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Crohns - Medical Card for Teenager

  • 22-01-2019 3:30pm
    #1
    BobMc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭


    Hi All

    have a young lad 14 heading towards 15, diagnosed with Crohns in Autumn 2017, anyone have any success applying for medical card. We dont want one
    for all of us, just himself any suggestions regards application.

    We did hold medical cards about 10years ago, had two kids in full time creche etc. that and mortgage and lower wages had us under limit.

    No chance of them now for us which is fine but for the long term illness would be some comfort and relief. I know its not listed on long term illness list and the debate about it being included has come up in political circles but no moving on it yet


Comments

  • #2
    locum-motion
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    Eligibility for Medical Cards is (almost completely*) based on financial reasons, not medical.

    That is; either the family's entitled to it (in which case all of the family gets a card) or they're not (in which case none of the family get one).

    (*: I say 'almost completely' because there is some different rule for a person diagnosed with cancer - They seem to get one regardless of financial means and in those cases it is just the patient themselves, not the whole family. There MIGHT be some other exceptions that I'm unaware of, but I don't think so)


  • #3
    Nigel Fairservice
    Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 2,322 Mod ✭✭✭✭Nigel Fairservice


    I'd imagine if you pass the means test there is not much hope of getting one. I have a serious enough long term illness mentioned on the LTI scheme and I didn't even bother applying for one because I'd pass the means test. You can always apply and see what they'd say I suppose.


  • #4
    kellso81
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 307 ✭✭kellso81


    Nigel Fairservice wrote: »
    I have a serious enough long term illness mentioned on the LTI scheme and I didn't even bother applying for one because I'd pass the means test.


    LTI scheme is in no way linked to means. If you have one of the conditions listed you'll get an LTI book no matter what your income.


  • #5
    Nigel Fairservice
    Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 2,322 Mod ✭✭✭✭Nigel Fairservice


    kellso81 wrote: »
    Nigel Fairservice wrote: »
    I have a serious enough long term illness mentioned on the LTI scheme and I didn't even bother applying for one because I'd pass the means test.


    LTI scheme is in no way linked to means. If you have one of the conditions listed you'll get an LTI book no matter what your income.

    Should have said that I do have a LTI book but I don't have a medical card and don't think I'd qualify for one given that I'd pass the means test for it. My LTI book covers my illness and anything caused by my illness only. I have to pay for being generally sick, LTI doesn't cover it.


  • #6
    mickmac76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭mickmac76


    It is possible to get a medical card even if your income is above the limits allowed but it depends on the condition. My income was above the limits but I have motor neuron disease which is pretty much terminal but with a life expectancy of about 5 years so with a serious illness like that or something like cancer the income limits are usually ignored. You would need a letter from your doctor or preferably from a consultant that explains how serious the condition is. It definitely is worth applying as they can only say no.
    Also search the Internet for any Irish based charity that helps people with the disease and get in contact with them. They might know of any help you are entitled to. Finally keep all your receipts for medical costs such as doctor visits or pharmacy bills. You can apply to the revenue for tax returns at the end of the year. Also if you have medical insurance they may pay for some treatments.


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  • #7
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Nigel Fairservice wrote: »
    I'd imagine if you pass the means test there is not much hope of getting one. I have a serious enough long term illness mentioned on the LTI scheme and I didn't even bother applying for one because I'd pass the means test. You can always apply and see what they'd say I suppose.

    The LTI scheme is very different from the medical card though.
    It has a list of conditions which were drawn up back in the mists of time (I think in the 70s sometime). If you're lucky enough to have one of the conditions- you get free prescriptions specific to the condition (but no other illnesses)- you still pay for GP visits etc and hospitalisation is the same as anyone else (the 80 quid per visit- unless you have a GP referral etc).

    The LTI scheme is not comparable with a medical card- and its really murkying the water even mentioning them in the same sentence- they're entirely different schemes with very little in common with one another.

    OP- if you contact the UC and Crohn's Society- they have helped make cases on behalf of junior members in the past- some successful, some not- they might be in a position to guide you.


  • #8
    BobMc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭BobMc


    As I said originally we could start a huge debate about LTI and whats on or not on the list, a list created in the 70's is way beyond whats current, I'd be happy with some kind of LTI benefit, this is going to be a lifelong illness needing treatment constantly, We wont pass the means test,

    LTI or a Medical card for the young man is all we really need. Its manageable at the moment but does eat into finances,
    its something you've now got to budget for now on a monthly basis (forever) with no end in sight, thankfully he's well
    and doing good, its long term now we're looking towards


  • #9
    locum-motion
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,143 ✭✭✭locum-motion


    BobMc wrote: »
    ...

    LTI or a Medical card for the young man is all we really need...
    (My Emphasis)

    Don't know why you're even still talking about this, given that others have explained and you yourself have acknowledged that the LTI Scheme does not apply here.


  • #10
    Nigel Fairservice
    Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 2,322 Mod ✭✭✭✭Nigel Fairservice


    The_Conductor wrote: »
    The LTI scheme is very different from the medical card though.
    It has a list of conditions which were drawn up back in the mists of time (I think in the 70s sometime). If you're lucky enough to have one of the conditions- you get free prescriptions specific to the condition (but no other illnesses)- you still pay for GP visits etc and hospitalisation is the same as anyone else (the 80 quid per visit- unless you have a GP referral etc).

    The LTI scheme is not comparable with a medical card- and its really murkying the water even mentioning them in the same sentence- they're entirely different schemes with very little in common with one another.

    OP- if you contact the UC and Crohn's Society- they have helped make cases on behalf of junior members in the past- some successful, some not- they might be in a position to guide you.

    I only brought up the LTI scheme as it was mentioned in the first post (medical card in thread title, medical card and long term illness also both referenced in the first post). From my reading/interpretation of the first post the op seems to have expressed an interest in both schemes, LTI and medical card. An interest in both schemes was explicitly acknowledged by the op in a follow up post (as highlighted by locum-motion above). Just trying to explain my reasoning for bringing it up in the first place.

    I outlined that LTI is illnes specific and having a LTI qualifying illness still does not automatically qualify you for a medical card (in case anyone was under the impression that it does). Obtaining a medical card is means based in most cases. I imagine there is room for discretion in some cases. I have multiple sclerosis. It qualified me for a LTI book but not a medical card (as I would pass the means test). I pay for any illness I have outside of my MS.
    BobMc wrote: »
    As I said originally we could start a huge debate about LTI and whats on or not on the list, a list created in the 70's is way beyond whats current, I'd be happy with some kind of LTI benefit, this is going to be a lifelong illness needing treatment constantly, We wont pass the means test,

    LTI or a Medical card for the young man is all we really need. Its manageable at the moment but does eat into finances,
    its something you've now got to budget for now on a monthly basis (forever) with no end in sight, thankfully he's well
    and doing good, its long term now we're looking towards

    Your son doesn't qualify for LTI (what counts as a qualifying illness is a debate for another day) and on the face of it doesn't qualify for a medical card either due to means. My advice is to apply for the medical card anyway (in conjunction with the Crohn's society, as suggested by The Conductor) and submit as much evidence of monthly outgoings as possible and see how you get on. All the best with it.


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