HSE publishes eligibility limits for over-70 medical cards

The HSE has published the eligibility limits it plans to impose on over-70s who are currently entitled to automatic medical cards.

The move to introduce a means test was announced in Tuesday's budget and has attracted widespread criticism from lobby groups representing older people.

Under the changes, a single person over 70 will only be eligible for a full medical card if their net weekly income is less than €201.50, or €173.50 if they live with a family.

The combined limit for a married couple is €298.

The income limits for GP-only cards will be €302 for a single person, €260 for a single person living with a family and €447 for a married couple.

The new €400 annual Health Support Payment, meanwhile, will be available to any single person over 70 with a net income of less than €650 per week or a couple with a combined income of €1,300.