Medical card holders in the west have been told they could lose their entitlements within the next three weeks unless they provide personal details to the Western Health Board.
Over the past two weeks, the WHB has requested that cardholders provide up to date details such as their mother's maiden name, date of birth, and telephone number. Card holders have been asked to return the details with a signed declaration by August 19th.
"If we don't hear from you by this date, it will be taken you no longer require a medical card and it will be cancelled," said the letter from the WHB.
A member of Galway County Council, Cllr Michael Fahy, predicted many elderly people would fail to return the form on time because they did not seem to realise how important it was.
"It's an awful thing for an old person, between the reality of life and their death, to be told their medical card will be terminated if they don't return the form," he said.
A spokesperson for the Western Health Board insisted it was important for the board to receive accurate and up to date information on people in their area to ensure a better service.