Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…

If you have a medical condition covered by the Long-Term Illness Scheme, you can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition.

You must be ordinarily resident in Ireland to qualify. This means that you are living here and intend to live here for at least one year. Students from outside the EU do not qualify for the Long-Term Illness Scheme.

The Long-Term Illness Scheme does not depend on your income or other circumstances. You may also be eligible for a Medical card or GP visit card, depending on your circumstances.

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What conditions are covered by the Long-Term Illness Scheme?

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

• Intellectual disability
• 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 have one of these conditions, you will get a long-term illness card if you are ordinarily resident in Ireland.

What is the benefit of the Scheme?
You do not have to pay a prescription charge for drugs you are approved for under the Long-Term Illness Scheme. 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.

How to apply for the Long-Term Illness Scheme?

You can get an application form from your Local Health Office or download an application form from the HSE website. You can also call 0818 22 44 78 to order an application form or drop-in to your local Citizens Information Centre

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Is there any other scheme available to me if I do not have a condition covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme or do not have a medical card?

If you don’t have a medical card, or a GP visit card or a medical condition listed above, you can use the Drugs Payment Scheme to limit your expenses on prescription drugs. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, you and your family only have to pay a maximum of €80 each month for approved prescribed drugs and medicines, and certain appliances.

Who can apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme?

You must be living in Ireland and intend to live here for a minimum of one year (ordinarily resident). If you have a medical card you should have reduced prescription charges and so you are not eligible for the Drug Payment Scheme.

The scheme is based on the monthly cost of prescription drugs, medicines and certain appliances for you and:

• Your spouse or partner
• Your children if they are aged under 18 (or under 23 if in full-time education)
• A family member with a physical or intellectual disability or mental illness who cannot maintain themselves fully. You need to include a medical report for the family member who cannot maintain themselves.

How does the Drugs Payment Scheme work?

After you register for the scheme, you will get a plastic swipe card for each person named on the registration form. You should show this card whenever you collect your medication or appliances from the pharmacy. You should use the same pharmacy in a month to avoid paying more than the maximum €80. You do not have to register with a pharmacy for the scheme.

The HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service provides a list of medicines or aids provided under the Drugs Payment Scheme. Appliances covered include positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and rental costs for oxygen.

How to apply for the Drug Payment Scheme?

You can apply for the Drugs Payment Scheme online at mydps.ie. You can download a form from the HSE website or pick one up from your local Health Office or Citizens Information Centre.

• For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary.

The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.  Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.

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