Support Resources - Prostate Cancer
Health cover falls into two categories.
Cover for medical card holders and cover for all other categories.
Details of what these involve are given in the following pages.
At the end of this section there are also some useful telephone
numbers and addresses for further help.
Hospital cover
At present everyone is entitled to hospital inpatient services in
a public ward in all public hospitals. There is a €60 a night
charge up to a limit of €600 in 1 year. These charges do not
apply to medical card holders. Higher rates apply for semi-private
or private care.
Outpatient cover
If you go to the outpatients or A&E unit of a public hospital,
without being referred there by a GP, you may be charged €60.
There is no charge if you are referred by a GP. This charge does
not apply if you have a medical card or are admitted to hospital
as a result of attending the A&E unit first.
Medical card
A medical card usually allows you, your spouse and any child under
16 to free GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, inpatient
public hospital services, and outpatient services and medical appliances.
Every person aged 70 or over has a right to a medical card and no
means test is required. It covers the applicant only and not their
dependents.
For most people, to qualify for a medical card depends
on a means test. Financial guidelines are set out each year and
are available from your local Health Service Executive (HSE) office,
i.e. the former health board. If your means are above but close
to the guidelines, you should apply for a card anyway as a card
is granted in some situations. For example, if you have a large
amount of medical expenses. Also, you may qualify for a medical
card because you have a cancer diagnosis. In this case your spouse
and children will not be covered if your means are over the limit.
GP visit card
If you do not qualify for a full medical card, you may be eligible
for a new type of medical card. This is the ‘GP visit card’
and was introduced in 2005. It covers visits to your doctor only
and you will have to pay for drugs, outpatient/inpatient charges
and medical appliances yourself. It is means tested but will take
into account your-after tax income, your childcare, rent/mortgage
and travel to work expenses. Check with the medical social worker
or your HSE office to see if you are eligible.
Drugs Payment Scheme
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), individuals and families including
spouses and dependant children pay a limit of €85 each month
to cover the cost of prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances.
If you have not already received a DPS card for yourself and your
family, you can apply for cover under the scheme by contacting your
local HSE office. You can also register for this scheme by filling
in a registration form at your pharmacy. If you opt for egg freezing,
the cost of the drugs used in the procedure can be reclaimed through
the DPS.
Private healthcare cover
Private health insurance is used to pay for private care in hospital
or from various specialists in hospitals or in their practices.
In Ireland this is available through the VHI, BUPA, VIVAS Health
and other schemes. They provide cover for day care/inpatient treatment
and hospital outpatient treatment. Before attending hospital, it
is best to check the level of cover provided by your insurance company,
both for inpatient and outpatient services.
Benefits and Allowances
Disability
Benefit
This is a benefit for insured people. Eligibility will depend on
your PRSI contributions. You must be under 66 and unfit to work
due to illness. Each week you must send a social welfare medical
certificate signed by your doctor to the Dept of Social and Family
Affairs, PO Box 1650, Dublin 1. Tel (01) 679 7777. These certificates
are available from your GP and from the hospital you attend during
inpatient care. You should send your claim to the Department within
7 days of becoming ill and unable to attend work. A delay might
result in loss of payment.
Disability
Allowance
You may qualify for Disability Allowance if you are not eligible
for Disability Benefit and not able to work for at least a year.
Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a
disability who are aged between 16 and 66. You must have a means
test and be medically suitable for this allowance. To be medically
suitable you should have an illness that has continued or may continue
for at least 1 year. This means that you are unlikely to be able
to work for at least a year due to your illness. Application forms
are available from post offices, social welfare offices or the Disability
Allowance Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road,
Longford. Tel: (043) 45211 or (01) 874 8444.
Invalidity
pension
This is a pension paid instead of a Disability Benefit or Allowance,
if you are unable to work in the long term. There are three cases
where you can be eligible. (1) If you have been incapable of work
for at least 12 months and likely to be incapable for at least another
12 months. (2) If you are permanently incapable of work. (3) If
you are over age 60 and have a serious illness or incapacity.
Your eligibility for this pension will also depend
on your PRSI contributions. You are allowed a free travel pass and
certain extra benefits, such as bottled gas, telephone rental, fuel
allowance and assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Scheme. Application forms are available from the Invalidity Pension
Claims Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road,
Longford. Tel: (043) 45211 or (01) 874 8444.
Carer’s
Allowance
This is an allowance for carers on low incomes who look after someone
who needs full-time care and attention. There are a number of benefits
with this scheme such as a free travel pass for the carer, free
television licence, and home energy allowance. A telephone allowance
has been extended to carers giving full-time care. There is also
a contribution towards respite care. This is a means-tested allowance.
For more advice, talk to your social worker and/or the Dept of Social
and Family Affairs. Application forms are available from your social
welfare office or from the Carer’s Allowance Section, Social
Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road,
Longford. Tel: (043) 45211, Ext. 8940 or Dublin (01) 704 3000, Ext.
8940.
Carer’s
Benefit
If you are employed but wish to care for a sick relative, you may
qualify for a Carer’s Benefit. This is a payment made to insured
persons who leave the workforce to care for someone in need of full-time
care and attention. Under Carer’s Leave legislation, you may
be entitled to unpaid temporary leave from your employment. You
should apply for Carer’s Benefit 8 weeks before you intend
to leave employment so that your eligibility can be assessed prior
to leaving your employment.
More information is available from the Carer’s
Benefit Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings,
Ballinalee Road, Longford. Tel: (043) 45211, Ext. 8787 / Dublin
(01) 704 3000, Ext. 8787.
Appliances
For patients who have medical cards most appliances are free of
charge. For example, you are entitled to a new hairpiece or wig
every 6 months.
Travel
to hospital
Patients can be faced with many expenses including travelling to
and from hospital. If your travel costs are very expensive, discuss
it with your social worker at the hospital. Limited help may also
be available from your community welfare officer. Some HSE areas
provide transport services to hospitals for outpatient appointments
and day centres. Sometimes the HSE may assist with transport costs
for a person who has to travel a long distance to a hospital.
In general, people who do not have medical cards
may be charged for the service. However, the practice varies between
HSE areas and is often dependent on personal circumstances. Charges
may be waived in certain cases, e.g. hardship, etc.
Further
information
Depending on your circumstances at the time of your illness, there
are many other benefits and entitlements which may be relevant to
you. Always have your PPS number (old RSI number) to hand when you
are enquiring about entitlements and benefits. The most direct way
to check your eligibility is to contact:
- Your
community welfare officer in your local health centre
- The
medical social worker in the hospital you are attending.
For social welfare queries contact:
Information
Service
Dept of Social and Family Affairs
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada
Store Street
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 874 8444
Leaflet line: 1890 202 325
Email: info@welfare.ie
Website: www.welfare.ie
If you have queries about health and social services, contact the
HSE office in your area. In 2005 the functions of the local health
boards were transferred to the Health Service Executive
(HSE). See www.hse.ie
for more details.
HSE
Eastern Region
[formerly Eastern Regional Health
Authority]
Customer Services Department
Dr Steeven’s Hospital
Dublin 8
Tel: 01 635 2400
or Freefone 1800 520 520
Email: customerservices@erha.ie
Website: www.erha.ie
HSE
Midland Area
[formerly Midland Health Board]
Head Office
Arden Road
Tullamore
Co Offaly
Tel: 0506 218 68
Fax: 0506 517 60
Website: www.mhb.ie
HSE
Mid-Western Area
[formerly Mid-Western Health Board]
Head Office
31–33 Catherine Street
Limerick
Tel: 061 316 665
Fax: 061 483 250
Website: www.mwhb.ie
HSE
North Eastern Area
[formerly North Eastern Health Board]
Head Office
Navan Road
Kells
Co Meath
Tel: 046 9280 500
Fax: 046 9241 459
Website: www.nehb.ie
HSE
North Western Area
[formerly North Western Health Board]
Head Office
Manorhamilton
Co Leitrim
Tel: 071 9820 400 / 1850 636
313
Fax: 071 9820 431
Website: www.nwhb.ie
HSE
South Eastern Area
[formerly South Eastern Health Board]
Head Office
Lacken
Dublin Road
Kilkenny
Tel: 056 7784 100
Fax: 056 7784 388
Website: www.sehb.ie
HSE
Southern Area
[formerly Southern Health Board]
Head Office
Wilton Road
Cork
Tel: 021 4545 011
Website: www.shb.ie
HSE
Western Area
[formerly Western Health Board]
Head Office
Merlin Park Regional Hospital
Galway
Tel: 091 751 131
Fax: 091 752 644
Website: www.whb.ie
Information is also available from your local Citizens Advice Centre.
A list of these centres is available from:
Comhairle (formerly the National Social Services Board)
7th Floor, Hume House, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Tel: 01 605 9000
Citizen Information: 1890 777 121
Email: comhairle@comhairle.ie
Website: www.comhairle.ie
- Your
community welfare officer in your local health centre
- The
medical social worker in the hospital you are attending.
For social welfare
queries contact:
Information
Service
Dept of Social and Family Affairs
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada
Store Street
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 874
8444
Leaflet line: 1890 202 325
Email: info@welfare.ie
Website: www.welfare.ie
If you have queries about health and social services, contact the
HSE office in your area. In 2005 the functions of the local health
boards were transferred to the Health Service Executive
(HSE). See www.hse.ie
for more details.
Information
Guide to Health Services
(published by the Dept of Health and Children).
Copies are available from your local HSE area office.
Tel: 01 671 4711 for local HSE numbers.
Guide
to Social Welfare Services
(published by the Dept of Social and Family Affairs).
Copies available from the Dept of Social and Family Affairs. Tel:
01 874 8444. Email: info@welfare.ie.
Website: www.welfare.ie
Entitlements for People with Disabilities (published by Comhairle).
Available from Comhairle. Tel: 01 605 9000. Email: comhairle@comhairle.ie
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