Long Term Illness Card Ireland: Conditions, Benefits & Guide

If you’re living with a chronic condition in Ireland, one of the first questions you’ll hear is: “Do you have a medical card?” But there’s another scheme that often flies under the radar — the Long-Term Illness Card.

Covered conditions: 16 ·
Processing time: 4–6 weeks ·
Income limit: None ·
GP visits covered: No ·
Cost to patient: Free (drugs and appliances)

One pattern: the Long-Term Illness Scheme is narrowly targeted — it covers only 16 conditions, but within those it offers full drug cost coverage with no means test.

What illnesses qualify for a long-term illness card?

List of the 16 covered conditions

• Diabetes mellitus (Citizens Information)
• Diabetes insipidus (Citizens Information)
• Epilepsy (Citizens Information)
• Cystic fibrosis (Citizens Information)
• Multiple sclerosis (Citizens Information)
• Parkinsonism (Citizens Information)
• Haemophilia (Citizens Information)
• Cerebral palsy (Citizens Information)
• Spina bifida (Citizens Information)
• Muscular dystrophies (Citizens Information)
• Hydrocephalus (Citizens Information)
• Phenylketonuria (Citizens Information)
• Mental handicap (with associated behavioural problems) (Citizens Information)
• Pneumonia (in children under 16) (Citizens Information)
• Leukaemia (Citizens Information)
• Cancer (any type) (Citizens Information)

What is an example of a long term illness?

Any condition that is chronic and listed above qualifies. For example, a person diagnosed with multiple sclerosis can apply for the card and receive free medications for that condition. The scheme does not cover temporary illnesses or acute episodes — it is designed for ongoing, long-term management.

How to confirm your condition is eligible

Check the official HSE list of 16 conditions. If your condition is not on the list, you cannot get the Long-Term Illness Card, even if your doctor considers it long-term. The list is statutory and only updated by legislation. If you hold a Medical Card, you may already have broader coverage, but the LTI card is a separate entitlement for those who don’t qualify for a Medical Card.

Sixteen conditions, one pattern: the list is fixed and narrow. The implication: if your chronic condition isn’t on the list, you’ll need to rely on the Drugs Payment Scheme or a Medical Card instead.

How long does a long-term illness card take?

Typical processing timeline (4–6 weeks)

The HSE states that processing time is usually 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application (Citizens Information). The clock starts when the HSE receives your signed form along with a medical report from your GP or consultant.

Factors that can delay the application

• Incomplete forms or missing documentation (HSE)
• Incorrect PPS number or missing proof of residency
• Delays in the GP submitting the medical report
• High volume of applications — processing times can stretch beyond 6 weeks during peak periods

What to do if you haven’t received your card

If you haven’t heard back after 6 weeks, contact the HSE Client Registration Unit. You can call 0818 224 478 or check the HSE online portal for status. Have your application reference number and PPS number ready.

The pattern: Most delays are due to incomplete documentation. Patients should double-check their forms before submission.

What am I entitled to with a long-term illness card?

Free drugs and medicines for the covered condition

The card covers the full cost of approved drugs and medicines directly related to the treatment of the qualifying condition (Citizens Information). This includes prescription medications that your GP or consultant prescribes for that specific illness. You can use the card at any participating pharmacy in Ireland — no monthly cap or deductible.

Medical and surgical appliances included

Appliances such as insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors, nebulisers, and other equipment needed to manage the condition are also covered. The HSE provides a list of approved appliances under the scheme (HSE).

What is NOT covered: GP visits, hospital stays, over-the-counter products

• GP consultation fees — you still pay for each visit
• Hospital charges — inpatient or outpatient stays are not covered
• Over-the-counter medications — only prescription items are included
• Treatment for other conditions — the card is condition-specific

What this means: The LTI card covers only drugs for the specific condition, not broader medical costs. Patients need to combine with other schemes.

Is Ozempic available on a long-term illness card?

Ozempic and the LTI scheme: current status

Ozempic (semaglutide) is approved for type 2 diabetes, which is a covered condition under the LTI scheme. However, the HSE may restrict coverage to specific formulations or require prior approval. According to the HSE, not all drugs for a covered condition are automatically included — the manufacturer must have a pricing agreement with the HSE. As of 2025, Ozempic is reimbursed for type 2 diabetes, but only when prescribed for that indication, not for weight loss.

What organ is Ozempic hard on?

Ozempic can affect the kidneys and pancreas. Patients should discuss risks with their doctor. The HSE advises monitoring kidney function and watching for signs of pancreatitis. If you are on the LTI card and prescribed Ozempic, your pharmacist will dispense it at no cost provided the HSE has approved it for your condition.

Alternatives if Ozempic is not covered

• Other GLP-1 receptor agonists like Trulicity (dulaglutide) may be covered
• DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., Januvia) are typically on the HSE reimbursement list
• Insulin and metformin remain first-line treatments and are covered

The implication: Not all drugs for a covered condition are automatically reimbursed. Patients should verify coverage with their pharmacist.

How to check the progress of application for long illness card?

Using the HSE online status checker

The HSE provides an online portal to check application status at hse.ie. You will need your application reference number and Personal Public Service (PPS) number. The portal shows whether the application is received, being processed, or approved.

Contacting the HSE by phone or email

You can call the HSE Client Registration Unit at 0818 224 478. Alternatively, email the unit using the contact form on the HSE website. Have your PPS number and date of birth ready for verification.

What information you need to track your application

• Application reference number (provided when you submitted the form)
• PPS number
• Full name and date of birth
• Address used on the application

If the application is delayed beyond 6 weeks, contact the HSE directly. Incomplete or missing medical reports are the most common cause of delays.

Timeline signal

• Week 1: Submit completed application form to HSE
• Weeks 2–5: HSE reviews application and verifies condition with GP
• Week 6: Card issued and posted to applicant

The pattern: most delays happen at the GP verification stage. If your GP is slow to respond, expect the full 6 weeks or more.

Confirmed facts

• The LTI scheme covers 16 specific conditions listed on the HSE website (Citizens Information)
• No income test is required (Citizens Information)
• Application is free (HSE)

What’s unclear

• Exact processing time varies by region and completeness of application
• Whether Ozempic is automatically covered or requires special approval
• Future expansion to additional conditions

“The Long-Term Illness Scheme provides free drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of a qualifying condition.”

Citizens Information (Ireland’s official public service information website)

“To qualify, a person must be ordinarily resident in Ireland, meaning they are living here and intend to live here for at least one year.”

Citizens Information

“The HSE says the Long-Term Illness Scheme card is available to people living in Ireland who intend to live here for at least one year.”

HSE (Health Service Executive Ireland)

“The HSE instructs applicants to include a medical report from a GP or consultant with the application.”

HSE

For patients managing a chronic condition, the Long-Term Illness Card is a valuable safety net — but only if your condition is on the list. The scheme’s biggest gap is what it doesn’t cover: GP visits, hospital stays, and conditions outside the 16. If you don’t qualify for the LTI card, consider the Drugs Payment Scheme, which caps monthly drug costs at €80 per family. For those who do qualify, the card means zero out-of-pocket costs for essential medications. The choice is clear: check the list first, apply with a complete form, and follow up at week 5. For the thousands of Irish patients with diabetes, epilepsy, or cancer, the LTI card can save hundreds of euros a year — but only if you know it exists.

Frequently asked questions

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