Healthcare in
Ireland
Q.
Can you please tell me about
Health Care in Ireland - will I qualify for a medical
card?
A.
Anyone over 70 years will get a medical card regardless
of income but if their spouse is under 70 he or she will be
means tested.
Medical Card under EU
regulations
If a State Pension is your only income and you are not
employed or self employed when you return to live in Ireland
then you will get a medical card under EU regulations.
If you receive a works or private pension along with your
State pension you will also get a medical card but, if you
receive any part Irish pension you will be means tested on
the whole amount and may not get one particularly if the
sterling exchange rate is strong against the Euro.
You apply for a medical card to the local Health Service
Executive office
Where you do not qualify for a
medical card
(A) Even if you do not qualify for a 'full' medical card
under the means test, you may still qualify for a G.P Visit
Only Card, as the allowable income guidelines for this card
are set at a higher rate.
(B) Anyone (in your immediate family group - that means
you, your spouse or dependent offspring or dependent
relative living with you) suffering from Mental handicap,
Phenylketonuria, Cystic fibrosis, Haemophililia, Cerebral
palsy, Epilepsy, Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes insipidus,
Multiple scerosis, Muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease,
Acute leukaemia, Spina bifida and hydrocephalus can apply to
go onto the Long Term Illness Scheme which will allow
them to obtain necessary drugs and medicines for the
treatment of that condition free of charge. This applies to
any one returning to live in Ireland regardless of where
they were living before returning home.
(C) Anyone (in your immediate family group - that means
you, your spouse or a dependent offspring or dependent
relative living with you) needing regular prescriptions for
an ongoing illness can apply to be part of the Drugs
Payment Scheme which means that an individual or family
will only have to pay a specific amount per month for all
approved prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances for use
by that person or his/her family in that month. Anything
spend over the sum allowed can be reclaimed. This applies to
any one returning to live in Ireland regardless of where
they were living before returning home.
If you currently hold private medical insurance contact
your provider to check whether or not you will be covered in
Ireland and/or can you transfer your cover to Ireland. The
main insurance cover operating in Ireland is V.H.I, Vivas
Health and B.U.P.A
Breathing space - You
can use your British Medical card for 3 months after
arriving permanently to live in Ireland.
If you do not get a 'full'
medical card or a G.P Visit medical card - you
will pay to see the doctor (fees can vary and up-wards
depending on where in the country you are), any medicines
prescribed - very expensive in Ireland and there is a fee if
you go to casualty without being referred by your GP
(regardless of whether you have a medical card or not). If
you are hospitalised in a public ward there is a fee
involved subject to a maximum level per year. In cases of
severe hardship you can write to the hospital explaining
your circumstances and you might get a reduction or you
might not. You will also have to pay for out patient
services.
The important point is that Ireland is an expensive
country to be sick in. So, please check with your
healthcare provider to clarify your own position.
|
