Illness

Unless we are very lucky, the chances are we will encounter illness or disability at some stages of our life. Here we examine the assistance that is available from the state should this occur.

Long-Term Illness

People suffering from certain conditions, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition. These are provided under the Long Term Illness Scheme. This scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE), under Section 59 of the Health Act 1970.

The Long Term Illness Scheme does not depend on your income or other circumstances and is separate from the Medical Card scheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.

Rules

The medical conditions that qualify under the Long Term Illness Scheme are:

* Mental handicap
* Mental illness (for people under 16 only)
* Diabetes insipidus
* Diabetes mellitus
* Haemophilia
* Cerebral palsy
* Phenylketonuria
* Epilepsy
* Cystic fibrosis
* Multiple sclerosis
* Spina bifida
* Muscular dystrophies
* Hydrocephalus
* Parkinsonism
* Acute leukaemia
* Conditions arising from use of Thalidomide

If you qualify, you will get a long-term illness book. This book lists the drugs and medicines for the treatment of your condition, which will be provided to you free of charge through your community pharmacist. Other drugs and medicines not related to the specified condition must be paid for in the normal way.

If your doctor or occupational therapist prescribes a medical or surgical appliance, it will be supplied to you from your Local Health Office
Non-medical card holders, non-GP Visit Card holders and conditions not covered under Long Term Illness

If you have neither a medical card, nor a GP Visit Card nor a medical condition listed above, you can use the Drugs Payment Scheme. Under this Scheme, individuals or families pay a maximum of €120 per calendar month (from 1 January 2010) towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
How to apply

A standard application form for the Long Term Illness Scheme is not available online. You can get an application form from your family doctor (GP) or your Local Health Office.

Send the completed application form directly to your Local Health Office.