Question
What is an emergency medical card?
Answer
An emergency
medical card is a temporary medical card that is issued without a
means test in certain emergency situations and is valid for 6 months. For
example, you could be issued an emergency medical card in an acute medical
crisis where you need urgent treatment that you cannot afford without a medical
card.
Only a healthcare professional (for
example, a doctor or consultant) can apply for an emergency medical card for
you. They must include a detailed medical report with the application.
The application will be reviewed by a Health
Service Executive (HSE) medical officer.
If your application is approved, it can
take 7 to 10 days to get your emergency medical card in the post. However, your
card will be active straight away so you can get the care you need.
You will need to complete a means
assessment before your emergency medical card expires. The HSE will write to
you when you need to do this. The means assessment is for a full medical card
for you and your family.
In some cases, the medical officer may
recommend a terminal illness card. These are given to people who are getting
‘end of life’ treatment. This means a prognosis of less than 12 months to live.
If you get a terminal illness card it will
never be reviewed and will not expire.
Further information is available from the
National Medical Card Unit on (051) 595 129, or Lo-call 1890 252 919, or from
the Citizens Information Centre below.
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