Expansion of Doctor Visit Cards

Free GP Care & Eligibility

 

• Registered Fairview Medical Centre patients (who do not currently have a Doctor Visit Card) can apply NOW.
• We are not accepting any new applicants who are not currently registered with the practice.
• Once you have applied online, the HSE will follow up with issuing a Doctor Visit Card and you will be covered for free GP services once the issue date on the card, otherwise standard fees apply.
• Any queries or follow up to your online HSE Doctor Visit Card Application will need to be addressed directly with the HSE:  Tel:  0818 224478  Email:  [email protected]
• Please note on the online application you will be asked to select your GP Practice and doctor:
       For Fairview Medical Centre patients please select Dr. Sinead MacEoin  or Dr. Ronan Cormican
       For Clontarf Family Practice patient please select Dr. Claire Noonan
  As all doctors work together, you may still see your doctor of choice or next available doctor – Must Reg with 1 practice, but cannot attend both surgeries
• A text message will be issued from the HSE within 48hrs after we receive the HSE notice and approve the application, please allow 48hr minimum period of time before any follow up with the HSE    Tel:  0818 224478  Email:  [email protected] 
• Children already aged 5 will automatically have their card extended on their 6th birthday and do not need to reapply

Medical cards and GP visit cards

GP visit cards for children under 8

Children under 8 are entitled to free visits to participating GPs from date of card issue. Find out how to register for the GP visit card for children.

 

GP visit cards

• Unless you have a valid medical card or GP visit card, visits to family doctors are not free.
• What is a GP visit card and how can you apply? (note: this covers GP Services but not medications).
• Note updates in Income Eligibility from 11/09/23 & 13/11/23. Click on title above for further information.

 

Medical cards

The medical card scheme entitles certain people to free public health services (e.g free gp consults, medications, secondary care etc). This document explains the medical card and how to apply for it.

 

Medical card means test: aged under 70

How your income is assessed for the medical card income limits if you are under 70 years of age.

 

Medical card means test: aged over 70

How your income is assessed for the medical card income limits if you are over 70 years of age.

 

Emergency medical cards

In certain emergency situations, a healthcare professional can apply for you to get a medical card known as an emergency medical card.

 There are certain services that GPs are not obliged to provide free of charge

 

 

Contacting the Surgery by Phone 

Our phone lines can be exceptionally busy, we have 4 lines open and 4 lines in the queue.  However, we appreciate it can be difficult to get through particularly during our peak periods.   For routine inquiries it is best to contact the surgery between 11:30 and 2pm or 3:00 to 5pm when the lines are freer.  We accept emails for administration queries only to [email protected].

We DO NOT accept any medical queries by emails or emails to return phone calls.    Thank you for your patients with this service.

Completion of Forms

Please allow a minimum of 10 working days for forms to be completed (please understand that during our peak periods this may take longer). Forms will not be completed during a medical consultation due to time constraints and the necessity to keep clinics running on schedule, as medical consultations will take precedence.  Fees applicable for forms not covered under the GMS/DVC/Dept SP etc, SMS will be issued with the relevant fees based on the form.   Forms can be dropped in to the letter box at reception hallway or can be emailed to [email protected]  with the relevant patient information completed in advance.

 

How to apply for Social Welfare Illness Benefit

1. If patient requires a Certificate of Incapacity (called MED1) for accessing illness benefit patient must have been seen by their GP first regarding this condition.   Tel 018339586 to book your appointment (this also applies to work certs). Your GP can then submit a cert via e-Certification facility or issue a hardcopy MED1.

2. Following MED1 submission and to receive payment for absence in work, patient must also complete Illness Benefit application (called IB1 form) and send it by Free Post to Social Welfare Services, Store Street, Dublin 1.

IB1 form this can be collected at reception after consultation. Alternatively, patient can order form by emailing [email protected] or contact Illness benefit office 1890 800 024 to request the form to be posted for free.

NB: Illness Benefit is not paid for first 3 days of the absence (for non-Covid 19 related conditions).

Please note: to receive Covid illness or Covid self-isolation certs, please email us copy of text message from HSE regarding antigen test results (HSE antigen kit results only) or PCR test results and e-Cert will be organised. Otherwise, please arrange the telephone consultation with GP.

From Saturday 30^th April 2022 patients will NOT be able to upload the HSE text whilst applying online for Covid enhanced payment. They need to request MED1 cert from own GP (hard copy or e-Cert).

Online Illness Benefit facility available at www.mywelfare.ie is for covid 19 illness or covid self-isolation applications ONLY.

3. If patient provides relevant clinical documentation from hospital/clinic with condition stated and duration of the absence, does not require appointment with own GP to receive certification, this can be done based on the reports provided to the GP (by email or hand)

4. For repeat social welfare certs MED1 or MED2, and work certs, please email at [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance (working days) with your full details and dates and it will be organised for you.

Please note: GP might need to see you for review before issuing further certification.

Ongoing illness: When patient receives a letter from Department requesting less frequent certification (ie every 4 or 13 or 26 weeks), then need to provide you GP with a copy of such letter and ask to submit MED2 e-Cert or to issue hardcopy MED2.

5. Patients who  need a final cert or returned to work earlier than a social welfare cert was issued for, should  let GP know via email or email at [email protected] requesting closing  illness benefit claim (please provide full personal details, PPS number and Return to work date).

6. Patients with long-term illness, who applied for allowances or other benefits or retired, should let us know once they are granted with new payment (ie disability allowance, pension, etc) in order for the doctor to stop sending social welfare certs, unless patients have been advised by social welfare otherwise.

For more information regarding illness benefit and social welfare certs please use links below:

https://www.gov.ie/en/service/ddf6e3-illness-benefit/

How to apply for EU Digital COVID Certificate of Vaccination 

Please click on link below, please note we have no access to this ourselves, but HSE usually very quick to respond by email after submitting request.

https://www.covidcertificateportal.gov.ie/en-US/issue-vaccine-cert/