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Losing my medical card

  • 15-09-2019 07:10PM
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 53 ✭✭


    I'm a little over minimum wage and coming out with less than 400euro a week.

    I only see a doctor about two or three times a year when I really have to. A doctor's visit with a prescription will now cost me at least 100 euro.

    Seriously, how so people manage with paying rent, bills and all the other expenses. Owning a house is a dream.

    No doubt the people on the dole will get another handout with the next budget.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,677 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    You may qualify for a GP only card, sitll. Apply and see.

    Possibly shop around for a cheaper GP, a consult shouldn't be more than 60. Script may be expensive, depending on what you need - always ask for a generic if threre is one.

    And make sure you're on the council housing list. On a low wage, you aren't expected to buy a house.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,652 ✭✭✭AulWan


    Check if you are eligible for a GP visit card. At least then all you have to pay for are prescriptions, when needed.

    Apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card, in case of very expensive prescriptions.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,898 ✭✭✭✭Ken.


    Mod-Moved from AH to the state benefits forum. Read the local charter before posting.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 687 ✭✭✭Portsalon


    And don't forget to claim the 20% PAYE refund on GP visits and prescription charges.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,003 ✭✭✭EverythingGood


    Portsalon wrote: »
    And don't forget to claim the 20% PAYE refund on GP visits and prescription charges.

    Don't think you can get tax relief on prescriptions


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,934 ✭✭✭✭fin12


    Don't think you can get tax relief on prescriptions

    Yes u can.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Don't think you can get tax relief on prescriptions

    You certainly can.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,003 ✭✭✭EverythingGood


    You certainly can.

    Cheers, did not know that. Thought it only applied to actual visits


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,436 ✭✭✭dartboardio


    As someone said above.. Shop around for a cheaper GP.

    When I was without my medical card I found a walk in GP in waterford where I live that had a student rate of €40 and a normal rate €50.

    Also if you have any outgoings even public transport tickets, you can add them as outgoings for a reassessment.

    Obviously rent to family members isn't taken into account but even if you're renting or house sharing, put that down as an outgoing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 687 ✭✭✭Portsalon


    Cheers, did not know that. Thought it only applied to actual visits

    Just to clarify, by "prescription charges" I mean the cost of the prescribed drugs.

    People can't (or shouldn't!) claim tax relief on non-prescription medicines purchased over the counter, like asprins or cough mixture.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,418 ✭✭✭antix80


    Correct me if I'm wrong.. but may still qualify for a medical card depending on your outgoings - rent and transport to work - if those expenses put you under the threshold.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,436 ✭✭✭dartboardio


    Exactly, if you add your rent and transport to work whether by car or bus. Put proof in.

    Driving to work is calculated at 0.18c per km and comes to a weekly fighre


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 53 ✭✭black_and_blue


    Taking rent out from what I earn, I'm only 3euro above the limit for a GP card.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,418 ✭✭✭antix80


    A year?
    Either ask for a paycut or pay more rent


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,652 ✭✭✭AulWan


    Taking rent out from what I earn, I'm only 3euro above the limit for a GP card.


    Have you taken out travel to work costs?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,436 ✭✭✭dartboardio


    Have you actually applied or are you doing your own calculations?

    The wages may be calculated at less or more than your net pay each week as they would be calculated by using gross pay minus tax divided by 52.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,816 ✭✭✭lulu1


    You may qualify for a GP only card, sitll. Apply and see.

    Possibly shop around for a cheaper GP, a consult shouldn't be more than 60. Script may be expensive, depending on what you need - always ask for a generic if threre is one.

    And make sure you're on the council housing list. On a low wage, you aren't expected to buy a house.

    Dont think op should ask for generic medication as I take meds regularly and i told the chemist on many occasions that i wont accept generic


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,822 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    lulu1 wrote: »
    Dont think op should ask for generic medication as I take meds regularly and i told the chemist on many occasions that i wont accept generic

    Why not?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,652 ✭✭✭AulWan


    lulu1 wrote: »
    Dont think op should ask for generic medication as I take meds regularly and i told the chemist on many occasions that i wont accept generic

    If you're on a low wage and paying the full cost out of your own pocket then generics can save a lot of money. Shop around too, as some pharmacy chains are complete rip-offs.

    When the State is supplying meds on the GMS scheme at a flat €2 per item, I think generic should be dispensed where they exist. If the patient wants the branded version of a generic instead, they should be offered the option to pay the price difference out of their own pocket.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Rodin


    I'm a little over minimum wage and coming out with less than 400euro a week.

    I only see a doctor about two or three times a year when I really have to. A doctor's visit with a prescription will now cost me at least 100 euro.

    Seriously, how so people manage with paying rent, bills and all the other expenses. Owning a house is a dream.

    No doubt the people on the dole will get another handout with the next budget.

    400 a week NET ?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,595 ✭✭✭adam88


    lulu1 wrote: »
    Dont think op should ask for generic medication as I take meds regularly and i told the chemist on many occasions that i wont accept generic

    That is absolutely crazy talk. Your obviously getting them for free. That attitude boils my blood. They’re all exactly the same


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Rodin


    adam88 wrote: »
    That is absolutely crazy talk. Your obviously getting them for free. That attitude boils my blood. They’re all exactly the same

    That isn't true.
    The active ingredient may be similar but the chemical composition of the remainder is often different


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,595 ✭✭✭adam88


    Rodin wrote: »
    That isn't true.
    The active ingredient may be similar but the chemical composition of the remainder is often different

    The medication still does exactly what it’s meant to do for the disease it’s prescribed for. Yes there might be a difference in after taste or something but it still does the same thing


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Rodin


    adam88 wrote: »
    The medication still does exactly what it’s meant to do for the disease it’s prescribed for. Yes there might be a difference in after taste or something but it still does the same thing

    The other components can cause other side effects


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,595 ✭✭✭adam88


    Rodin wrote: »
    That isn't true.
    The active ingredient may be similar but the chemical composition of the remainder is often different

    The medication still does exactly what it’s meant to do for the disease it’s prescribed for. Yes there might be a difference in after taste or something but it still does the same thing


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Rodin


    adam88 wrote: »
    The medication still does exactly what it’s meant to do for the disease it’s prescribed for. Yes there might be a difference in after taste or something but it still does the same thing

    The other components can cause allergic reactions.
    Therefore, you're not going to take the generic again.
    Doesn't matter if the active ingredient is same in this scenario.

    The pills are NOT identical when compared


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,595 ✭✭✭adam88


    Rodin wrote: »
    The other components can cause allergic reactions.
    Therefore, you're not going to take the generic again.
    Doesn't matter if the active ingredient is same in this scenario.

    The pills are NOT identical when compared

    Those case are very very very rare I’m sure and most people just demand the branded products cause they’re getting them for next to nothing


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,348 ✭✭✭irishgrover


    I've had this conversation with my wife on many occasions. She was a formulations scientist. Specifically she designed the formulations that make up the tablets, liquids whatever that deliver the active drug to the patient. According to her, there is a difference, and it can and does have an impact on the timing and effectiveness of the delivery of the key ingredient. However it tends to be limited, and it does not follow that the generic has worse formulations, often they are better

    *Postscript: we always ask for generic


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 53 ✭✭black_and_blue


    Rodin wrote: »
    400 a week NET ?

    Less than 400. It really isn't all that much.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 327 ✭✭wifey28


    adam88 wrote: »
    Those case are very very very rare I’m sure and most people just demand the branded products cause they’re getting them for next to nothing




    Ive actually had a reaction to generic meds two different times, and a third time I found that the generic wasnt as effective as the actual brand i had been taking.



    One med gave me a horrid rash that only cleared when i stpped taking it, another made me horridly sick.
    And the one that didnt work was a sedative/ssri, that i had been on for several months so we knew it was working and for the one month i took a generic it didnt work at all, myanxiety was thru the roof and ibarely slept all month, first night back on branded, almsot zero anxiety and i slept.


    Even my gp agrees that generics are not the same, and can cause issues for people inthe long term, especially in meds for mental illness as some are jsut simply not as effective


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