Q. The practice nurse has drawn my attention to a new maternity claim form. Why has the claim form been changed?

A. The HSE received numerous requests from GPs that all local health offices accept computerised printouts as claims for payment under this scheme. In response to these requests, all local health offices will accept such claims from 1 March 2009. A standardised claim form has been developed and this will be the sole item to be submitted to make a claim under the Maternity and Infant Scheme. The revised claim form has been simplified, so that it contains reimbursement data but not confidential patient information. The number of data items in the form has been reduced by nearly 50%. The GPIT Group is working with the GP software vendors so that this form can be printed off from the GP practice software systems. A claim form in this format will be accepted in your local health office as a reimbursement claim for maternity services. If you wish, you can complete the form manually. You don't need to attach the service claim section of the combined care card. The new form improves patient privacy, is easier to complete and is a stepping stone to the goal of electronic returns. The introduction of this simplified claim form will not in any way affect the current application process for the Maternity and Infant Scheme or the use of the combined care card for clinical records, where appropriate.