Medical card
Encyclopedia
A medical card is a plastic card, given to persons in the Republic of Ireland
, who earn under a certain income limit or have ongoing medical requirements that would cause the cost of their care to be unduly onerous. The card entitles the holder to free visits to GP
s, free or drastically reduced-price hospital and dental treatment, and prescribed
medication for a nominal charge of €
0.50 per item. Holders are also exempt from paying the income levy and health levy, and are entitled to a range of other benefits.
Until 2008, persons aged over 70 were automatically entitled to free medical cards. The budget of October 2008 abrogated this entitlement, although after several protests, the benefit was reinstated to all who earn under €700 per week, more than three times the limit for younger people.
A "GP visit card" is available to people earning up to 50% above the income limit. As the name suggests, it grants free visits to GPs, but does not include any of the other benefits.
The medical card system is administered by the Health Service Executive
.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, who earn under a certain income limit or have ongoing medical requirements that would cause the cost of their care to be unduly onerous. The card entitles the holder to free visits to GP
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
s, free or drastically reduced-price hospital and dental treatment, and prescribed
Prescription
Prescription may refer to:Health care*Prescription drug, a drug available only by a medical prescription*Medical prescription, a plan of care written by a physician or other health care professional...
medication for a nominal charge of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
0.50 per item. Holders are also exempt from paying the income levy and health levy, and are entitled to a range of other benefits.
Until 2008, persons aged over 70 were automatically entitled to free medical cards. The budget of October 2008 abrogated this entitlement, although after several protests, the benefit was reinstated to all who earn under €700 per week, more than three times the limit for younger people.
A "GP visit card" is available to people earning up to 50% above the income limit. As the name suggests, it grants free visits to GPs, but does not include any of the other benefits.
The medical card system is administered by the Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of healthcare providing health and personal social services for everyone living in Ireland, with public funds. The Executive was established by the Health Act, 2004 and came into official operation on January 1, 2005...
.