Entitlements

Long Term Illness Scheme

This is arguably the most important scheme to be aware of for a person with epilepsy. This is because qualification for the scheme is condition specific and is not means-tested meaning you do not have meet certain income thresholds to qualify. Epilepsy is a qualifying condition for eligibility for the Long-Term Illness scheme. Epilepsy Drug are renowned for being expensive and often one drug can cost thousands of euro.

Once you have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, you are entitled to the Long-Term Illness scheme. The scheme ensures that all costs of medications prescribed for your epilepsy are covered the state. Prescription charges do not apply these medications. Therefore, even if you have a Medical Card (see information on that below), it worth getting a LTI card as you will not have to pay prescription charges.  You can avail of the LTI card even if you have a full medical card or a GP visit card.

Medical Card & GP Visit Card

If you hold a medical card, you can receive certain health services free of charge. Normally, your dependent spouse or partner and your children are also covered for the same range of health services. A GP visit card allows you to visit a participating family doctor (GP) for free.

Unfortunately, you do are not automatically entitled to a Medical Card or a GP Visit card because of a diagnosis of epilepsy. However, you may qualify for a card provided you meet the income thresholds. These thresholds change depending on your circumstances – number of dependent children, whether you have a spouse or partner etc. Additionally, discretionary Medical or GP visit cards can be awarded in certain cases even if income limits have been surpassed due to medical need.

The Medical Card and GP Visit card are assessed under the one application form and take account of the entire household as part of the application process – i.e, if you have a family of four (two parents and two children; one child with epilepsy), you will need to include details of the entire household, even if you are only applying with the view to establishing your child’s eligibility for a Medical or GP visit card.  Those over 70 automatically for a GP visit card but can have their eligibility for a full Medical Card assessed under the form.

Hospital charges

We know that people with epilepsy can be regularly admitted to hospital due a seizure and should they not qualify for a medical card, we often field questions about how much this may cost. The current cost of public inpatient bed charges is €80 per night. However, the maximum amount payable for a year is €800 – i.e, if your bill begins to surpass this amount, you will not be charged.

Should you self-present to A&E without a medical referral, the charge is €100.

Dental Care

Dental care can often be an issue for many people with epilepsy due to the nature of their seizures. Medical card holders are entitled to certain dental treatments such as a dental exam, 2 fillings and extractions as necessary in a year. Medical card holders with certain medical conditions, including epilepsy, are eligible for additional treatments such as teeth cleaning, as well.  Your dentist can advise on eligibility for these treatments. If you need dentures the dentist can apply to the HSE for approval to provide these.