and are covered under the Medical Card Scheme, meaning that the card holder should not be charged,” a spokeswoman said.

“If a patient has information about a GP charging inappropriately, they should contact their HSE Local Area Office. The HSE is in ongoing dialogue with GPs on this matter.”

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.