Commencement of registration process to provide Medical Card eligibility to children under 16 years

Pictured above: Welcoming the new DCA Medical Card are John Hennessy, HSE National Director Primary Care and Ann Marie Hoey, Assistant National Director, Primary Care Reimbursement & Eligibility.

The HSE is pleased to announce the commencement of the Registration process to provide Medical Card eligibility to children under 16 years affected by a significant disease or disability and where a Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable by the Department of Social Protection to support their care.  From 1 June 2017 onwards, more than 9,500 additional children will get Medical Card eligibility, once they are registered on the Medical Card – DCA scheme.

Children that have Medical Card eligibility or GP Visit Card eligibility currently will be automatically registered under the Medical Card – DCA scheme and will get a new Medical Card for a period of six years or, until the child’s reaches their 16th birthday (whichever is earlier).

Ms Anne Marie Hoey, Assistant National Director, HSE Primary Care Reimbursement & Eligibility said, “I am pleased to announce the commencement of the Registration process, which enables parents or guardians to register any child, in respect of whom a DCA is payable, to get full eligibility from 1 June 2017 onwards.   The majority of children whose parents or guardians are in receipt of a DCA already have either Medical Card or GP Visit Card eligibility.  The Health (Amendment) Act 2017 now enables the grant of eligibility to more than 9,500 children who do not have full eligibility currently.  I would encourage the parents or guardians of any child affected by a significant disease or disability and who is in receipt of a DCA to complete the easy-to-use Online registration process at www.medicalcard.ie or, alternatively register their child on this scheme using the relevant paper Registration Form (MC-DCA May 2107).”

Further information is available at www.medicalcard.ie or by calling 1890 252 919 (Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm).