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Press release

Minister for Health encourages people to apply for GP Visit Cards as additional 215,000 people become eligible

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today announced that an additional 215,000 people are now eligible for free GP Visit Cards.

This is the third expansion of the scheme this year which has made free GP care available to an estimated additional 500,000 people in Ireland.

It follows the roll-out of free GP Visit Cards to 78,000 children aged 6 and 7 in August, and changes to the income threshold which made an additional 215,000 people eligible in September.

Minister Donnelly said:

"I am delighted that the three expansions of the GP Visit Card scheme are now complete and that the income threshold for cards has increased by over one third. This expansion is a significant step towards removing cost as barrier to healthcare and is particularly significant in the current cost of living crisis.

"You may think you do not qualify but the application process factors in household expenses such as mortgage or rent and childcare, along with income. With the increases in income threshold, now close to half of households in Ireland could be eligible for free GP care.

"The HSE have put in place a simplified online application process which is easier and faster to complete. I encourage everyone to go online, find out more and apply at www.hse.ie/GPVisitCards."

The expansion of the scheme has been facilitated by an agreement between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Irish Medical Organisation which put in place a series of financial supports for GPs.

Minister Donnelly said:

"As we implement the final phase of this expansion, I’m proud to say that close to 850,000 individuals are now eligible for free GP care, including all children up to their 8th birthday and all those over 70. This is in addition to Medical Card holders who also have access to free GP care.

"We’re moving closer to universal healthcare, and this progress is underpinned by constructive collaboration with stakeholders in order that services can meet demand."

GP visit cards for people aged between 8 and 69 are means-tested. The expansion of the scheme has increased the qualifying financial threshold for the following groups:

  • the weekly income threshold for a single person living alone increased from €304 to €418
  • the weekly income threshold for a single person living with family increased from €271 to €373
  • the weekly income threshold for a couple without dependents increased from €441 to €607
  • the weekly income threshold for a couple with dependent(s) also increased from €441 to €607, plus an allowance for dependents
  • the weekly income threshold for a one parent family, increased from €441 to €607, plus an allowance for dependents

Notes

Free GP visit cards were extended to children aged 6 and 7 in August.

An additional 215,000 people became eligible for free GP visit cards when the income threshold was expanded in September.

The means test considers personal and living circumstances, income and expenses. During the application total income is assessed such as wages, pension, social welfare payments, property (excluding the family home), investments, savings, etc. Personal situation is considered, who you are living with, if you have a partner and if you have dependents including children. Certain costs are factored in including outgoings such as rent or mortgage, childcare, travel to work costs, mortgage protection and house insurance, etc. A financial threshold, including allowances for dependants if they apply, is compared to your income after costs. If your income, after costs are deducted, is lower than the threshold you or your family would be eligible for a GP visit card.

Examples:

  • Clare is a nurse earning €32k per year and Dave her partner is earning €30k per year in his job at a supermarket. They bought a house in Galway a few years ago and their mortgage is now €2,100 per month. They have 2 kids, Aoife who is 9 years old and in school and Tom who is 3 years old and goes to crèche. They would be eligible for a family GP visit card
  • Amy is a single mum living in Cork who works full-time at a restaurant earning €40k per year. She has one child, Noah, who is 2 years old and attends crèche at a cost of €736 per month. They would be eligible for a family GP visit card
  • Sean is a construction foreman making €59k per year and Niamh his wife is a teacher earning €45k per year. They are renting in west Dublin paying €2,750 per month. They have twins Cian and Luke aged 2, who go to crèche at a cost of €700 per week. They would be eligible for a family GP visit card
  • Cian is a delivery driver working in Dublin earning €36k per year. He is currently renting, sharing with a friend, his portion of the rent is €1,250 per month. Cian would be eligible for a GP visit card
  • Michael is an accountant earning €85k per year, Sarah his wife is a stay-at-home parent looking after their 3 kids. The eldest Tom is in college and still living at home, Jack the middle child is 17 and in secondary school and Sophia the youngest aged 10 is in school. Their mortgage on the family home in Meath is €3,500 per month. They would be eligible for a family GP visit card

How you can apply for a means tested GP visit card

A dedicated online application process for means tested GP visit cards is available on the HSE website. Applications will be assessed and processed by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service.

The change in the GP Visit Card scheme thresholds

From today, 13 November 2023, the amount of income as person has 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 is now €418; it increased from €304 to €361 in September and now to €418
  • the Weekly Base Eligibility Threshold for a single person living with family is now €373; it increased from €271 to €322 in September and now to €373
  • the Weekly Base Eligibility Threshold for a couple with or without dependent(s) is now €607; it increased from €441 to €524 in September and now to €607. 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 is now €607; it increased from €441 to €524 in September and now to €607. A weekly allowance per dependent is added to the threshold

During a means test assessment an allowance is added for dependents:

  • €57 for first and second child aged under 16
  • €61.50 for third and more children aged under 16
  • €58.50 for first and second child aged 16 or over who are financially dependent
  • €64. for third and more children aged 16 or over who are financially dependent
  • €117 for all children aged 16 or over who are financially dependent, in third level education and not grant aided

The allowable expenses considered for the person (and their partner and / or family, if relevant), includes:

  • rent or mortgage
  • mortgage protection costs
  • house insurance costs
  • childcare costs
  • travel to work costs
  • maintenance costs
  • nursing home costs

As part of the application for a means tested GP visit card, a person will need to provide:

  • personal details
  • relationship status
  • partner details
  • children or dependents’ information
  • residency in Ireland information
  • GP details
  • declaration
  • consent

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