gp visit card under 6 register online

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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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HSE encourages people to apply for the GP visit Card online

HSE Press Release

Monday, 13 November 2023

The HSE is encouraging all those who may be eligible to apply online via hse.ie/gpvisitcards following the announcement by Minster for Health Stephen Donnelly TD.

Encouraging those eligible to apply for a card Shaun Flanagan, HSE Assistant National Director, Primary Care Reimbursement Service said: “The HSE would encourage all those who think they may be eligible to apply. It’s important to remember that you could quality even if the amount of money you earn is high and if your expenses are also high. Your application will be means tested and you will be asked to self-declare your income and allowable outgoings.

“When you apply, you should have you PPSN number, income and expense details, marital status, DOB (date of birth) and details on any children dependent on you to make it easier for you. Remember the quickest and easiest way to apply for a GP visit card is online .

“GP visit cards allow the holders to access GP care without charges. If you have a GP visit card, you don't have to pay to see your doctor, but you will have to pay for medicines and other services.”

People can apply for a GP visit card if they are age 8 to 69, live in the Republic of Ireland or plan to live here for at least a year, and will be income tested. This means we look at a person’s income, personal circumstances and expenses to see if they qualify.

The HSE operates random and targeted control processes to ensure that only those who qualify receive means tested GP visit cards. You may be asked to produce supporting documentation to process your application.

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GP visit cards

With a GP visit card you don't have to pay to see your GP. Find out about the types of GP visit cards and how to apply

Types you can apply for
Lost or stolen medical card or GP visit card
Contact GP visit card service
GPs who accept medical cards or GP visit cards

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 ?

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Children aged six and seven can be registered for free GP care from today

FREE GP CARE will be available for children aged six and seven can be registered for free GP care for the first time from today.

Families and guardians can register online for a GP Visit Card in the age group as part of the continued rollout of free GP services for children.

GP Visit Cards allow the holders to see their doctor without any charge, while still having to pay for medicines and other services.

The HSE said it is encouraging families and guardians to make online applications for a GP Visit Card from today via the HSE website here .

Shaun Flanagan, HSE Assistant National Director for the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, said there should not be any delay in registering new applicants to the scheme.

“Our staff have been working hard in the background preparing for this change. We have updated our systems and processes to make it as easy as possible for people to apply for the new GP Visit Cards on behalf of eligible children,” Flanagan said.

He urged parents and guardians to use the “quickest and easiest way to apply” by using the website for a GP visit card for your child is online,” said.

Children under 6 years of age have been eligible for GP Visit Cards since 2015.

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 .

In its statement announcing the change, the HSE said that extending eligibility to children aged six and seven was supported by an agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation signed last month

The HSE said this has put in place a series of supports to allow GPs to meet the likely increase in demand for services.

In addition, eligibility for income based means tested GP Visit Cards is being widened in two phases commencing next month.

The first phase is being introduced on Monday 11th September, and the second phase commences on Monday, 13th November next.

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