Information
People suffering from certain conditions, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition. These are provided under the Long Term Illness Scheme. This scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE), under Section 59 of the Health Act 1970.
The Long Term Illness Scheme does not depend on your income or other circumstances and is separate from the Medical Card scheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.
Rules
The medical conditions that qualify under the Long Term Illness Scheme are:
- Mental handicap
- Mental illness (for people under 16 only)
- Diabetes insipidus
- Diabetes mellitus
- Haemophilia
- Cerebral palsy
- Phenylketonuria
- Epilepsy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spina bifida
- Muscular dystrophies
- Hydrocephalus
- Parkinsonism
- Acute leukaemia
- Conditions arising from use of Thalidomide
If you qualify, you will get a long-term illness book. This book lists the drugs and medicines for the treatment of your condition, which will be provided to you free of charge through your community pharmacist. Other drugs and medicines not related to the specified condition must be paid for in the normal way.
If your doctor or occupational therapist prescribes a medical or surgical appliance, it will be supplied to you from your Local Health Office
Non-medical card holders, non-GP Visit Card holders and conditions not covered under Long Term Illness
If you have neither a medical card, nor a GP Visit Card nor a medical condition listed above, you can use the Drugs Payment Scheme. Under this Scheme, individuals or families pay a maximum of €120 per calendar month (from 1 January 2010) towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
How to apply
A standard application form for the Long Term Illness Scheme is not available online. You can get an application form from your family doctor (GP) or your Local Health Office.
Send the completed application form directly to your Local Health Office.
Subject Terms: people with disabilities, medical expenses, diseases and illnesses
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Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on lo-call 1890 777 121* or on +353 (0) 21 452 1600 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre. *Please note that the rates charged for the use of 1890 numbers may vary among different service providers.
