Ireland health care system questions.?

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Priscilla Duck

Hi Lexie, I lived away for a number of years and when I came back I simply registered with a General Practitioner (it costs about 50Eur every visit). You need an address and a PPS number (Social Security number - you may still have one of these from when you lived here before).

If you need a specialist, they will then refer you on within the public health services. The wait time varies depending on the nature of your illness and on where you live. Wait times can be slower for public patients than for private patients, but again it depends on the nature and severity of your illness. The one time I had a serious illness I had to wait 6 weeks for my results to come back, but once they did, I was admitted to hospital the following day and had the procedure carried out within 3 days (as a public patient).

And, of course, using the public system is free. If you do not have a medical card, you are entitled to free public hospital services (including all the ones you listed above) but will have to pay for GP visits (EUR 50-ish) and emergency hospital admissions (EUR 60). You are also entitled to subsidised prescribed drugs and you may be entitled to free or subsidised community care. If you return here long term and are in tight financial circumstances, you may be eligible for a medical card, in which case doctor visits are also free.

The citizens information website says the following in relation to entitlement to health care services:

"If you are living in Ireland - the legal term is ordinarily resident, you are entitled to a range of health services that are free of charge or subsidised by the Irish Government.

Entitlement to health services in Ireland is mainly based on residency and means, rather than on your payment of tax or pay-related social insurance (PRSI). Broadly speaking, if you are living here and intend to continue to live here for at least a year, you will be considered to be ordinarily resident.

If you are taking up residence in Ireland or returning here to live, you would be regarded as ordinarily resident in Ireland if you satisfy your Health Service Executive (HSE) that it is your intention to remain in Ireland for "a minimum of one year".

To establish that a person is ordinarily resident the HSE may require:

* Proof of property purchase or rental, including evidence that the property in question is the person's principal residence.
* Evidence of transfer of funds, bank accounts, pensions etc.
* A residence permit or visa.
* A work permit or visa, statements from employers etc.
* In some instances, the signing of an affidavit (a sworn written statement) by the applicant"

No problems there for you.

People living in cities generally have better access to services than those of us down the country, as there are higher concentrations of services and consultants in the city areas. If you're returning to Ireland solely to access the healthcare services, I highly recommend you move close to the hospital you wish to attend, as this will save on transport costs and needing to travel when you feel like crap.

I know I continually slag off the health services here, but the system is certainly better than in the US.

PS - I hope you make a full recovery!

If you're a citizen then you will be treated the same as any other citizen. It wont matter that you've been living away for 22 years.

I have no idea how long it would take because you have to come and see a doctor here first and they will decide what you need to be referred fro etc. It would be a good idea to get your notes and files from whatever doctors you've been seeing where you live.

You will be a public patient so all you will have to pay is hospital charges you can read about them here
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/hospital-services/hospital_charges

VHI is health insurance which is good to have. You can go semi private with it and move up waiting lists faster. However you should check before you get it whether or not they will be covered, because they dont give cover for pre-existing conditions.

Podge and Rodge Tribute Band

If we were you, we'd stay where you are. The Irish healthcare system is in a shockin state altogether. It's run by a load of pen-pushers who wouldn't know a thermometer from a tommy gun.

Orla C

I'm with the VHI, and I had similar issues and was dealt with very quickly as a semi-private patient 15 years ago. I would go private if I were you, on one of the non-government health care schemes.

Rikitikitavi

What country do you reside in now? Are you a citizen of Ireland?

BoB

when your dead they cut u up very quickly might b best to wait

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