In Ireland there a range of services available to allow people of all income levels to access Health Services and Care. Families or individuals with low income or high medical costs may be entitled to a Medical Card. Medical Card Holders are able to access a range of Medical and Health Services free of charge. Anyone who is normally resident in Ireland is entitled to the European Health Insurance Card.
Below we have outlined some of the main services that allow people to access Health Services in Ireland.
Medical Card
The Medical Card is a card issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland. The Medical Card entitles the holder to avail of a number of Public Health Services free of charge. Such services include visits to GP, Community Health Services, and Certain types of Dentistry work and Prescribed Medication. The card also provides for Hospital Visits and health care associated with pregnancy. The Medical Card also provides for a number of non-direct Health Services’ benefits. Such benefits include exemption from State Exams, exemption from the Health portion of your PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) and free travel for children who live more than 3 miles away from their local School.
Anyone over the age of 16 and resident in Ireland for at least one year is entitled to apply for the Medical Card. Qualification for the Medical Card is mainly dependent on your financial circumstances. Means testing will take your income, expenditure and your family / living circumstances into consideration. People who are earning above the threshold may qualify for the Medical Card in exceptional circumstances. You can download an Application form for the Medical Card on the HSE Website.
European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card entitles Irish Residents (normally resident for at least one year) to access Public Health Services in member of States of the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Such Health Services are accessible while visiting these States on a temporary basis. Previously visitors would have to file specific forms to avail of these services.
Irish residents should apply for the European Health Insurance card if they plan to holiday in one of the mentioned states. You should also apply if you regularly pay visits to one of these states for business or otherwise. The card can still be used if you work or study temporarily in one of these States and do not take up normal residence.
The card is not needed for accessing Public Health Services in the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Proof of Identity should be enough to avail of Public Health Services.