Having a Medical Card entitles patients to a range of services for free. This includes:

 

• Doctor Visits - a range of family doctor or GP services from a chosen doctor contracted to the HSE in your local area;
• Prescription Medicines: The supply of prescribed approved medicines, aids and appliances like wheelchairs, crutches etc. In some circumstances a deposit may be required for aids and appliances which will be refunded on return of the aid or appliance. A €1 - €1.50 charge applies to all prescription medicines dispensed to medical card patients depending on age;
• Certain Dental, Ophthalmic (Eye), and Aural (Ear) health services;
• Hospital Care - all in-patient services in public wards in public hospitals, including public consultant services;
• Hospital Visits - All out-patient services in public hospitals, including public consultant services;
• Medical & Midwifery Care for Mothers, including health care related to pregnancy and the care of the child for six weeks after birth;
• Some personal and social care services, for example, public health nursing, social work services and other community care services based on client need.

Access to a medical card is means tested and cards are generally awarded to applicants below a certain income level. There are different guidelines for those aged under 70years and those aged over 70 years. If you are marginally above thelimit for a full medical card you could get a GP Visit card whichjust entitles you to see your GP for free.

 

 

 

 

You may apply online at: Apply for a medical card - HSE.ie or by clicking - medical-card-application-form-english.pdf (hse.ie) to download the form and posting it to the below address.

 

Client Registration Unit,

P.O. Box 11745,

Dublin 11.