Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_06_21/GA_2106_E1_010.pdf 

Extracted text

10 N E W S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

June 21 2007

Galway people refunded 25,000 on average due to illegal State charges
BY MARY O'CONNOR Some 800 claims have been lodged by Galway people to reclaim money that was charged illegally by the State to medical card holders for public nursing home care. So far nearly 200 local claims have been settled with repayment amounts ranging from a few euro to 125,000 in the case of one person. The average repayment is 25,000. The money is being paid out under the Health Repayment Scheme which entitles older people or their next of kin to seek refunds. The Health Service Executive will hold a Health Repayments Scheme open day at the Radisson SAS Hotel from 10am to 7pm on Thursday next to help people who were wrongly charged for public residential care to apply for repayment under the scheme. Kieran Wallace, the scheme's administrator, says he believes there are many more people in Galway who are eligible for repayment but may not realise this or know how to apply for the refund. "There are also people who may have had difficulty filling out the claim form and now find that their claim cannot be processed until this is addressed. By going to Galway and giving people access to experts who can help them meet the requirements of the scheme, we hope to speed up repayments to people currently in the system and ensure that everyone who is eligible for repayment gets their money back under the scheme. People just need to fill out the form and we take care of the rest." The open day aims to help people who want to lodge claims and also those whose claims are in the system but are not progressing as insufficient information was provided in their forms. Appointments are not necessary and people are asked to bring the information relevant to their claim with them if possible. The Health Repayments Scheme was launched in August 2006 and covers long-stay residents of public and other residential facilities and/or people who occupied a public bed in a private nursing home and who were wrongfully charged at any time between August 1976 and December 2004. To get a repayment people must have had a medical card or be entitled to one on means grounds. They must also have received inpatient services in a publicly funded facility - one run by the former health boards or by a body acting for the boards. Some contracted beds in private nursing homes are also involved.

Restaurant, Quay Street

Will be opened for good value light lunch from next Monday (24th June) .

SALTHILL AIR SHOW
Celebration After Show Party e
in Association with Salthill Tourist and Development Association a

A Unique Opportunity q to Meet the Pilots ee
Salthill Hotel, Sunday June 24th 2007
Wine Reception 7.30pm Sharp Gala Dinner Followed by Entertainment by Silkwood

Opening Hours, Monday - Saturday 12pm till 2.30pm

Ticket Price E80
Dress Code Smart Casual

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