Unauthorised uses

A cardholder cannot:

• assign, transfer, lend, bail, gift, sell, pledge, or mortgage the card to any person or deal with the card in a manner that allows any person to make an unauthorised use of the card or
• use the card after being asked for its return in writing by MSD

No person can:

• accept any Community Services Card by way of assignment, transfer, loan, bailment, gift, sale, pledge or mortgage
• use another person's Community Services Card or
• use any Community Services Card not issued to that person in any other way

If a client uses their Community Services Card in an unauthorised way, you can ask in writing for the Community Services Card to be returned. The client can also be fined up to $1,000.

No person other than employees of MSD, or a service provider authorised by the Ministry of Health or a Pharmacist demand or request the Community Services Card as identification or to confirm that the client is eligible for the card.

If a client cannot produce their Community Services Card as evidence for MSD, or a service provider authorised by the Ministry of Health, they may be treated as if they are not the holder of a Community Services Card. In these situations, a client may be reimbursed if they are charged for medical fees.

No person other than an authorised person collecting public transport fares, issuing public transport tickets or operating or working in a public transport service can request or demand a Community Services Card as evidence to confirm a person is eligible for the card and the 50% discount on public transport fares.

If a person does not provide their Community Services Card to an authorised person when it is requested, the person may be treated as if they are not a holder of the card and may need to pay a full price fare.

Note that the person cannot be reimbursed if they must pay a full price fare.