Medical Card---how long does it take to get one?

Klingon Hamlet

I applied for mine well over a month ago and have yet to hear anything back. I rang my local Health Office and they had a recorded message stating they only take calls 9am-1pm.

So do any of you know, roughly what the waiting time is for receiving one?

Thanks in advance.

dave_t

I applied in February and still haven't received mine.

mojesius

it depends if they need more paperwork off you or not (and they usually take a few weeks to let you know thsi). My mam recently got hers after three weeks, after all the required documents were sent in. Hope that helps

mojesius

Oops, I hit the lightbulb by accident there. i didn't think my post was that helpful!:)

edellc

i applied beginning of nov last year and got it in april this year so nearly six months and the card is dated from march this year to march next
only way i ended up getting it was to go into their office in dublin and ask them as they werent answering their phone they ended up giving me a letter to say it was approved and about two weeks later the actual card came

Klingon Hamlet

I rang today and was told there's a 13 week backlog.

captainstacy

I applied online and had it within 10 days.

Pablo Sanchez

Applied in March, got the go ahead today, 5 mth turnaround. HSE website says you can now do it online and have your card in 15 working days.

sassychick

Just in case any1 doesnt know if you have a long term illness and require regular prescriptions u can get a letter from your doctor and this speeds up the process i got mine within 10 days..

notsobusy

I've just applied for a medical card and am entitled to one as I have no income at present and waiting for JSA to come through.

My question is that I have to go to the Dr this week and have to get a prescription(have a long term illness). Do I still have to pay for visit? or do I pay and then claim it back?

I didn't know I could apply for a medical card until recently.

The_Conductor

Delays have been ongoing since processing the medical cards was centralised. You can get your GP to check the status of your application online now though. Minister Harney gave a guarantee of (I think) a 6 week turnaround last week (though obviously there is a mad backlog to clear).

S.

skp120

It took mine four months

skp120

notsobusy wrote: »

I've just applied for a medical card and am entitled to one as I have no income at present and waiting for JSA to come through.

My question is that I have to go to the Dr this week and have to get a prescription(have a long term illness). Do I still have to pay for visit? or do I pay and then claim it back?

I didn't know I could apply for a medical card until recently.

as far as I know you have to pay. I applied for mine in feb and during that time had 5 doctors visits, lots of prescriptions, etc had to pay for it all myself

notsobusy

Ok Thanks Skp120!

GerardKeating

captainstacy wrote: »

I applied online and had it within 10 days.

Also applied on line, got the cards back in a week.

notsobusy

When you applied online did you have to bring the forms into your Dr and have them signed and then send them off?

Or did you just apply online and that was it!!