What is the Long Term Illness Scheme? 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 LongTermIllnessScheme. This scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE), under Section 59 of the Health Act 1970.
The LongTermIllnessSchemedoes not depend on your income or other circumstances and is separate from the Medical Cardscheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.
The medical conditions that qualify under the LongTermIllnessScheme 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-termillness 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 LongTermIllnessIf 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 €100 per calendar month (from 1 January 2009) towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
