Prescription charges for medical card holders
Introduction
Since 1 October 2010, people with medical cards pay a 50 cent charge for medicines and other items that they get on prescription from pharmacies. The prescription charge is 50 cent for each item that is dispensed to you under the medical card scheme, up to a maximum of €10 per month per person or family.
Rules
Once your pharmacy can identify all of your family members then you should not pay more than €10 per month. A family is defined as you, your spouse or partner, any children under 16 years of age and any children between 16 and 21 years of age who are in full time education.
You can set your family up as a family group on medicalcard.ie and print off a family certificate to give to your pharmacist. This will show all of the members of your family so that the pharmacy will not collect charges above the monthly limit of €10.
If you do not have access to the internet you can get assistance from your Local Health Office or call 1890 252 919 and they will take the details and send you the certificate. Your local pharmacist may also be able to help you. You will need to have the medical card number for each member of your family.
Refunds if you pay more than €10 in a month
The HSE will issue refunds automatically on a quarterly basis, based on the information received from your pharmacy. However, you can avoid refunds altogether if you and your family visit the same pharmacy and your pharmacist can identify all of your family members.
If you consider that you have not received the refund that was due to you, you can download claim form PC1 (pdf) or collect it at your Local Health Office or by phoning the HSE at 1890 252 919 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
If you need help making a claim you can contact the HSE at 1890 252 919.
Medical card holders who do not pay the prescription charge
Certain people and certain products are not liable for the prescription charge:
- Children in the care of the HSE who have their own medical card. This includes children in care, foster care, foster care with relatives and other care placements. Carers responsible for children in care pay the prescription charges to the pharmacy and claim a full refund from the HSE.
- There is no charge for Methadone supplied under the Methadone Treatment Protocol. These patients will pay prescription charges for any other items received under the Medical Card Scheme.
- Items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) or private prescriptions.
- People covered by the Health (Amendment) Act 1996.
- The High Tech Scheme: High Tech products and medicines, such as anti-rejection drugs for transplant patients or medicines used in conjunction with chemotherapy. As the supply of High Tech Medicines operates on the basis of a patient care fee, a prescription charge does not apply.
Where to apply
Refund claims should be sent to:
Health Service Executive
Prescription Charge Refund Claims
PO Box 11950
Finglas
Dublin 11
Related Documents
- Prescribed drugs and medicines
Irish residents are entitled to either free or subsidised approved prescribed drugs and medicines and certain medical and surgical aids and appliances. - GP and Pharmacy Services - Introduction
Family doctors (GPs) and pharmacies provide a range of services to citizens. Introduction and overview of services. - Medical cards
The medical card scheme entitles certain people to free public health services. This document tells you the income guidelines and how to apply.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.