Entitlements

Entitlements

• DRUGS PAYMENT SCHEME (DPS)

  The Drugs Payment Scheme covers families and individuals for the cost of their prescribed medication. Under DPS, no family or individual will have to pay more than a set fee per calendar month for all approved prescribed drugs, medicines and applications. The scheme is not means tested and can be applied for in the Pharmacy immediately if necessary. The current fee is €134.



• PRESCRIPTION LEVY

  From 1st October 2010, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has introduced a 50c levy on every item dispensed on medical card prescriptions. Every pharmacy is now obliged by law to collect this levy on every medical card item dispensed.
  If you or your family spend more than €10 per month on the levy, the amount exceeding €10 per month can be claimed back from the HSE. Under the current arrangements we are obliged to collect the 50c levy even if you have already paid in excess of €10 in a calendar month.
   
  If you have any queries in relation to the levy or if you need the local HSE office contact details, please ask your pharmacist or visit www.hse.ie for more information.



• GP VISIT CARD

  GP Visit Cards can allow individuals and families in Ireland to visit their family doctor for free. Only the cost of visits to your family doctor is free; you must pay for prescribed drugs, medicines and other health services similar to others who don’t have a Medical Card.
   
  If you are granted a GP Visit Card you should also apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card if you don’t already have one.



• LONG TERM ILLNESS SCHEME

  If you have certain long-term illnesses or disabilities, you may apply to join the Long Term Illness Scheme and you will be supplied with a Long Term Illness book. This book allows you to get drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of your illness, free of charge. It does not depend on your income or other circumstances and is separate from the Medical Card Scheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.
   
  If you already have been given a Medical Card, you do not need to apply for a Long Term Illness book. If you become ineligible for a Medical Card at any stage, but have one of the medical conditions below, you should apply to join the Long Term Illness scheme to cover the cost of your medication.
   
  Acute Leukaemia
  Mental handicap
  Cerebral Palsy
  Mental Illness (in a person under 16)
  Cystic Fibrosis
  Multiple Sclerosis
  Diabetes Insipidus
  Muscular Dystrophies
  Diabetes Mellitus
  Parkinsonism
  Epilepsy
  Phenylketonuria
  Haemophilia
  Spina Bifida
  Hydrocephalus
  Conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide
   
  Application forms can be obtained from the Pharmacy or doctors surgery.

• MEDICAL CARD

  -If you have a medical card, you are entitled to FREE GP and hospital services.
  -If you are issued with a medical card, the card would normally cover you and your dependent spouse and child dependants.
  The Medical Card is valid for one year and once this year is up the person will receive a review form. If this form is not filled out on time, you may run the risk of losing the card or not been re-issued.



• ESSENTIAL NON-GMS SCHEME

  This scheme involves the provision of medicines, medical and surgical appliances appropriate to the treatment of their condition to persons with full eligibility (i.e. medical card holders) and persons suffering from a long term prescribed illness, who are not able to provide these requirements for themselves.



• EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD

  The European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (formerly the E111 form) allows the holder to access health care services when travelling to other EU or EEA countries. Anyone who is living in Ireland or intends to live here for a year can apply for an EHIC from the HSE. Contact your local health office or apply online www.ehic.ie