GP blood test charging row escalates with Mayo call for probe
A MAYO member of the HSE West Forum, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, has called for the HSE to investigate whether GPs are adhering to the rules of the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme
The Castlebar-based represenative is claiming some GPs are charging GMS patients €20 for blood tests - contending that this service should be provided for free.
He has expressed dissatisfaction with the written reply to his query
He was told if a patient feels that they have been wrongly charged for the taking of blood, they can submit the relevant receipt to the HSE at local level and request that the matter be investigated.
Reacting to this response, Councillor Kiicoyne stated: “This is a very contentious question.
“How can a GP decide that he should take a blood test from someone? He listens to their complaint and if he decides they need one, he will do it, that is what this answer supplied to me suggests.
“So, if he feels they don’t need it, but the patient asks for one, he says, I will do it for €20. I am baffled by this.
“How do they all arrive at a charge of €20 for doing this procedure - and to see no competition between them?
“I am sure they are all very competent guys, but none of them values a blood test at say €19 or €25 euro. It makes me very suspicious. It’s just too loose. Who knows better than the patient whether they need a blood test or not?
“It is a bit rich for them to be chasing money like this. None of these guys, if you look at the figures they get every year under the GMS scheme, are in any way on low income, yet €20 euro seems to be very important. They leave a lot to be desired.”
Replying, Breda Crehan-Roche, chief officer, Community Healthcare West stated: “According to the GMS contract, the decision to take the blood test is based on their clinical judgement.
“They will see how the patient presents and if they feel it is necessary, they will decide to do the test.
“Where they may feel a blood test is not required but the patient wants one, they can impose a charge or waive it at their discretion.
"If a patient feels they have been wrongly charged, they can raise it with us at the HSE and ask for it to be investigated, and it will be taken seriously and investigated under the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme. That is how it works.”
Councillor Kilcoyne responded: “I accept that, yes, but it is very unlikely the doctor will say they didn’t need a blood test but the patient asked for one.
“It is also very hard to see anyone would come to that conclusion weeks or months later through an investigation. I am of the view that these guys and ladies are told very seriously, if you want to be part of this scheme, you must adhere to if fully.”