gp visit card entitlements

430,000 to become eligible for GP visit cards in coming months as scheme expands

Process of allocating cards is being staggered across income levels to ensure hse has the capacity to process high number of applications expected.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: he said the expansion will mean that 'for the first time in the history of our State over half the population will have access to free GP care'. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Around 430,000 people will become eligible to apply for GP visit cards in the coming months as the scheme is expanded to anyone earning up to the median income. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it was all part of “the biggest expansion in access to GP care in decades”.

Some 500,000 people will be newly eligible for the scheme overall when the six- and seven-year-old children – who were added in August – are included. The cards allow free visits to participating family doctors.

Mr Donnelly said the expansion was “important, symbolically, on our way to universal healthcare because now for the first time in the history of our State over half the population will have access to free GP care”.

The process of allocating the cards to people paid up to the median income is being staggered depending on income levels. This is to ensure the Health Service Executive (HSE) has the capacity to process the high number of applications expected.

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One example of the income thresholds is single people who live alone. Those with a weekly income of €361 or less will be able to apply for a GP visit card through a dedicated online system from September 11th. The income limit for the same category of applicant will rise to €418 from November 13th, allowing more people to apply at that point.

All children up to and included the age of seven are already entitled to GP visit cards. The Government has committed to providing the cards to all children under 12 but Mr Donnelly said he would not be pushing for a further expansion in this year’s budget talks.

He said GPs raised “very legitimate concerns” about the capacity to absorb the extra demand “which inevitably will follow”, adding: “I believe that we have pushed that as far as it can be pushed without creating other problems for all the other patients in terms of access.”

This year’s expansion was announced in Budget 2023 but was delayed by opposition from GPs, who said they would be unable to cope with the additional workload. Long-running talks with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) were completed in June.

The measures, projected last year to cost €111 million, now have a price tag of €130 million.

Mr Donnelly said the deal with the IMO increased the rates of payments to GPs and provided increased resources to GPs in terms of hiring, retaining, and training-up staff.

He said the number of healthcare course were also increasing in a bid to address what he said was “a very real shortage of GPs in some parts of the country”.

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn is a Political Correspondent at The Irish Times

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The people that qualify for free GP visit card after Budget 2023 with half a million more now eligible

Currently, children aged 5 and under and those over 70 qualify for scheme - but this will be expanded significantly in the coming months

• 15:51, 29 SEP 2022

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Hundreds of thousands more people will qualify for free GP care following Budget 2023.

Currently, children aged under six and those over 70 qualify for scheme - but this will be expanded significantly in the coming months. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has called the expansion of the scheme "a gamechanger" and said that Budget 2023 marks the "highest allocation of funding to the health service in the history of the state".

Other health measures announced in Budget 2023 include the scrapping of hospital inpatient fees, expanding the free contraception scheme to women aged 30 and under and the provision of IVF services.

Read more: Budget 2023: Thousands more now eligible for fuel allowance as payment hiked by hundreds

Minister Donnelly said that the expansion of the GP visit card scheme will see half a million more people become eligible. Here's everything you need to know:

Who is eligible?

Currently, children under six, people over 70 and those who get Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance at half or full rate qualify. Under Budget 2023, the GP visits card scheme will be expanded to cover all children aged six and seven, as well as people who earn the median household income of €46,000 or less. The figure is net household income, after tax.

When are the cards being issued?

By the end of 2022, children aged six and seven will have received their GP visit card. From April 1, 2023, the scheme will be expanded to those with a net median household income of €46,000 or less.

What does the scheme cover?

A GP visit card allows you to visit a participating GP for free, including out of hours services. Blood tests to diagnose or monitor a condition are covered.

The card does not cover hospital charges or prescribed drugs.

How can those who qualify under Budget 2023 apply?

More information on how those who qualify under Budget 2023 can get their free GP visit card will be released in the coming months. Citizens Information says: "These changes require legislation. This page will be updated as more detail becomes available."

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GP Visit Card Contract

This contract provides for the provision of medical and surgical services to persons who, while not eligible for a full medical card, would otherwise incur costs in accessing GP services.

The cost of medication is not covered under this Contract.

Related Files

Form of Agreement with registered Medical Practitioners for provision of services to certain persons with limlited eligibility.

Format: PDF | File Size: 311KB

Entitlements

This page sets out some information which you will find useful with your or your family member’s diagnosis of epilepsy. The page aims to set out various entitlements which you may qualify for and signposts to where you can obtain further information.

Long Term Illness Scheme

This is arguably the most important scheme to be aware of for a person with epilepsy. This is because qualification for the scheme is condition specific and is not means-tested meaning you do not have meet certain income thresholds to qualify. Epilepsy is a qualifying condition for eligibility for the Long-Term Illness scheme.

Once you have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, you are entitled to the Long-Term Illness scheme. The scheme ensures that all costs of medications prescribed for your epilepsy are covered the state. Prescription charges do not apply these medications. Therefore, even if you have a Medical Card (see information on that below), it worth getting a LTI card as you will not have to pay prescription charges.  You can avail of the LTI card even if you have a full medical card or a GP visit card.

Further information

• Citizens Information Website – Long-Term Illness scheme
• HSE Website – Long-Term Illness scheme
• Application form – Long-Term Illness scheme
• Application form – Long-Term Illness scheme (Irish)

Note: Even though there is automatic entitlement for the Long-term Illness scheme because of having epilepsy, you still must apply for the benefit. The HSE will not be sending you an LTI card automatically at the point of your or your family member’s diagnosis, so you need to apply directly.

Am I entitled to Free Travel?

Free Travel is available to people on specified benefits and allowances. The eligible payments for free travel include disability allowance, invalidity pension, state old age pension, carers and blind pension. If you are receiving one of these payments then you are eligible for free travel - further information on some of these payments by visiting the 'Disability Payments' section of our website.   However, due to the individual nature of epilepsy, many people will not qualify for these payments and still have challenges due to not being able to drive as a result of our epilepsy. After a long campaign by Epilepsy Ireland, this will be changing and in Jul 24, people who are deemed medically unfit to drive for at least a year will be able to able for free travel. You can read more about this development  by visiting the 'Advocacy' section of our website.

Medical Card & GP Visit Card

If you hold a medical card, you can receive certain health services free of charge. Normally, your dependent spouse or partner and your children are also covered for the same range of health services. A GP visit card allows you to visit a participating family doctor (GP) for free.

Often, we are asked whether there is automatic entitlement for a Medical Card or a GP Visit card because of a diagnosis of epilepsy. The short answer here is no – there is no automatic entitlement. However, you may qualify for a card provided you meet the income thresholds. These thresholds change depending on your circumstances – number of dependent children, whether you have a spouse or partner etc. Additionally, discretionary Medical or GP visit cards can be awarded in certain cases even if income limits have been surpassed due to medical need.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, you can see further information below at the links below. If you feel you are exceeding income limits, our advice would be to apply anyway and have your information assessed. This is worth doing as a discretionary decision could be made given your or your family member’s diagnosis of epilepsy.

The Medical Card and GP Visit card are assessed under the one application form and take account of the entire household as part of the application process – i.e, if you have a family of four (two parents and two children; one child with epilepsy), you will need to include details of the entire household, even if you are only applying with the view to establishing your child’s eligibility for a Medical or GP visit card.  Those over 70 automatically qualify for a GP visit card but can have their eligibility for a full Medical Card assessed under the form.

Children with epilepsy and Medical & GP visit cards

There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card or GP visit card for children with epilepsy. However, if you are availing of Domicilliary Care Allowance for your child, there is an automatic entitlement for a full medical card. Further information on DCA is contained under the “Disability and other allowances” in this section of our site.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned, there is the possibility that your child could be entitled to a discretionary card even if your household do not quality. Again, this is why we recommend that you apply and have your eligibility assessed.

Finally, all children up to the age of 5 are entitled to a GP visit card. 

Further Information

• Citizens Information Website – Medical & GP Visit Cards
• HSE Website – Medical & GP visit Cards
• HSE Website - Application form for Medical & GP Visit Cards
• HSE Website - Application form for Medical & GP Visit Cards (Irish )
• HSE Website – Apply online for a Medical or GP Visit card

Note: As with the LTI scheme, even if there is automatic entitlement to a GP Card (child aged up to 5, aged over 70 ), you still need to apply directly to the HSE for the card.

Drugs Payments Scheme

While people with epilepsy are entitled to free epilepsy medication ion the Long-Term Illness Scheme they will have to pay for other prescribed medication unless they have a full medical card. Some people with epilepsy can be living with other conditions and the LTI scheme may not cover prescriptions for this as it is unrelated to their epilepsy. If you do qualify for a medical card, then the Drugs Payment Scheme help to ensure that no individual or family pays no more than a certain amount for an approved prescribed medication. As of Budget 22, this maximum amount is €100 per month.

• HSE Website -  Drugs Repayment Scheme
• HSE Website - Application Form Drugs Repayment Scheme
• HSE Website - Application From Drugs Repayment Scheme (Irish)
• HSE Website - Apply online for Drugs Repayment Scheme

Hospital charges

We know that people with epilepsy can be regularly admitted to hospital due a seizure and should they not qualify for a medical card, we often field questions about how much this may cost. There is no public inpatient charge for hospital stay. However, should you self-present to A&E without a medical referral, the charge is €100.

• HSE Website – Hospital Charges

Dental Care

Dental care can often be an issue for many people with epilepsy due to the nature of their seizures. Medical card holders are entitled to certain dental treatments such as a dental exam, 2 fillings and extractions as necessary in a year. Medical card holders with certain medical conditions, including epilepsy, are eligible for additional treatments such as teeth cleaning, as well.  Your dentist can advise on eligibility for these treatments. If you need dentures the dentist can apply to the HSE for approval to provide these.

• HSE Website – Dental Services & Treatment

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Over 70s means test for medical cards

Introduction, what income is assessed, income over the basic rates for over 70s, savings and investments assessment, is property assessed for the over 70s medical card, more information.

If you are aged over 70, you automatically qualify for a GP visit card . You can get a medical card instead if your weekly income is below a certain amount. Your income, savings and investments are reviewed by the HSE in the means test. However, there are certain exceptions.

Check if you automatically qualify for a medical card, as some people are exempt from the means test.

If you are aged under 70 , there is a different means test for a medical card.

Medical card basic rates for over 70s

The weekly basic rate of income for a single person over the age of 70 is:

• €550 for a single person
• €1,050 for couples who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership

Your weekly income is your gross income (your income before tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge (USC) have been deducted).

If your only income comes from social welfare or HSE payments, you should get a medical card even if your income is above the means test rate for your age group.

Medical card basic rates for couples

The assessment of a couple is based on the age of the older person.

Your spouse or partner is aged under 70 years: Where only one of you is aged over 70 years, you will both qualify for a medical card if your combined income is not over €1,050 a week.

Surviving spouse or partner: If your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner dies and you are aged over 70, you can keep your medical card for 3 years, provided that your income remains less than the limit for a couple. After 3 years, the relevant income limit for a single person applies.

If you are aged under 70 when your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner dies, the relevant income limit for a single person applies.

The HSE reviews your gross weekly income from:

• Interest from savings and investments
• All other sources of income

Your gross income is your income before tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge (USC) have been deducted.

Income not assessed

If you are over 70, the HSE will not assess income from:

• Fuel Allowance
• Telephone Support Allowance
• Living Alone Allowance
• Additional property if generating no rental income
• Household Benefits awarded by Department of Social Protection , for example, electricity or gas allowance and television licence)

When reviewing your income for a medical card the HSE does not include:

If your income is above the HSE basic rate for over 70s you:

• Will get a GP visit card for over 70s
• Can still apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme
• May be assessed under the basic rates for people under 70

If your income is reviewed under the means test for people under 70 , certain income is not assessed and some allowable expenses (such as rent or mortgage costs and nursing home fees) will be taken into account.

Discretionary medical card

If your finances are still above the qualifying limits for a medical card , the HSE can look at your social and medical situation. They will decide if you would have trouble paying for medical care for you and your family, and may give you a discretionary medical card . For example, they will consider if you would have difficulty meeting significant ongoing medical expenses without a medical card.

If you still do not qualify for a medical card, you:

Your savings and investments are also reviewed by the HSE in the means test for a medical card .

Savings and investments of up to €36,000 for a single person, and up to €72,000 for a couple, are disregarded.

Interest on savings or investments over the limit is taken into account in the means test.

This means that only the interest or income earned on your savings and investments will be counted as income, not the total value of the savings or investments themselves.

How does the HSE assess interest?

There are different ways the HSE can assess your savings and investments. They can use:

• A Certificate of Interest (usually from your bank) of all your savings, or
• Copies of bank statements showing the current balance on your account or account

If you have stocks or shares, you will need to provide a copy of your current Share Certificates showing shareholdings.

The HSE can calculate your weekly income from savings and investments using the following rules:

For example, if you are a couple and have €90,000 in savings, any income on the first €72,000 will not be considered.  The income on the next €10,000 will be considered at €1 per €1,000 totalling €10. The balance of €8,000 will be considered at €2 per €1,000 totalling €16.

Check what documents you may need for the HSE to assess your income from savings and investment .

If you are over 70, the value of your properties are not assessed by the HSE. This could be a family home, a holiday home or any other property.

Property that you rent out

If you have property that you rent out, the rental income is assessed by the HSE. Rental income can include income from renting a room in your family home, a holiday home, leased land or any other property.

Rental income is assessed after deducting mortgage payments and insurance premiums.

Property that is not rented

If you are aged over 70, income will not be assessed from your property that is not generating a rental income.

If you are aged under 70 and have unused land or buildings that you are not renting, but could be leased or sold, the HSE reviews the value of the property as a savings and investment assessment (above).

Read more information about the medical card , including how to apply. Find a copy of the application form for a medical card for over 70s .

You can read more information about medical cards and GP visit cards , including how to apply. If you are under 70, check if you are eligible under the means test for people aged under 70.

You can also read about prescription charges for medical card holders .

Find more information on the medical card and GP visit card on the HSE website. You can also find more detail in the HSE Assessment Guidelines for medical cards and GP visit cards .

The HSE has information on financial assessment.

Related documents

• Under 70s means test for medical card and GP visit card How your income is assessed for the medical card and GP visit card if you are under 70 years of age. 2077.4365
• Cash income not included in the means test This page lists the income from cash not included in the means test for social welfare payments. 1670.8728
• Emergency medical cards In certain emergency situations, a healthcare professional can apply for you to get a medical card known as an emergency medical card. 1509.6478

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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Carers GP visit card

If you get Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance, at full or half rate, you can visit your GP for free.

Register by email or post

To apply for an carers GP visit card by email or post, download and fill in the GP visit card for carers registration form (PDF, 1.05MB, 4 pages) .

Cárta Cuairte Doctúra do Chúramóirí - Foirm Clárúcháin (Irish, PDF, 1.04MB, 4 pages)

You can also phone 0818 22 44 78 to order an application form in the post.

Where to send the form

[email protected]

National Medical Card Unit - carers GP visit cards, PO Box 12629, Dublin 11

Page last reviewed: 20 January 2023