Ineligible medical card holders face penalty

PENSIONERS could be penalised for failing to return their medical card after new figures shows almost half of those due to return the card under controversial new rules have not done so.

Figures from the HSE show that 12,101 medical cards held by people over the age of 70 have been returned – well short of the estimated 20,000 older people who became ineligible for a medical card under measures introduced last year by the Government.

The universal right to a medical card ended last year with new income thresholds set in place for those aged 70 and above.