Understanding the Indicators

Financial Indicator 2 – MEDICAL CARD

In order to meet this indicator you or your parents or guardians must have had a valid Medical Card or GP Visit Card on 31 December 2011.

Why we use a medical card or GP visit card as an indicator
Possession of a Medical Card/GP Visit Card is used as a proxy for low family income in the assessment of eligibility for HEAR 2012. The medical card and GP visit card schemes are designed to help people on low incomes pay the cost of accessing medical care. In some cases, the cards are given to people who would experience financial hardship if they had to pay the full costs of medical care themselves. The schemes are generally means-tested. If you or your family qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card, you are likely to have a low income.

  • Medical Card holders are also entitled to other benefits within the education system.
  • Further details on these benefits can be found on the Citizen's Advice Website.

What is a Medical Card?
Medical Cards allow people to access Family Doctor or GP services, community health services, dental services, prescription medicine costs, hospital care and a range of other benefits free of charge. Normally, the card holder’s dependent spouse and children are also covered for the same range of health services. Medical cards are small plastic cards (similar in size to a credit card).

Are students entitled to a medical card?
Full-time students aged 16-25 who are financially dependent on their parents are only entitled to a medical card if their parents held a medical card. Students who are financially independent of their parents, e.g., they have income from part-time work, and who satisfy the means test may be entitled to a medical card. A student who gets a Disability Allowance will generally be entitled to a medical card.

What is a GP Visit card?
A GP visit card helps those who do not qualify for a medical card because of their income but who may find the cost of visiting a GP too high.

How can I get a medical card or GP visit card?
Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards are issued by the HSE's 32 Local Health Offices around the country. These offices also assess applications to see if they qualify for a medical card or GP visit card. For Medical Card and GP Visit Card Applications, the HSE only considers income after tax and PRSI is deducted, rather than total income. HSE also make allowances for expenses on childcare, on rent and mortgage costs and on travel to work.

For further information from the HSE website on Medical Cards click here and for information on GP Visit Cards click here.

I qualify for the Long-Term Illness Scheme. Does that count as an indicator for the HEAR scheme?
The Long-term Illness Scheme is for people with certain long-term illnesses or disabilities (i.e. Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; etc). People on this scheme are supplied with a Long Term Illness book, which allows the recipient to get drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. The scheme does not depend on income and is separate from the Medical Card Scheme and the GP Visit Card Schemes.

Possession of a Long Term Illness book does not meet the Medical Card/GP Visit Card indicators for the HEAR scheme.