Prescription Claim Form - How to make the claim?

Dinarius

First off......this has no doubt been discussed before. I would have searched, but the Search facility isn't working. ;-)

I have been on long term medication for 10 years. Every time I go to the chemist, I get a Prescription Claim Form with my medication. I have never bothered to make use of this since each year I give all my medical expenses and receipts to my accountant, and the meds aren't that expensive in any case.

However, I am a bit cheesed-off with having to hand over the money and I would like to get the meds for free.

The form is completed each time, but there is no indication whatsoever about who/where to send it to.

What do I do?

Many thanks.

D.

rugbug86

you will only get the meds for free if its a specific illness on the list. i'm not sure exactly whats on the list - diabetes is (i think) but asthma isn't.

if your tablets are over €85 per month, you could go onto the drugs payment scheme. then it seems free. i'm getting great value out of mine

Dinarius

Thanks.

But, who do I ask about it? The Eastern Health Board?

D.

tbh

rugbug86 wrote:

you will only get the meds for free if its a specific illness on the list. i'm not sure exactly whats on the list - diabetes is (i think) but asthma isn't.

if your tablets are over €85 per month, you could go onto the drugs payment scheme. then it seems free. i'm getting great value out of mine

People suffering from any of the following conditions, who are not already Medical Card holders, may obtain without charge the approved prescribed drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition under the Long-term Illness Scheme:
Mental handicap, mental illness (for persons under 16 only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephaluis, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinsonism and acute leukaemia.


You can get the form for prescription rebate and a list of addresses to apply to for your local area at:

http://www.hse.ie/en/FindaService/Forms/FiletoUpload,6686,en.pdf

rcs

tbh wrote:

People suffering from any of the following conditions, who are not already Medical Card holders, may obtain without charge the approved prescribed drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition under the Long-term Illness Scheme:
Mental handicap, mental illness (for persons under 16 only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephaluis, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinsonism and acute leukaemia.


You can get the form, and a list of addresses for your local area at:

http://www.hse.ie/en/FindaService/Forms/FiletoUpload,6686,en.pdf

If your illness is not one of the above. You can fill out a Med1 form (found at Revenue.ie) & claim back some/most of the expense of your medication from the Revenue. I think this year, an individual must pay the first €125 & the rest will be refunded to you in tax credits.

I've been taking long term medication for the last few years for Crohn's disease (not listed under the long term illness scheme) & I think this list should be urgently reviewed. The list hasn't been updated in years & I think it's a bit ridiculous that people with a long term illness, not on this list (such as crohns), should have to pay out €85 every month.

I asked a TD to bring it up with Mary Harney & got a letter back from her office saying that the list is not under review at the moment & to avail of the Med1 form I mentioned above.

Something to think about when voting in a few weeks

galah

Kind of the same question, relating to the drugs payment scheme:

I've applied for the drugs payment scheme (since my new medication is effing expensive) - does that mean I only have to pay the first 85 Euros, and after that, all prescribed medication is free of charge, or will I still have to pay, and reclaim the money spent later (I forgot to ask the pharmacist...)? There's no real info on the HSE site . If anyone here could clear this up, I'd be grateful!

Cheers
galah

rugbug86

you only pay €85 for the month - once you go to the same chemist

and yes, the list does need to be reviewed. asthma should be on it.

mike65

tbh wrote:

Mental handicap, mental illness (for persons under 16 only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephaluis, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinsonism and acute leukaemia.

Thats a short list all things considered, I'd be interested to know what other health systems cover.

Mike.

Spocker

galah wrote:

... I only have to pay the first 85 Euros, and after that, all prescribed medication is free of charge,

This is correct. As I have Colitis, my medication comes to about €125/month, but I only pay the €85 and thats it - it makes it easy to fill in the Med1 form to have in the post on the 1st Jan each year - I get almost €450 back

As an aside, something my friendly local pharmacist pointed out on the application form for the DPS Scheme was the section that had the text "you, your spouse or your partner" (sic) on it, so she suggested that my missus (not married, but we're co-habiting) apply to be on my card. Sent off the form and her card arrived in the post a couple of weeks later. Now because I pay the €85/month anyways she gets all her perscription meds for free.

Her card has my PPS number on it with the letter B on the end (mine has the A).

S.

Dinarius

Can you clear up something for me.........

Are you saying that you have to pay €85 per month *after* all refunds/rebates?

i.e. Does anyone, regardless of income, have to find €1020 per annum (12 x €85) in order to pay for their medicines?

Or can they reclaim this against tax at the end of the year?

Many thanks.

D.

Spocker

Dinarius wrote:

Are you saying that you have to pay €85 per month *after* all refunds/rebates?

In my case, I have a DPS card. That means the most I pay in any given month is €85 - anything over that is free

Dinarius wrote:

Does anyone, regardless of income, have to find €1020 per annum (12 x €85) in order to pay for their medicines?

I assume those who are entitled to free medications (according to the list) or have a medical card don't have to pay anything up front, but I'm open to correction on this.

Dinarius wrote:

Or can they reclaim this against tax at the end of the year?

I can reclaim tax relief on the €85/month that I spend each month, and I do at the start of each year, for the previous year. At a minimum I pay €85*12=€1020-excess of €125=€895*42%=€375.90 in my pocket by the end of January

Does that answer your questions?

More informatoion here:-> http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/money-and-tax/tax/income-tax-credits-and-reliefs/taxation_and_medical_expenses

Dinarius

Spocker,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Two more questions........

1. Why the excess of €125?

2. Am I right in thinking that you are still out of pocket to the tune of €519.10 at the end of each year? i.e. €895-€375.90 If so, is this because your medication is not on the list which would make it completely free?

3. Are you P.A.Y.E. or self-employed? I have never really thought about all this until recently when a chemist said that I should look into not paying for my medication. I am self-employed and I pass over all my receipts (and I mean ALL my receipts) to my accountant every year. I can only assume that he claim all I am entitled to.

Thanks again.

D.

Spocker

No problemo. To answer your (three ) questions:

1. A Revenue imposed minimum spend before you can make a claim;

2. You are correct

3. I'm PAYE. Does you accountant itemise what you get back or does he just tell you the entire amount (including other non-medical claims)?

Dinarius

Spocker,

I just assume that my accountant is correct! ;-)

I never check these things. But, I claim for *everything*!. I even reclaim VAT on parking. (I spend a fortune on parking. €24 yesterday alone, for example.)

So, on balance, I do OK.

But, I'm more than a bit suprised at this apartheid that exists in relation to illness and medication. This whim of some aparatchik in Revenue or DOH seems to be the difference between being out of pocket or not.

Room for lobbying there, I would have thought.

Thanks for the replies.

D.

LegacyUser

Just doing my tax for last year. and filling out a med 1 form which allows you to claim against tax for the money you spend on presriptions. If you are giving the claim form to your accountant he is probably filling out the med 1 for you

Fatloss08

u can only claim for previous 4 years

just total up how much u spent on tablets and doctors fee's etc and send it away

mine where like €1500-2000 a year and got €700 + which is nice when u get it back

angeldelight

To be honest I don't think having to pay 500 euro a year is that excessive... particularly as if you have a DPS card that's 500 odd euro for your spouse/partner/childrens prescription meds during the year too, even things like once off antibiotics are covered. And people on the medical card don't pay anything. There's absolutely no chance of the list of illnesses on the long term illness scheme being reviewed... the HSE are currently trying to curb the amount spent on the drugs budget so they'll be steering clear of paying for even more conditions. The one that annoys me the most is that they specify mental illness but onlly in the under 16s... what a ridiculous and arbitrary cut off point! Either include it or don't

The_Conductor

angeldelight wrote: »

To be honest I don't think having to pay 500 euro a year is that excessive... particularly as if you have a DPS card that's 500 odd euro for your spouse/partner/childrens prescription meds during the year too, even things like once off antibiotics are covered. And people on the medical card don't pay anything. There's absolutely no chance of the list of illnesses on the long term illness scheme being reviewed... the HSE are currently trying to curb the amount spent on the drugs budget so they'll be steering clear of paying for even more conditions. The one that annoys me the most is that they specify mental illness but onlly in the under 16s... what a ridiculous and arbitrary cut off point! Either include it or don't

I have to agree with you there angeldelight.
I don't think having to pay 500 euro a year is excessive (myself and the wifey actually pay closer to 7-8k, and we have the DPS card.......) Ps- the DPS card is now 90 a month- so its actually EUR1080.

You are quite correct about there being nil chance of the list of longterm illnesses being reviewed. What is so annoying is the totally arbitrary nature of the list they use- some very serious conditions and illnesses aren't on the list, while other far more minor conditions are. Its pretty much a case of who was able to make the most noise when they were originally compiling the list.......

You can do what I do- rattle off a letter to Mary Harney every now and then (which will get forwarded onto the HSE for direct reply and get lost and never heard of again). After you've written a few you pretty much give up.

Democracy isn't supposed to work like this.......

MattDM

Hi see the link below for info and appication form:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/entitlements/Drugs_Payment_Scheme/

I also copy pasted the info in case the link wouldn't work
Your Guide to Drugs Payment Scheme

What is the Drugs Payment Scheme?
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, an individual or family in Ireland only has to pay €100 each month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by that person or his or her family in that month. The amount is determined from time to time by the Minister for Health and Children. If you have a GP Visit Card or do not have a Medical Card you should apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card.
This scheme is aimed at those who don't have a Medical Card and normally have to pay the full cost of their medication. It also applies to those who have a GP Visit Card. Anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland can apply to join the scheme, regardless of family, financial circumstances or nationality. Being ordinarily resident in Ireland means that you have been living here for a minimum of one year or that you intend to live here for a minimum of one year.

The definition of a family for this Scheme, is an adult, their spouse, and any children under 18 years. Dependents over 18 years and under 23 years who are in full time education may also be included. Everyone ordinarily resident in Ireland without a Medical Card should have a Drugs Payment Scheme Card.
How Much do I Pay?
You will not pay more than €100 for all your prescribed approved medication each calendar month. This maximum amount is subject to review by the Government from time to time. You must present your card each time you attend the pharmacy before a prescription can be dispensed. For details of the maximum amount please refer to the Drugs Payment Scheme and Medical Card rates leaflet. There are a number of items that legally do not require a prescription but for inclusion under the scheme they do require a doctor's prescription.
How do I Qualify?
You must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and hold a PPSN. There is no means test for the Drugs Payment Scheme.

How do I Apply?
Click on the links on this page to download the application form in english or irish,or get a form from your pharmacy or Local Health Office.

Fill in the details of all your family members. Send it to your Local Health Office and you will be sent a card for each member of your family. You must present your card each time you attend the pharmacy before a prescription can be dispensed. You do not have to register with a particular Pharmacy for the scheme but for convenience it is advisable to use the same pharmacy in a particular month if you wish to avoid paying more than the maximum amount per month.

Where people need to use two or more pharmacies in one month, they can claim back the amount paid over the threshold from their Local Health Office.

If you lose or misplace your Drugs Payment Scheme Card, contact your Local Health Office for more information.

Last updated on: 23 / 10 / 2009

anotherlostie

For anyone that doesn't already know, the monthly payment is going up to €120 from January, and from this year, relief is only given at the marginal (lower) tax rate, effectively halving the rebate that can be claimed - people will start to realise this now when they claim for 2009.

Although it can be argued that it was never fair that people paying the higher rate of tax should have been able to claim back more than those on the marginal rate. But I don't think social equity was what the government had in mind when they changed this!

flemishgael

I've been out sick almost 6 months now with a depression and anxiety and I'm on social welfare (188 a week) and spend about 148 a month on medication. I do get a prescription claim form, but I have no idea what to do with them. I have Vhi healthcare but they don't refund medication. I have heard the Drugs Payment Scheme would refund me a wee bit if I spend more than 85 a month but I have no idea where to send the Prescription Claim forms to. There is nothing on them that indicates how to claim back the funds.
I could really use a bit of a financial break now as living on 188 a week, spending 148 a month on medication and 350 on rent leaves me without any money for anything, not even enough food.

The_Conductor

Unfortunately the DPS cutoff is 144 a month (the last time it was 85 was several years ago). If your finances are as dire as they sound- I'd suggest contacting your local Community Welfare Officer in the first instance- he or she should be in a position to explain what rights and entitlements you have- and guide you to a better place. The 188 a week is not meant to cover your rent and medication on top of everything else.....

flemishgael

The_Conductor wrote: »

Unfortunately the DPS cutoff is 144 a month (the last time it was 85 was several years ago). If your finances are as dire as they sound- I'd suggest contacting your local Community Welfare Officer in the first instance- he or she should be in a position to explain what rights and entitlements you have- and guide you to a better place. The 188 a week is not meant to cover your rent and medication on top of everything else.....

That sounds promising. I'm not sure how to meet my Local Community Welfare Officer though. Can I just walk into the Welfare Office here in Carrigaline or do I need to make an appointment first?

ncur

CWO's have their own clinics, it would seem that those clinics are on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30 - 11.00 in the Carrigaline Health Centre, from what I can see from these links

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-cork.aspx

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsarchive/200920082007Archive/Nov_2009/help%20for%20flood%20victims.html

Cork South Lee West CWO Clinics
Carrigaline Health Centre
Tuesday 9.30-11.00
Thursday 9.30-11.00

Good luck.

flemishgael

I suppose I can just walk in tomorrow at 9.30am?????

Spent all day getting all documentation ready.
Have every single bank statement, P45, P60, payslip, doctors note, receipts, etc. for the last 10 years ordered in envelopes and ready.

ncur

Happy to be corrected by others, but yes, I believe you get there and wait your turn, but I wouldn't swear to it either. I don't remember anything about an appointment system, but I guess you'll find out tomorrow either which way. Good luck with it, hope the CWO can help you.

flemishgael

Thanks mate. Will queue up early tomorrow. Anxiety doesn't make it easier to be around groups but I'm banking on the other people being late or oversleeping.

flemishgael

Just hope nobody tries talking to me. I'm not very good with people and the anxiety and depression doesn't make it any better. Exactly the reason why I'm not in work. I find it hard to be around people and even the bus is a torture to me.

Many, many thanks for all your help. Really hope they can help me tomorrow.

neemish

Just to prepare you - no matter what paperwork you bring, the chances are, you will be asked to go off and get something else! This just seems to be standard. But in my experience, CWO's are very helpful. Ask about medical card and rent allowance. You don't say what benefit you are on, but if you are on invalidity/disability on a long term basis, ask about household benefits.


Be there at 9am and bring a book! Best of luck.

flemishgael

neemish wrote: »

Just to prepare you - no matter what paperwork you bring, the chances are, you will be asked to go off and get something else! This just seems to be standard. But in my experience, CWO's are very helpful. Ask about medical card and rent allowance. You don't say what benefit you are on, but if you are on invalidity/disability on a long term basis, ask about household benefits.


Be there at 9am and bring a book! Best of luck.

Thanks for that. I suppose they are trained to make it difficult for people or to discourage me from claiming benefits. I also don't want to be a burden to the state.
Thanks for the advice. I've written it down so will ask for that.

flemishgael

At the moment I'm only on the 188 a week sickness benefit.
I'm still employed by my employer and trying to get better via medication (Lexapro 20mg and Seroquel 100mg) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (another 160 euro a month) and hopefully get back to work. I'm not sure at the moment if I'm ever going to be able but if I quit my job I get no benefits at all and they can't fire me while I'm sick.
I don't want to be qualified as disabled for now as it would mean I could not go back to my current job.
As I'm "just sick" for now I was told I can't get a medical card or housing benefits as technically I'm still employed for 20K a year, I'm just not getting any payments at all from my employer.
As a matter of fact they say they paid me too much at the beginning of my illness as want me to pay 4000 euros back to them.
As I lived in the north in 2011 I got no illness benefits at all in 2013 so I had no income at all for the first 1,5 months. I've only been receiving Illness benefit since 3 february so was not paid at all since 16 December 2013 except for the advance my employer usually pays which was for the latter half of December. They now want to claim that advance and my salary for december back as they claim I didn't work enough in that month.
I've told them I have no money at all at the moment and I don't so I will pay it back to them when I am coming back to work.
They want it back in 4 instalments of 1000 euros leaving me on about 800 for the first 4 months I'm back.
I'm supposed to pay 700 in rent each month but my girlfriend currently pays that for me as well as her own rent as I can't afford the rent after paying therapy, counselling, medication, GP visits, O2 mobile bill, gas and electricity and Sky. I've tied cancelling sky but they charge a fee for cancelling within a year which is something I can't afford and it would leave me without internet and telephone which is the only way I can currently communicate with my parents as I can't afford to fly back home.

flemishgael

At the moment I'm only on the 188 a week sickness benefit.
I'm still employed by my employer and trying to get better via medication (Lexapro 20mg and Seroquel 100mg) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (another 160 euro a month) and hopefully get back to work. I'm not sure at the moment if I'm ever going to be able but if I quit my job I get no benefits at all and they can't fire me while I'm sick.
I don't want to be qualified as disabled for now as it would mean I could not go back to my current job.
As I'm "just sick" for now I was told I can't get a medical card or housing benefits as technically I'm still employed for 20K a year, I'm just not getting any payments at all from my employer.
As a matter of fact they say they paid me too much at the beginning of my illness as want me to pay 4000 euros back to them.
As I lived in the north in 2011 I got no illness benefits at all in 2013 so I had no income at all for the first 1,5 months. I've only been receiving Illness benefit since 3 february so was not paid at all since 16 December 2013 except for the advance my employer usually pays which was for the latter half of December. They now want to claim that advance and my salary for december back as they claim I didn't work enough in that month.
I've told them I have no money at all at the moment and I don't so I will pay it back to them when I am coming back to work.
They want it back in 4 instalments of 1000 euros leaving me on about 800 for the first 4 months I'm back.
I'm supposed to pay 700 in rent each month but my girlfriend currently pays that for me as well as her own rent as I can't afford the rent after paying therapy, counselling, medication, GP visits, O2 mobile bill, gas and electricity and Sky. I've tied cancelling sky but they charge a fee for cancelling within a year which is something I can't afford and it would leave me without internet and telephone which is the only way I can currently communicate with my parents as I can't afford to fly back home.

flemishgael

So was at social welfare office at 9am only to be sent to 3 other buildings around Carrigaline and finally the last one, on church hill, housed the community welfare officer.Then waited till 11am only to be told that since I'm on illness benefit and still employed that the CWO can't do anything but that I should go to social welfare and ask for back to education allowance, rent allowance, housing benefits and/or invalidity pension only to be told very rudely that none of those apply to me.As per revenue's details both me and my girlfriend are registered to the same address but we never ever registered anywhere as a couple and she has been living in a different county for the last 10 months but that doesn't count for social welfare so I'm not entitled to anything as my girlfriend has a fulltime job. Even if I would tell them we have broken up they can't change that apparently and won't give me anything.She advised to go back to the Community Welfare officer next Thursday. Then it was 12noon already so on to citizens information who told me they can't do anything for me either.As I'm still employed and on illness benefit I do not qualify for back to eduction allowance or any other benefits.If I would quit my job I get nothing at all for 9 weeks so I would be without any income at all.if I would then go on Jobseekers benefit I have to be on it for 6 months before I'm entitled to anything.Asked about the medical card and about the GP visist card and the drugs payment scheme as well the prescription claim forms but none of these apply to me. So in the end I will have to do it all again next Thursday. The good thing though is that I found out my job is not allowed to ask me to come in every 2 weeks while sick and they are not allowed to ask me to repay any income paid in error by them

neemish

Ok so you have had your first sh1t experience with SW.

What are your doctors saying? do they think that you will be able to go back to work soon or are they willing to sign you out on long term illness?

Have you seen a psych in the HSE who would be able to get you to see the community mental health team? This is free so would save you some money.

flemishgael

neemish wrote: »

Ok so you have had your first sh1t experience with SW.

What are your doctors saying? do they think that you will be able to go back to work soon or are they willing to sign you out on long term illness?

Have you seen a psych in the HSE who would be able to get you to see the community mental health team? This is free so would save you some money.

The doctor agrees that I am not able to go back to work for a while.
If I wasn't depressed already today's experience makes me want to jump of a bridge or go on a killing spree (haven't decided yet what the best option is).
As long as I'm on illness benefit I get the€188 a week but apparently I'm not entitled to anything else so I would be better off if my job would fire me, which they won't and can't as I'm out sick.
I did not know HSE offer free psychiatric help. Will google that and see what I can find.
By now my only options seem to be to kill myself and leave my relatives with a nice death while in employment bonus paid by my employer (I believe it's 3 year salaries) or go on a massive killing spree and take out every social welfare officer in this country.

neemish

Look, I've been there. Was on disability for years. Am now back in full time employment, even though I have depression.
There are options, just not ones that we tend to like.

Like having to admit that maybe work won't be an option for a while and that you may have to go onto long term illness benefit. Like to get benefits may mean having also to move house, and into a place on your own so that you are not means tested off other people.

Take the rest of the day off from it. Have a cuppa, watch a movie, tell yourself I'm not going to worry about this today. This is for tomorrow. See if you can get an appointment with your CBT person. Go easy on yourself.

corner of hells

neemish wrote: »

Look, I've been there. Was on disability for years. Am now back in full time employment, even though I have depression.
There are options, just not ones that we tend to like.

Like having to admit that maybe work won't be an option for a while and that you may have to go onto long term illness benefit. Like to get benefits may mean having also to move house, and into a place on your own so that you are not means tested off other people.

Take the rest of the day off from it. Have a cuppa, watch a movie, tell yourself I'm not going to worry about this today. This is for tomorrow. See if you can get an appointment with your CBT person. Go easy on yourself.[/QUO

Good post.

corner of hells

neemish wrote: »

Look, I've been there. Was on disability for years. Am now back in full time employment, even though I have depression.
There are options, just not ones that we tend to like.

Like having to admit that maybe work won't be an option for a while and that you may have to go onto long term illness benefit. Like to get benefits may mean having also to move house, and into a place on your own so that you are not means tested off other people.

Take the rest of the day off from it. Have a cuppa, watch a movie, tell yourself I'm not going to worry about this today. This is for tomorrow. See if you can get an appointment with your CBT person. Go easy on yourself.

Good post.

flemishgael

neemish wrote: »

Look, I've been there. Was on disability for years. Am now back in full time employment, even though I have depression.
There are options, just not ones that we tend to like.

Like having to admit that maybe work won't be an option for a while and that you may have to go onto long term illness benefit. Like to get benefits may mean having also to move house, and into a place on your own so that you are not means tested off other people.

Take the rest of the day off from it. Have a cuppa, watch a movie, tell yourself I'm not going to worry about this today. This is for tomorrow. See if you can get an appointment with your CBT person. Go easy on yourself.

Thanks will do that.
Completely numb now anyway after a day of this.
Closing the curtains, making a big pot of tea and snuggle up on the couch.

locum-motion

flemishgael wrote: »

....Asked about the medical card and about the GP visist card and the drugs payment scheme as well the prescription claim forms but none of these apply to me...

Well, whoever told you that was wrong, for a start.

The only condition attached to the DPS is that you can't have a Medical Card. As in, by its very definition, you're entitled to either one or the other.

The_Conductor

locum-motion wrote: »

Well, whoever told you that was wrong, for a start.

The only condition attached to the DPS is that you can't have a Medical Card. As in, by its very definition, you're entitled to either one or the other.

You are correct, he may be entitled to it- but if he's spending 140 a month- its not going to help him, unfortunately.

OP- you might cut your medication bill if you try Healthwave in Dundrum- you need to start looking outside the box.

flemishgael

locum-motion wrote: »

Well, whoever told you that was wrong, for a start.

The only condition attached to the DPS is that you can't have a Medical Card. As in, by its very definition, you're entitled to either one or the other.

Since my last post things have gone a lot further backwards and I'm trying every day not to go out and kill people. I haven't done that so far and trying hard to tolerate people when I do leave the house.
I still haven't had any luck with a medical card or the DPS though.
Being send back and forth, back and forth.
Still have a big pile of these Prescription Claim forms but being told they are no good.
Vhi don't refund any of it either.
Now actually stopped my Vhi as I can't afford, cancelled Sky, cancelled my mobile and have to get wood from the forest on cold nights to heat the house.
Still living on €188 a week which means I'm not living but getting further into debt every week. Really have no clue how to claim anything and there is no help.
The community welfare officer is a joke and social welfare is even worse.
They are only there to make things difficult for people.
Is there any way to use these Prescription Claim Forms or should I just throw them away? The ones I have so far amount to almost €1100 over the last months. Is there any way I can claim any of that back ever?

The_Conductor

Keep the claim forms.
Once you go over 144 a month- you can send them to the DPS refund section.
Your pharmacist will have the details.

I don't understand how/why you haven't gotten a DPS card though? You're entitled to it. Using it only really benefits you once you go over the 144 a month (as you're charged the full price of the medication up to that point).

Alternatively- and as I suggested previously- Healthwave in Dundrum do an annual subscription service. You pay an annual fee- and then you qualify to purchase all medicines at the generic/UK price (rather than the obscene prices the Irish government has signed up to). In addition- they will fill up to 6 months worth of scripts in one go- and they're launching a delivery service nationwide (which presumably you'd have to pay extra for).

You do have options.

I know you're feeling down- and getting further and further into debt- we're all in the same boat. You're going the right road cancelling Sky and other subscriptions you can't afford- but if you're being slaughtered by your medication bill- something is seriously wrong.

Btw- if your sole income is 185 a week- I don't understand why/how you don't qualify for a means tested medical card (and other payments).

flemishgael

The_Conductor wrote: »

Keep the claim forms.
Once you go over 144 a month- you can send them to the DPS refund section.
Your pharmacist will have the details.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know how to do that as my pharmacist is not really helping at all.

The_Conductor wrote: »

I don't understand how/why you haven't gotten a DPS card though? You're entitled to it. Using it only really benefits you once you go over the 144 a month (as you're charged the full price of the medication up to that point).

I don't understand either. In the meantime I received my P45 but social welfare refuse to register me as unemployed as I am still on illness benefit and frankly not fit to go back to work. They refer to the HSE for the DPS or a medical card. The HSE quite simply wrote to contact the community welfare office and the community welfare officer sent me back to Social welfare.
Social welfare then advised me to contact Citizen Information who told me, just like you, I'm entitled to the DPS but that I need to contact the HSE for that.
I'm being sent round and around. By now I'm in huge debt and I have stopped the medication, I just can't afford it. It make the situation worse but I already can't pay telephone bills, sky, rent etc. The way it looks now I have a few more weeks before I'm homeless and in huge debt.

The_Conductor wrote: »

Alternatively- and as I suggested previously- Healthwave in Dundrum do an annual subscription service. You pay an annual fee- and then you qualify to purchase all medicines at the generic/UK price (rather than the obscene prices the Irish government has signed up to). In addition- they will fill up to 6 months worth of scripts in one go- and they're launching a delivery service nationwide (which presumably you'd have to pay extra for).

I agree that service would be useful but I can't afford it.

You do have options.

The_Conductor wrote: »

I know you're feeling down- and getting further and further into debt- we're all in the same boat. You're going the right road cancelling Sky and other subscriptions you can't afford- but if you're being slaughtered by your medication bill- something is seriously wrong.

I tried to cancel sky and was told I can only do so if I pay a cancellation fee which I can't afford either. I'm currently repaying O2 and Sky as they sent it to their collection departments already.

The_Conductor wrote: »

Btw- if your sole income is 185 a week- I don't understand why/how you don't qualify for a means tested medical card (and other payments).

Totally agree but the different government agencies see that differently. Frankly, they are all very rude and refuse to talk to you and if they do they seem to do everything to get rid of you as soon as they can.
I've been doing some translations in the meantime and I don't pay tax on them as far as I know so I expect revenue to knock on the door at some point.