Long-Term Illness Scheme
- Introduction
- How the Long-Term Illness Scheme works
- Apply for the Long-Term Illness Scheme
- Further Information
Introduction
If you have a medical condition covered by the Long-Term Illness Scheme, you can get some drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition for free.
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.
The Long-Term Illness Scheme does not depend on your income or other circumstances. There is no means test for the long-term illness scheme. You may also be eligible for a Medical card or GP visit card, depending on your circumstances.
How the Long-Term Illness Scheme works
The medical conditions that qualify under the Long-Term Illness Scheme are:
- Acute leukaemia
- Cerebral palsy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes insipidus
- Diabetes mellitus (Gestational diabetes not included)
- Epilepsy
- Haemophilia
- Hydrocephalus
- Intellectual disability
- Mental illness - people under the age of 16 years
- Muscular dystrophy
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinsonism
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Spina bifida
- Thalidomide conditions
If you qualify, you will get a Long-Term Illness card.
You do not have to pay for medication you are approved for under the Long-Term Illness Scheme. This includes any prescription charges. Other drugs and medicines not related to the specified condition must be paid for in the usual way.
If your doctor or occupational therapist prescribes a medical or surgical appliance, it will be supplied to you from your Local Health Office. You can find a list of approved medicines and appliances under the scheme.
This scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Apply for the Long-Term Illness Scheme
You can get an application form from your Local Health Office or download an application form (pdf). If you are having any problems, you can phone 0818 22 44 78 to order an application form.
Fill in the form and get your doctor or consultant to sign it and provide a medical report.
To show that you live in Ireland, you can send with your application one of the following:
- A utility bill (such as gas or electricity) dated within the last 3 months
- A recent bank or credit union statement
- A current car or home insurance policy in the applicant’s name
- An official document from Revenue, a government department or a local authority
Post the form to the Client Registration Unit address listed below.
Find out more about applying for the Long-Term Illness Scheme card.
Further Information
Drugs Payment Scheme
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.
Contact
For more information about the Long-Term Illness Scheme, contact 0818 22 44 78 or email clientregistration@hse.ie.
Send your completed application form to: