Eligibility for Health Services

Medical Card

Medical card holders are entitled to a range of health services free of charge. These include doctors, prescribed drugs and hospital services.

Who qualifies:

Based on a means test and/or medical need. The HSE issues guidelines each year. If your income is below these guidelines, then you are entitled to a Medical Card. If it is above the guideline figure, you do not qualify for a Medical Card unless there are exceptional medical circumstances or you would suffer undue financial hardship.

If you are aged 70 or over and living in Ireland, you are entitled to a Medical Card regardless of your income or state of health.

Medical Card guidelines are revised in January each year.

Doctor Only Medical Cards

This was introduced in 2005 for people whose income is less than the income guidelines plus 25% as shown in the table below. It covers them for GP visits but not for prescription drugs and medicines and they are not entitled to services such as HSE dental, ophthalmic and aural services.

How to apply:

Apply to your Local Health Office.

Non Medical Card Holders

Everyone is entitled to public in-patient and out-patient services regardless of their income. You are entitled to a bed in a public ward and consultant services and to out-patient services in a public hospital provided you opt for public health care. Certain charges may apply. If you avail of private treatment instead, you or your health insurance company must pay the full price of the services provided.

Prescription costs