Practice Managers Manual - Irish Health Repository

Health (Amendment) Act 1996 – Hepatitis C
The HAA card is given to persons who contracted Hepatitis C from the administration within the State of
blood or blood products. It is not the same as a medical card. The HAA card is personal to the individual
cardholder and does not cover family members. A cardholder is entitled to all general practitioner medical and
surgical services, in relation to all medical conditions, provided by a registered medical practitioner chosen by
the cardholder.
How to apply for a HAA Card:
Persons wishing to apply for a HAA card may request an application form from the Hepatitis C Liaison Officer
in the Primary Care Unit at the address below. Completed applications are returned to the Liaison Officer,
together with documentary evidence confirming that the patient is positive to the Hepatitis C virus/antibodies
as a result of receiving whole blood/blood products within the state.
Remuneration:
Doctors are remunerated for treating HAA cardholders per client visit and not on the basis of an annual
capitation fee. Therefore a Special Treatment Services form should be signed by the client to enable the General
Practitioner to be remunerated in respect of the consultation. The forms are supplied by the Primary Care
Reimbursement Service, and returned there when making claims.
It is important that General Practitioners write prescriptions on a private prescription form and not on the
form used for medical card prescriptions. A patient is entitled to have these prescriptions dispensed by a
Pharmacist.
Ann Tiernan Hepatitis C Liaison Officer,
Primary Care Unit,
Health Service Executive,
2 nd Floor Block E,
Westland Park,
Nangor Road,
Dublin 12
Tel: 01 – 4609671
Fax: 01 - 4609697
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