free gp visit card under 6

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GP visit cards

What is a gp visit card, who can get a gp visit card, income limits for people aged under 70, how to apply for a gp visit card, more information on gp visit cards.

A GP visit card is a card that gives you free visits to a participating family doctor (GP). If you are not eligible for a medical card , you may be eligible for a GP visit card.

You can apply for a GP visit card online.

What does a GP visit card cover?

Your GP visit card covers the cost of visits to your GP and visits to GP out-of-hours services . You can read more about what services are available with the medical card and GP visit card.

What is not covered by the GP visit card?

The GP visit card does not cover hospital charges .

Prescribed drugs are not free but may be covered by the Drugs Payment Scheme .

You must be ordinarily resident in Ireland to apply for a GP visit card. This means that you are living in Ireland and intend to live here for at least one year.

You will qualify for a GP visit card with no means test if you are :

Aged under 8 (see GP visit cards for children )

Aged over 70

Getting Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance , at full or half-rate

If you are aged under 70, your income is assessed by the HSE to see whether you qualify for a GP visit card. See below for information about the HSE basic rates of income.

Your income is assessed by the HSE using the means test for people aged under 70 . However, the basic rates of income for the GP visit card are higher than the limits for the medical card.

Your weekly net income is compared to the HSE's weekly basic rate of income . This is your income after tax, PRSI and universal social charge (USC) have been deducted. There are extra allowances for children.

If your income is above the weekly basic rate you may still qualify for a GP visit card after you include allowable expenses such as childcare and rent (see ‘Allowable expenses’ below).

The weekly basic rates of income increased on 11 September 2023 and again on 13 November 2023. If you were not eligible in the past, you may be eligible now.

Allowable expenses

Some living expenses are allowable. This means they increase your weekly basic rate of income.

Allowable expenses include:

Childcare costs
Rent (not including any amounts paid by Housing Assistance Payment or Rent Supplement )
Reasonable mortgage payments on your family home and other land or property.
Mortgage protection insurance and associated life assurance.
Home insurance.
Maintenance payments you make.
Nursing home, private nursing or home care costs for you or your spouse.
The cost of public transport.
Driving expenses if a car is required, at a rate of 30 cent per mile/18 cent per km. If a couple needs two cars to travel to work, a double allowance applies. The cost of parking can be taken into account.
Reasonable contributions towards carpooling costs.

See examples of how you or your family’s income is calculated when you apply for a GP visit card.

Read the HSE National Assessment Guidelines for medical card and GP visit card (pdf) . You can also find a list of the documents you need to support your application.

Aged over 70 with dependants

If you are aged over 70, you are eligible for a GP visit card regardless of your income.

If you are over 70 and you have dependants who are aged under 70, for example, a spouse or partner your dependants may qualify for a GP visit card if your combined gross income is over €1050, but not greater than €1,400 a week.

If either of you are aged over 70, you will both qualify for a full medical card if your combined gross income is €1050 or less per week.

Finances over the qualifying financial threshold

When you apply for a GP visit card, the HSE will first assess your application for a medical card . If you don't qualify for a medical card, you will then be assessed for a GP visit card.

If your finances are over the qualifying financial threshold for a medical card or GP visit card, you may still qualify for a discretionary medical card if your medical expenses would cause you financial hardship without one.

If you want to apply for a discretionary medical card , you should also include information about your family’s medical expenses in your application.

Aged under 70

If you are under 70, you use the same application process to apply for a GP visit card as for a medical card . So, as part of the application process for the GP visit card, your entitlement to a medical card is automatically assessed.

You can apply for a medical card or GP visit card online on medicalcard.ie

You can also download an application form for the GP visit card and medical card (pdf) and email it to [email protected] or post it to:

National Medical Card Unit,

PO Box 11745,

If you are aged 70 or over, you can register for your GP visit card online .

You can also download the registration form for people aged 70 and over (pdf) and email it to [email protected] or post it to:

GP Visit Card Over 70s,

PO Box 12629,

You can also call 0818 22 44 78 to ask for a paper registration form.

Application for a spouse or partner

If you are over 70, with a dependant spouse or partner who is under 70, and you think your finances may be under the qualifying financial threshold, you can apply for GP visit cards for both of you. To do this, you use the standard medical card/GP visit card application form (pdf) and include details of your income and allowable expenses. (For the HSE weekly basic income rates, see ‘Dependants of people aged over 70’ above).

Applying if you are a carer

If you get Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance, at full or half-rate, you are eligible for a GP visit card. You can register for the GP visit card for carers by email or post .

Appealing your GP visit card application

If your application for a GP visit card is refused, you will receive a letter from the HSE to let you know. The letter will also set out the reasons why your application has been refused.

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may have it reviewed. Your circumstances may have changed, or you may have left out some relevant information from the original application.

If you are not satisfied with the review, you can make an appeal to the Appeals Office of your HSE Area . You can also find the contact details for the Appeals Office in the letter of refusal from the HSE.

The Appeals Office will conduct a reassessment of your application. This will be conducted by HSE staff who were not involved in deciding on your original application.

Your entitlement to a GP visit card is reviewed periodically by the HSE. This is because your circumstances may change. If you don’t return your review form, your GP visit card may not be re-issued.

If you return your review form by the given date but the review process continues past the expiry date of your card, the HSE may extend your card’s validity so that you can continue to use it while the review is taking place. The extension is on a month-by-month basis, so it is advisable to contact the HSE Client Registration Unit (contact details below) to confirm that your card has been extended and continues to be valid.

Check the status of your application for a GP visit card on the HSE website . You will need the reference number from your application.

You can check if your GP visit card is still valid on the HSE website.

Contact Lo-call 0818 22 44 78 or your Local Health Office for more information on GP visit cards. You can also contact the Client Registration Unit.

Client Registration Unit

4th Floor HSE PCRS Finglas Dublin 11

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All you need to know about free GP care for under 6’s

Medical Card Holders: If your child or children have a medical card or GP Visit Card they will automatically be registered for this scheme. Non-Medical Card Holders: If your child or children do not have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card you must register them for the scheme.

Q. What Information do I need to register ?

Your child or children’s PPs number, your PPS number and contact details. Select your GP of choice. http://www.hse.ie/under6contract

Q. Where can I get details of my child’s PPS number ?

When you register your child’s birth, the Department of Social Protection writes to you with their PPS number. If your do not have a PPS number for your child please contact the Client Identity Services Department of Social Protection, on 1890 927999 or email [email protected]

Q. Why is a parent’s or guardian’s PPS number needed ?

The HSE needs your PPS number to link children under six years with all family members who are in receipt of services under the community health schemes.

Q. Do I get a GP Visit Card for my child or children ?

Yes, once the registration of your child or children is complete, a GP Visit card for children under six will be posted to the address provided for each eligible child.

Q. What if I haven’t received my GP visit card by July 1 ?

You can still attend your GP if he or she has accepted your registration for the scheme.

Q. My child’s 6 th birthday is in July 2015, should I still register my child ?

Yes. All children who have not reached their 6 th birthday and who live in Ireland or who intend to live in Ireland for a year, are eligible for service under the GP Visit Card for children under-six scheme, If your child’s 6 th birthday occurs in July 2015, you should register your child and he/she will be eligible for GP Visit Card for children under six until the end of July 2015

Q. What happens if my children attend separate GPs ?

If a child or children attend separate GPs, you must complete a separate registration for each child and choose the GP of choice on each registration

Q. Why is my GP of choice not listed ?

Your GP of choice may not be listed if they have not signed the Agreement to Provide Service to children under six years, or if they are not accepting any further registrations. You can pick another GP. Your GP’s application to join the under-sixes scheme may be being processed. Contracts are updated on a daily basis as is the list of available GPs under the scheme.

Q. Can I change details submitted during the online registration process ?

If you have completed a registration for your child or children using the online registration facility, you may log in to your previously registered account, to update or add additional information. Alternatively, you can complete another registration form to update or add additional information to your record.

Q. I have registered my child online, so what happens next ?

Once you complete the registration process, details are sent to your GP of choice who must accept your child or children to his or her patient panel. Once the GP of your choice has confirmed acceptance of the registration of your child or children a GP Visit Card will be issued to all eligible children within a few days. If your GP is not accepting electronic registrations, you will be informed by email. Just print the attachment to the email and bring it to your GP for them to complete the GP Acceptance section and return it to GP Visit Card For Children Under Six, PO Box 12629, Dublin 11.

Q. I have selected a GP of choice, is my child or children now covered under this scheme ?

Confirmation of acceptance of your child or children is needed from your GP of choice. Your child or children’s eligibility will not begin until you receive confirmation that your GP of choice has confirmed that they have accepted your child or children.

Q. What happens when my child or children turn six years old ?

You will be notified by the National Medical Card Unit approximately three months before your child or children’s eligibility is due to expire. A ‘valid to’ date is displayed on your child’s GP Visit Card.

Q. I have submitted a Medical Card/GP Visit Card application: do I need to include my child or children under six on the application ?

When applying for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card you should include the details for all your children, including any under six years. This will enable the National Medical Card Unit to calculate the correct financial threshold appropriate to your family. Each member of your family will receive a Medical Card or GP Visit Card once the eligibility criteria are met. Should your Medical Card application be unsuccessful, your child or children who are under the age of six years will automatically get eligibility to a GP Visit Card.

Q. What services are provided under the GP Visit Card for children under six ?

With the GP Visit Card for under sixes your child will get free GP visits, assessments at age two and five and care for children with asthma.

Q. Will I have to pay for medicines prescribed by me GP for my children under six years ?

The card for children under six does not cover the cost of medications prescribed by a GP or hospital charges. If your child has eligibility under the Long-Term illness Scheme, they will receive free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances directly relating to the treatment of the illness. If your don’s have a Medical Card you should apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme card. Under the DPS, an individual or family pays €144 maximum a month for their medicines and certain appliances.

Q. Will home visits by my GP be covered ?

Yes, home visits are covered. It will be a matter for the GP to exercise his/her judgement in each individual case in determining whether a home visit is warranted.

Q. Will out of hours urgent GP care be provided ?

Social welfare Ireland: How to apply for GP visit card as over 200,000 people eligible for free care

Applications are now open for the scheme, which will provide free GP care to an estimated 430,000 people in Ireland

13:05, 11 SEP 2023

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Around 215,000 people are newly eligible for free GP care from today.

It marks the first of two expansions of the HSE's GP Visit Card scheme. Applications are now open for the scheme, which will provide free GP care to an estimated 430,000 people in Ireland.

The programme is operating on a means-tested basis, and will be expanded in November. It means that people who fill in the online application form and get their GP visit card can save €70 per GP visit and out-of-hours urgent GP care.

Over the summer, children aged six to seven were eligible to get free GP visit cards with 48,000 children receiving cards according to the HSE. All those who earn under €46,000 will be able to benefit from the service, and the weekly income threshold is also set to increase in November.

Read more: Covid-19 Ireland: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's update on potential return of mask mandate

Here's everything you need to know about who is eligible to receive a free GP Visit Card, how to apply, thresholds of income, and more.

Who can apply for a GP Visit Card?

According to the HSE all children aged under eight, and pensioners aged 70 and over can automatically get the free GP Visit Card.

Carers can also apply for a GP Visit Card by post or online. From today, people aged up to 69 and parents of children aged 8 and up can also apply for a means tested GP Visit Card on the HSE website.

The means test assessment considers a persons or family’s circumstances, income and expenses. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said today that the expansion is the biggest in the state's history and they hope to have 500,000 people covered by GP Visit Cards.

He said: "This expansion of the GP Visit Card scheme is a significant milestone and will bring free GP care to approximately 215,000 people.

"Many people aged between 8 and 69 who currently see their GP care on a private basis may now be eligible for a means tested GP visit card. A simplified online application process is available from today on the HSE website.

"This expansion of the GP Visit Card scheme will help people to manage the cost of living challenges we face, and I encourage those who may be eligible to apply now."

How does mean testing work and what are the thresholds?

The means test assessment considers a person or family’s circumstances, income and expenses. People earn under €46,000 will be able to avail of the free GP Visit Card service.

From today, 11 September 2023, the amount someone can earn and still be eligible for a means tested GP visit card has been increased:

the Weekly Base Eligibility Threshold for a single person living alone has increased from €304 to €361
the Weekly Base Eligibility Threshold for a single person living with family has increased from €271 to €322
the Weekly Base Eligibility Threshold for a couple with or without dependent(s) has increased from €441 to €524. For couple(s) with dependents a weekly allowance per dependent is added to the threshold
similarly, the Weekly Base Eligibility Threshold for a one parent family has increased from €441 to €524 and a weekly allowance per dependent is added to the threshold

These changes apply to adults and children aged 8 to 69. As well as assessing various kinds of income, a means test assessment considers personal situation, including dependent children and living situation, plus expenses such as rent or mortgage and childcare costs.

How to apply

The HSE have developed a simplified online application process for means tested GP visit cards which is now available on www.hse.ie/GPVisitCards.

Applications for GP Visit Cards for children aged 6 and 7 will be processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) PCRS in the same way as the current under 6 applications, via their online portal .

The HSE will also open a dedicated portal for those applying for GP Visit Cards on the basis of income. This system will allow the processing of the large volume of applications expected and ensure applicants receive their cards in as timely a fashion as possible.

Applicants will make a declaration of their income and outgoings. The same expenses (housing costs, transportation, etc.) as are currently set against income in Medical or GP Visit Card applications will continue to apply. Where necessary, the HSE may seek additional information and copies of documents to support applications.

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Most Recent

Free GP visits for all children aged 6 and 7

All children aged under 8 are now eligible for free GP care. It was previously for under 6s.

It doesn’t matter how much you earn or how much money is coming into your household.

The only requirement is that your child is aged under 8 and living in Ireland.

If your child is aged under 6 and already has an Under 6s GP Visit Card, it will automatically be extended. You do not need to reapply. They will have free GP care up to their 8th birthday

If your child has a medical card you do not need to apply. Your child can already visit their GP free of charge.

What the Under 8s GP Visit Card covers

The Under 8s GP Visit Card covers your child for –

free visits to their doctor
free out of hours urgent care
free GP home visits
free assessments at age 2 and 5
care for children with asthma

Medication costs are not covered.

Check if your GP is taking part

Before applying, you must first check if your GP is taking part in the scheme.

The list of GPs providing under 8s GP Visit Card services is here

If your GP is not taking part in the scheme or can’t take any more patients, you will need to pick another GP from the list.

How to apply

To make an application you will need –

Your PPS number
Child’s PPS number

You can make an online application here or

You can apply by post. Application forms can be downloaded here or phone 0818 22 44 78 to order an application form in the post.

After receiving your application, the HSE will email your child’s details to your GP.

If your GP is not accepting registrations electronically, you will receive your child’s registration details. Bring it to your GP to sign and you post it back to the HSE.

Once this process is complete, your GP will get the details and you will get your child’s card within a few days.

Further Information

If you need help with your application you can contact the GP Visit Card service.

National Medical Card Unit – GP visit cards

PO Box 11745

Phone: 0818 22 44 78 or LoCall 01 864 7100

Email: [email protected]

Apply now to bring down your family’s healthcare costs.

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General GP visit card

You can apply for a GP visit card if you:

are age 8 to 69
live in the Republic of Ireland or plan to live here for at least a year

GP visit cards for people age 8 to 69 are means tested.

This means we look at your income, personal circumstances and expenses to see if you qualify.

Not just about your salary

It's possible that you may qualify for a GP visit card even if the amount of money you earn is high.

If your expenses are also high, you could still qualify.

Examples of people who qualify

How to apply for a GP visit card

The only way to apply for this GP visit card is online.

You will need to provide your:

date of birth
income and expense details
marital status
details on any children dependent on you

You automatically qualify for a GP visit card if you live in Ireland and are:

over 70 years old
under 8 years old
getting Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance

It does not matter what your income is - you do not need to apply.

But you do need to register. There is a separate registration process if you are in these groups.

How we work out if you qualify

To work out if you qualify for a GP visit card we look at your:

personal circumstances, such as if you are married, your living situation and if you have any children dependent on you
certain expenses
if your income after expenses is below a certain financial threshold for your family size

If you get a Government allowance or grant towards any of your allowable expenses, you cannot count the overall amount as an expense. You can only count your contribution.

For example, you may have childcare costs of €800 per month. You claim €240 through the National Childcare Scheme. This means the amount you pay is €560. This is the amount you can claim as an expense in your application.

How we calculate your financial threshold

To get a GP visit card your net weekly income, after your expenses, must be below a qualifying financial threshold.

This qualifying financial threshold is unique to you.

We calculate it by adding the following 3 amounts:

A basic rate - an amount of money depending on your circumstances.
An amount for each dependant.
Your allowable expenses.

The total is known as your weekly qualifying financial threshold.

You will qualify for a GP visit card if your net weekly income is less than this amount. Net income is your weekly income after tax, PRSI and USC.

Qualifying financial threshold

Basic rate amount + amount for dependants + allowable expenses = amount you can earn a week and qualify for a card

The basic rate is a fixed amount. It is determined by your marital status, living situation and if you have any children.

The basic rates are:

Single person living alone age 69 and under: €418
Single person living with family: €373
Married or co-habiting couple with or without children dependent on them: €607
Single parent: €607

These basic rates do not apply to the GP visit card for over 70s, carers or under 8s.

Additional rates for dependants are:

First two children under 16 financially dependent on applicant: €57
Third and subsequent children under 16 financially dependent on applicant: €61.50
First two children over 16 financially dependent on applicant: €58.50
Third and subsequent children over 16 financially dependent on applicant: €64
A dependent child over 16 who is in full time 3rd level education, not grant aided: €117

Examples of qualifying financial thresholds

Barry and Mary have 2 children under the age of 16. Their combined monthly income after tax is €5,450.

Their expenses include:

mortgage payment of €1,200 a month
mortgage protection of €52 per month
childcare costs of €1472 per month

Basic rate allowance

This is the fixed amount for married couple and single parent families age 69 and under with 2 dependant children under 16.

Dependants allowance

This is based on a rate of €57 for each dependant child under 16.

Weekly mortgage payment

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly mortgage payment (€1,200) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Weekly mortgage protection cost

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly payment (€52) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Weekly travel to work costs

€14.40 for Mary, €28 for Patrick

Calculated based on petrol usage for Mary to go to work and weekly Leap Card fare for Patrick to get to work.

Weekly childcare costs

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly payment (€1472) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

This gave a weekly childcare cost of €339.69.

But they also receive €126 a week towards their childcare costs through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). This amount is deducted to give them a weekly expense of €213.69

This total is their qualifying financial threshold. It was calculated by adding up their basic rate, allowances for dependants and their various allowable weekly expenses.

Qualifying financial threshold means that if the couple has combined weekly net income of €1,266.01 or less, the family will qualify for a GP visit card.

Net income is your weekly income (earnings) once tax, PRSI and USC have been deducted.

Barry, Mary and their children qualify for a GP visit card. Their net weekly income is €1,257.69.

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly income (€5,450) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Their net income (€1,257.69) is less than their qualifying financial threshold (€1,266.01). This means that they qualify.

Yan is a single parent living in rented accommodation with her 11-year-old child. She pays €800 per month in rent. Her monthly income after taxes is €3,550.

This is a fixed amount for a single parent.

Weekly rent payment

This was calculated by multiplying her monthly rent (€800) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Travel to work allowance

Calculated on distance travelled to work at 18c per kilometre.

This total is Yan's qualifying financial threshold. It was calculated by adding up her basic rate, allowances for dependants and her various allowable weekly expenses.

This means if she has a weekly net income of less than €875.62, she will qualify for a GP visit card.

Yan qualifies for a GP visit card. Her net weekly income is €819.23.

This was calculated by multiplying their monthly income (€3,550) by 12 (to get yearly figure) and dividing by 52 (to get weekly).

Her net income (€819.23) is less than her qualifying financial threshold (€875.62). This means that she qualifies.

Income, savings and assets

The types of income you should include in your application are:

social welfare payments
wages (take-home pay, after tax, PRSI and USC)
income from savings and investments
maintenance payments
rental income from family home (for example a sub-let room)
property other than the family home

You should also include income from royalties or payments under a settlement, covenant or from an estate.

If your only household income is a social welfare payment, you qualify for a medical card and should apply for that instead.

Savings, investments and property

We look at your savings, investments and property, other than your family home. If they are over a certain amount, we include them as part of your weekly income.

Single person

If you are single, we do not assess the first €36,000 of your savings, investments or property.

For the next:

€36,001 to €46,000 - we add €1 to your weekly income for every €1,000
€46,001 to €56,000 - we add €2 to your weekly income for every €1,000
more than €56,000 - we add €4 to your weekly income for every €1,000

If you have savings of €50,000, your weekly income from them would be €18.

We get this by adding:

€0 for your first €36,000
€10 for your next €10,000 in savings - we add €1 for every €1,000 between €36,001 to €46,000
€8 for your next €4,000 in savings - we add €2 for every €1,000 between €46,001 to €56,000

If you are a couple, we do not assess the first €72,000 of your savings, investments or property.

€72,001 to €82,000 - we add €1 to your weekly income for every €1,000
€82,001 to €92,000 - we add €2 to your weekly income for every €1,000
more than €92,000 - we add €4 to your weekly income for every €1,000

If you have savings of €150,000, we do not assess your first €72,000 of savings.

Your weekly income from them would be €262.

€0 for your first €72,000
€10 for your next €10,000 – we add €1 for every €1000 between €72,001 to €82,000
€20 for your next €10,000 – we add €2 for every €1000 between €82,001 to €92,000
€232 for your next €58,000 – we add €4 for every €1000 over €92,001

Allowable expenses

All allowable expenses help to increase the amount that you can earn and still qualify for a card.

The types of allowable expenses you should include in your application are:

rent payments
mortgage payments
childcare costs
travel to work costs
net cost of private nursing home care
mortgage protection payment
life assurance for mortgage protection

No documents to include

You do not need to provide any documents with your application. But we may contact you at a later date and ask you for proof of your income and expenses.

Page last reviewed: 10 November 2023 Next review due: 10 September 2026

Information on GP medical card for under 6’s

With the GP Visit Card Under 6s your child will get free GP visits, assessments at age 2 and 5 and care for children with asthma from July 1st 2015.

How can I get this new service? Medical Card Holders – If your child or children have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card they will automatically be registered for this new scheme. Non-Medical Card Holders – If your child or children does not have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card you must register them for this new scheme.

This list will be updated daily

What information do I need to register? – Your Child or Children’s PPS number – Your PPS number and contact details – Select your GP of choice

Where can I get details of my child’s Personal Public Service (PPS) Number? When you register your child’s birth the Department of Social Protection writes to you with their PPS Number. If you do not have a PPS number for your child please contact the Client Identity Services, Department of Social Protection, Lo Call 1890 927 999 or email [email protected]

Why is a Parent’s or Guardian’s PPS Number needed? We need your PPS number to link children under 6 years with all family members who are in receipt of services under the Community Health Schemes.

Do I get a GP Visit Card for my child or children? Yes, once the registration of your child or children is complete a GP Visit Card for children under 6, will be posted, to the address provided, for each eligible child.

My child’s 6th birthday is in July 2015, should I still register my child? Yes. All children who have not reached their 6th birthday and who live in Ireland or who intend to live in Ireland for a year, are eligible for service under the GP Visit Card for children under 6 Scheme. If your child’s 6th birthday occurs in July 2015, you should register your child and he/she will be eligible for GP Visit Card for children under 6 until the end of July 2015

What happens if my children attend separate GPs? If a child or children attend separate GPs, you must complete a separate registration for each child and choose the GP of choice on each registration

Why is my GP of choice not listed? Your GP of choice may not be listed if they have not signed the Agreement to Provide Service to children under 6 years, or if they are not accepting any further registrations. You can pick another GP. Your GP’s application to join the Under 6s scheme, may be being processed. Contracts are updated on a daily basis as is the list of available GPs under the scheme.

Can I change details submitted during the online registration process? If you have completed a registration for your child or children using the online registration facility, you may login to your previously registered account, to update or add additional information. Alternatively, you can complete another registration form to update or add additional information to your record.

I have registered my child online – what happens next? Once you complete the registration process, details are sent to your GP of choice who must accept your child or children to his or her patient panel. Once the GP of choice has confirmed acceptance of the registration of your child or children, a GP Visit Card will be issued to all eligible children within a few days. If your GP is not accepting electronic registrations, you will be informed by email. Just print the attachment to the email and bring it to your GP for them to complete the GP Acceptance section.

Please return the completed form to: GP Visit Card for children under 6 PO Box 12629 Dublin 11

I have selected a GP of choice, is my child now covered under this scheme? Confirmation of acceptance of your child or children is needed from your GP of choice. Your child or children’s eligibility will not commence until you receive confirmation that your GP of choice has confirmed that they have accepted your child or children onto their panel.

What happens when my child turn 6 years? You will be notified by the National Medical Card Unit approximately three months before your child or children’s eligibility is due to expire. A ‘Valid To’ date is displayed on your child’s GP Visit Card.

I have submitted a Medical Card/GP Visit Card application; do I need to include my child under 6 on the application? When applying for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card you should include the details for all your children, including any under 6 years. This will enable the National Medical Card Unit to calculate the correct financial threshold appropriate to your family. Each member of your family will receive a Medical Card or GP Visit Card once the eligibility criteria are met. Should your Medical Card application be unsuccessful, your child or children who are under the age of 6 years will automatically get eligibility to a GP Visit Card.

What services are provided under the GP Visit Card for children under 6? With the GP Visit Card Under 6s your child will get free GP visits, assessments at age 2 and 5 and care for children with asthma.

What are the assessments at 2 and 5 years? The assessments at age 2 and 5 are age based preventive checks focused on health and wellbeing and prevention of disease. These assessments will involve the recording of age, gender, weight and height, and plotting on a centile chart and taking appropriate follow-up action, including where appropriate, provision of health promotion advice, brief intervention and support, or referral to specialist services. During the assessments the Medical Practitioner will provide advice on smoking cessation to parents or guardians where necessary.

What is an Asthma check? Children suffering with asthma deserve to have their asthma well managed so they can fully participate in physical activities and live a normal life. Asthma checks have been shown to improve control of asthma in children. Each asthma check details the severity of your child or children’s asthma and involves a review of medications including ensuring that your child is using inhalers correctly. Your GP will advise you on how to improve your child’s asthma, including advice on smoke free environment, flu vaccination to prevent influenza and education on what to do if your child’s condition is getting worse. A written plan, tailored to your child, will be given to you to help you manage your child’s asthma. Asthma checks have been shown to improve control of asthma in children.

How often does my child get an asthma check? Where there is a diagnosis of asthma on a child aged over 2 years, an initial asthma check will be carried out by your GP or Practice Nurse. A further check will be carried out within 3 months of the initial check and every year thereafter until your child or children are 6 years old.

Will I have to pay for medicines prescribed by my GP for my children under 6 years? The GP Visit Card for children under 6 does not cover the cost of medications prescribed by a GP or hospital charges. If your child has eligibility under the Long Term Illness Scheme , they will receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their long term illness, free of charge. If you don’t have a Medical Card you should apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card . Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, an individual or family will pay a maximum of €144 each month for their approved drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by them or their family, in that month. The monthly financial threshold is determined by the Minister for Health.

Will Home Visits by my GP be covered? Yes, home visits are covered. It will be a matter for the GP to exercise his/her judgement in each individual case in determining whether a home visit is warranted.

Will Out of Hours Urgent GP care will be provided? Yes, out of hours, urgent GP care service will be covered.

If you don’t want to apply online use the application form GP Visit Card Under 6 Application Form.pdf (size 1.4 MB) GP Visit Card Under 6 Application Form Irish.pdf (size 1.4 MB)

and return to GP Visit Card – Under 6s PO Box 12629 Dublin 11

If you have any queries local 1890 252 919

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Eligibility for GP visit cards expanded for people aged up to 69 and children aged 8 and over

THE MINISTER FOR Health Stephen Donnelly has announced an expansion of GP Visit Card eligibility.

From next month, people aged up to 69 and parents of children aged 8 and up will be able to apply for a means-tested GP Visit Card online.

The means test assessment will consider a person’s or family’s circumstances, income and expenses in order to determine whether they are eligible for a card.

The online application system will open on a staggered basis in order to cope with demand. The first round of applications will open on 11 September and the second will open on 13 November.

People can apply on the HSE website .

Announcing the expansion in Finglas today, Donnelly said: “For the first time in the history of our State, over half the population will have access to free GP care.

“It’s been targeted very carefully based on median income, and then universality for children. There are a lot of families out there who up until now have not qualified for a medical card, they haven’t qualified for the GP card, and they really can’t afford the fees,” he said.

He said people feel that they “have not had the choice to go to the GP” due to the cost involved, adding that “that is not something we want to see”.

“We want to see everyone able to access their doctor or their local nurse in a GP practice when they need it or when their child needs it, and that really is the group of people that this is focused on.”

Registration for free GP care for children aged six and seven opened earlier this month. Children under 6 years of age have been eligible for GP Visit Cards since 2015.

Donnelly also said that he will not be pushing for further expansion of free GP care in the upcoming Budget.

He said he believes the Government has “pushed that as far as it can be pushed” without creating problems with accessing services for patients.

The free care scheme has been controversial with GP groups. Earlier this year, the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) warned that if more people become medical card holders, they will struggle to get an appointment .

Speaking to reporters, the Minister said the Government had committed to an expansion of the service for children under 12, but said that it did not have a commitment up to the median income.

“We’re doing some of the journey up to the under 12s, that is still government policy, so six and sevens obviously in the last few weeks, and then an additional 430,000 up to the median income,” he said.

“The GPS raised very legitimate concerns in terms of making sure that patients could get access, and the capacity of general practice to absorb this extra demand, which inevitably will follow.

“So I believe that we have pushed that as far as it can be pushed without creating other problems for all of the other patients in terms of access… I’m not anticipating nor will I be asking government for a further expansion in this coming Budget.”

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