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Thousands missing out on €254 medicines bill refund

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  • 05-08-2003 8:42pm
    #1
    sceptre
    Registered Users Posts: 19,608 ✭✭✭✭


    Wasn't too sure where to put this. I'm not actually necessarily trying to create a discussion but it may be of interest to anyone who was a recipient of refunds under the Drug Payments Scheme between July 1999 and March 2001 and didn't notice the tiny adverts placed in the newspapers by the DoH (who didn't want to reimburse anyone at all). In other words, I'm spreading the word. Just here. Or not here if Dave decides it's not a thread for here:)
    Thousands missing out on €254 medicines bill refund
    Irish Indo
    Aug 5 2003


    THOUSANDS of workers who were overcharged by the State for their regular monthly medicines have yet to apply for a refund. The closing date is next month.

    Up to 160,000 people may be eligible to receive a refund of up to €254 in respect of money that was illegally added to their prescription bills over a 20-month period.

    The Department of Health advertised quietly for submissions last month after concluding that it had to make restitution and agreeing with health boards on a scheme for reimbursement.

    It is understood, however, that only a tiny proportion of those who were overcharged have lodged documentary claims for their money back. Now time is running out.

    Tens of thousands of people dependent on regular medicines were illegally charged an extra £10 a month for their medicines under the Drug Payments Scheme from July 1999 to March 2001.

    The overcharging came about because former Health Minister Brian Cowen hadn't signed the necessary regulation to give legal grounding to the move.

    By the time the anomaly was corrected, the increase had been levied for each of 20 months.

    People who can provide documentary evidence of paying for their regular medicines at pharmacies during the period will now be reimbursed following the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman.


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    #2
    b20uvkft6m5xwg
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,695 ✭✭✭b20uvkft6m5xwg


    Well its about money in our pockets Seamus, so this is as good a place to keep it :)

    I'm sure more info can be obtained on www.doh.ie
    (Contrary to popular belief...NOT a Homer Simpson Fan Site!)


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