In order to provide services to medical card (GMS) patients, a GP must hold a GMS contract issued by the HSE. Medical card patients are registered with a general practitioner of their choice who has a centre of practice within 10 miles of their home. Patient entitlement to general medical services (GMS)/a medical card is means (income) tested.

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Medical Card holders are entitled to:

• GP services & prescription drugs free of charge

• A public bed in a public ward

• Free hospital consultant care, medications & investigations

• Free A&E attendance

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Doctor Visit Cards

Doctor Visit Card holders are entitled to the services of a GP free of charge (i.e. the same GP services as a medical card holder). 

Prescribed drugs are not free but may be covered by the Drugs Payment Scheme.

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Capitation and STCs are treated in the same way for GMS and DVC patients. DVCs are counted in panel numbers for entitlements and grants, unless otherwise stated (e.g. social deprivation grant only counts GMS cards).

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The DVC contract is open to all eligible GPs, a GMS contract is not a requirement.

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Anyone can apply for a Doctor Visit Card or a Medical Card, families, single people and even those working full time. The Doctor Visit Card is means tested. One application form is now used for both Medical Cards and Doctor Visit Cards. The HSE will assess each application for a full medical card in the first instance and then for Doctor visit card. Application forms are available in Local Health Office.

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GP Agreement 2023

The process of extending eligibility to individuals and families whose annual reckonable earnings do not exceed the median income (and to all children aged between 6 and 7 years, see here) commenced on a phased basis in 2023. The weekly income limit for the GP visit card was increased in two phases, first on 11 September 2023 and again on 13 November 2023. Weekly income thresholds for everyone over and under 66 has been the same from 11 September 2023.

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Department of Health modelling indicated that approximately 340,000 individuals were likely to take up eligibility for a Doctor Only Visit Card under the expansion of care to those earning no more than the median income. This number is in addition to the estimated 78,000 children who it is projected would become eligible under the expansion of care to all children aged 6 and 7 who will receive GMS services in accordance with the terms of the Form of Agreement with Registered Medical Practitioners for the Provision of GMS Services to Child Patients Aged Under 8 Years.

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