Thousands of people living in Ireland are to set to benefit from a major healthcare boost as several changes will come into effect in April for GP visit cards.
In Budget 2023, it was announced that the income limit for the HSE's GP visit card will be increased to include people on or below the median income from April 2023. It was also announced that GP cards for children aged under six years old will now also be extended to include children aged 6 and 7.
GP visit cards allow holders to visit participating family doctors for free, including during out-of-hours services and blood tests to diagnose or monitor a condition. Here's everything you need to know about who is eligible to get GP visit cards in April.
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What changes to GP cards was announced in the Budget?
In the Budget earlier this year, Cabinet agreed that from April 2023 HSE GP visit cards will be extended to children aged 6 and 7. Free GP cards were previously given to children under the age of six in Ireland, and this new change is sure to be welcomed among parents of school aged young children.
For adults, the income limit for the GP visit card will be increased to include people on a median household income of €46,000 or less from April 2023.
Who is eligible for GP visit cards?
Children aged under 7
In April, all children under six and seven years of age living in Ireland can get a GP visit card. The under 7s GP visit card covers free GP visits, assessments at ages two and five, GP home visits, out-of-hours urgent GP care and will also provide care for children with asthma.
However, it should be noted that medication costs and hospital charges are not covered in this scheme. To register your child for a GP visit card, you'll need to provide your PPS number, your child's PPS number and your GP's name.
Adults on Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance
If you get Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance at full or half-rate, you can visit your GP for free.
People aged over 70
The GP visit card is available to everyone aged over 70 without an income test. Pensioners of this age are entitled to free GP visit cards, and to register for this you'll need your PPS number and GP's name and number.
People under 70 on median income
If you are aged under 70, eligibility for the GP visit card is means tested. That is, your income is assessed by the HSE as part of the application process.
In April 2023, the income limit for the GP visit card will be increased to include people on a median household income of €46,000 or less. The rules for assessing the amount of your income if you're under 70 are the same as for the medical card means test for people under 70, but the income limits for the GP visit card are higher than those for the medical card.
The weekly income limits for a person aged under 66 are:
- Single person living with family - €304
- Single person living with family - €271
- Married or cohabiting couple (or lone parent with dependent children) - €441
- Allowance for each of first 2 children aged under 16 - €57
- Allowance for 3rd and for each subsequent child under 16 - €61.40
- Allowance for each of first 2 children aged over 16 (with no income) - €58.50
- Allowance for 3rd and for each subsequent child over 16 (with no income) - €64
- Each dependant over 16 years in full-time non-grant aided third-level - €117
How to do I apply for a GP visit card?
Applications for GP visit cards and medical cards are made through the same system. First, you will be assessed for a medical card and if you don't qualify, them you'll be assessed for a GP visit card.
Parents who wish to apply for a GP visit card for their children under the age of seven can apply online here. You'll need your child's PPS number and GP's name and number.
People aged over 70 who wish to apply for a GP visit card can apply online here with their PPS number, GP's name and number required. For Carers who wish to apply for a GP visit card, you can apply online here with your PPS number and GP's name and number needed.
If your application for a GP visit card is refused, you will receive a letter from the HSE to let you know. And the letter will also set out the reasons why your application has been refused, and if you wish to appeal the decision to have it reviewed for instance if you have a change of circumstance, or you may have left out some relevant information from the original application.
For more information and advice on HSE GP visit cards visit www.hse.ie
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