The Public Accounts Committee has heard there will be a substantial review of one million medical cards in 2014.
Health Service Executive Director General Tony O'Brien and Secretary General of the Department of Health Ambrose O'Loughlin were before the committee today.
Mr O'Brien said the guidelines on how discretionary medical cards are applied has not changed.
He said if people continue to be eligible, they will continue to hold a medical card.
Both Mr O'Brien and Dr O'Loughlin have insisted there has been no change in policy in respect of medical cards.
Mr O'Brien said every time a card is granted it is for a window of time, pointing out that there is a review date.
He said while medical circumstances might not change, eligibility of medical cards does.
