Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background In Ireland, the means tested General Medical Services (GMS) scheme provides access to a range of healthcare services at no or low cost to approximately one third of the population. Individuals eligible for the GMS scheme are often a focus of research, as a population that account for a la...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2023-10-01
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| Series: | HRB Open Research |
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| Online Access: | https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/5-67/v2 |
| _version_ | 1797656187617935360 |
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| author | Molly Mattsson Emma Wallace Fiona Boland Michelle Flood Frank Moriarty |
| author_facet | Molly Mattsson Emma Wallace Fiona Boland Michelle Flood Frank Moriarty |
| author_sort | Molly Mattsson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background In Ireland, the means tested General Medical Services (GMS) scheme provides access to a range of healthcare services at no or low cost to approximately one third of the population. Individuals eligible for the GMS scheme are often a focus of research, as a population that account for a large proportion of healthcare services use. The aim of this study is to describe the eligibility rates and representativeness of the GMS scheme population over time, with respect to age group, sex, and geographical area in Ireland. Methods Population data was obtained from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), using 2016 Census figures and projected population figures for 2017-2021. GMS eligibility figures for 2016-2021 were obtained from the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS). GMS eligibility rates and relative rates of eligibility were calculated for 2016-2021 by age group and sex. Additionally, 2016 eligibility rates were calculated by geographical area. Results The crude eligibility rate decreased from 36.4% in 2016 to 31.2% in 2020, with a slight increase to 31.6% in 2021. In the 75+ years age group, 78.2% of the total population were eligible for the GMS scheme in 2021. The age group with the lowest rate of eligible individuals was the 25–34 age group, with 19.5% eligible in 2021. The eligibility rate was higher among females compared to males throughout the study period. The highest eligibility rate was seen in Donegal, with a crude rate of 52.8%. Dublin had the lowest rate, with a crude rate of 29.3%. Conclusions GMS eligibility varies greatly depending on age, sex, and geographical area, and decreased between 2016 and 2021. This study uses the most up-to-date data available to provide age group, sex and area-based figures for GMS eligibility which may inform planning and conduct of research focusing on GMS-eligible individuals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:26:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a8240d968754d62acd2d0fd9c8df83f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2515-4826 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:26:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HRB Open Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a8240d968754d62acd2d0fd9c8df83f2023-10-19T00:00:00ZengF1000 Research LtdHRB Open Research2515-48262023-10-01515134Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Molly Mattsson0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7208-3613Emma Wallace1Fiona Boland2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3228-0046Michelle Flood3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8284-1780Frank Moriarty4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9838-3625Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, IrelandUniversity College Cork, Cork, IrelandRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, IrelandRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, IrelandRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, IrelandBackground In Ireland, the means tested General Medical Services (GMS) scheme provides access to a range of healthcare services at no or low cost to approximately one third of the population. Individuals eligible for the GMS scheme are often a focus of research, as a population that account for a large proportion of healthcare services use. The aim of this study is to describe the eligibility rates and representativeness of the GMS scheme population over time, with respect to age group, sex, and geographical area in Ireland. Methods Population data was obtained from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), using 2016 Census figures and projected population figures for 2017-2021. GMS eligibility figures for 2016-2021 were obtained from the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS). GMS eligibility rates and relative rates of eligibility were calculated for 2016-2021 by age group and sex. Additionally, 2016 eligibility rates were calculated by geographical area. Results The crude eligibility rate decreased from 36.4% in 2016 to 31.2% in 2020, with a slight increase to 31.6% in 2021. In the 75+ years age group, 78.2% of the total population were eligible for the GMS scheme in 2021. The age group with the lowest rate of eligible individuals was the 25–34 age group, with 19.5% eligible in 2021. The eligibility rate was higher among females compared to males throughout the study period. The highest eligibility rate was seen in Donegal, with a crude rate of 52.8%. Dublin had the lowest rate, with a crude rate of 29.3%. Conclusions GMS eligibility varies greatly depending on age, sex, and geographical area, and decreased between 2016 and 2021. This study uses the most up-to-date data available to provide age group, sex and area-based figures for GMS eligibility which may inform planning and conduct of research focusing on GMS-eligible individuals.https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/5-67/v2health service executive eligibility rates general medical services scheme local health officeeng |
| spellingShingle | Molly Mattsson Emma Wallace Fiona Boland Michelle Flood Frank Moriarty Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] HRB Open Research health service executive eligibility rates general medical services scheme local health office eng |
| title | Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Eligibility rates and representativeness of the General Medical Services scheme population in Ireland 2016-2021: A methodological report [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | eligibility rates and representativeness of the general medical services scheme population in ireland 2016 2021 a methodological report version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| topic | health service executive eligibility rates general medical services scheme local health office eng |
| url | https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/5-67/v2 |
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