What is a GP Visit Card?

The cards can allow individuals and families in Ireland to visit their family doctor free of charge. You must pay for prescribed drugs, medicines and other health services. If a person is granted a GP Visit Card they should also apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card.

Am I entitled to a GP Visit Card?

The income guidelines for GP Visit Cards are higher than Medical Cards. The allowances for rent, mortgages and childcare brings many people’s income within the guidelines. If a person applies for a medical card and it is declined, a person is automatically assessed for a GP Visit Card. People can apply for a GP Visit Card on the means that medical costs causes a person undue financial hardship e.g. ongoing medical condition. A person’s entitlements to a GP Visit Card are reviewed periodically.

When can I apply?

You can apply at any time.

How do I apply?

The same application form is used for a medical card and a GP Visit Card. Forms are available from your Local Health Centre or www.hse.ie

What happens if I move to another HSE Local Health Office area?

A person does not have to re-apply for a GP Visit Card but they should get in contact with their new Local Health Office where they will be advised of GPs practising in their new area.

What if I am refused a GP visit card?

If you are not entitled to a GP Visit Card there are other HSE schemes that you can apply for. These schemes are:
Drug Payment Scheme - http://www.hse.ie/eng/Find_a_Service/entitlements/Drugs_Payment_Scheme/Your_Guide_to_Drugs_Payment_Scheme.html
Long-Term Illness Scheme - http://www.hse.ie/eng/Find_a_Service/entitlements/Long_Term_Illness/Your_Guide_to_the_Long-Term_Illness_Scheme.html

It was announced that the basic income guideline for the GP Visit card have been increased.

The basic income element of the means test was set at 25 per cent above the medical card income guideline. This has now increased that to 50 per cent.

This increase coincides with a major new advertising and public awareness campaign on GP Visit Cards by the HSE.

The Government wants to make it as easy as possible for people to get the new GP Visit Card. The card is designed to help people on moderate incomes to visit their GP free of charge.

After the change today, the GP Visit Card should be available to the following people with typical outgoings and the following income after tax and PRSI:
  1. a couple with two children earning about €1,200 a week, €63,400 ayear
  2. a couple with four children earning about €1,580 a week, €82,160 a year
  3. a single parent with one child earning about €1,000 a week, €52,000 a year
  4. a single person with no dependants earning about €426 a week, €22,152 a year.

· The relevant salaries can be well above the average industrial wage.
· So far, approximately 18,000 people have GP Visit Cards.
· The Government has allocated funding this year for 200,000 cards.
· Applications can be made at HSE local offices. Information is also available at www.hse.ie