Long Term Illness Card: Conditions, Benefits & How to Apply

Anyone managing a chronic condition in Ireland knows that medication costs add up quickly. The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Card offers a direct way to cut those costs for a fixed set of 16 conditions, with no income check and no renewal needed, so let’s walk through exactly who qualifies, what you get, and how to apply.

Approved conditions covered: 16 specific chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, asthma, epilepsy) ·
Cost to the cardholder: Free drugs, medicines, and medical appliances for the listed condition ·
Application requirement: GP signature confirming the diagnosis ·
Scheme administrator: Health Service Executive (HSE) Ireland

The five key facts below summarise the scheme’s core parameters.

What illnesses qualify for a long-term illness card?

The HSE Long-Term Illness Scheme covers exactly 16 specific conditions, as listed on the HSE website (the official scheme page). These are chronic or lifelong diseases that require ongoing treatment. The list is fixed by legislation and has not been expanded in recent years.

List of the 16 approved conditions under the Irish LTI Scheme

• Acute leukaemia
• Cerebral palsy
• Cystic fibrosis
• Diabetes insipidus
• Diabetes mellitus (excluding gestational diabetes)
• Epilepsy
• Haemophilia
• Hydrocephalus
• Intellectual disability
• Mental illness for people under 16 years
• Muscular dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinsonism
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Spina bifida
• Thalidomide-related conditions

Source: HSE.ie – Long-Term Illness Scheme conditions

Criteria for adding new conditions

The list is set out in the Health Act 1970 and subsequent regulations. New conditions are not routinely added; any expansion requires a legislative change. Citizens Information notes that the Department of Health periodically reviews the list, but no recent additions have been announced.

Difference between LTI and general chronic illness definitions

The LTI scheme uses a statutory list rather than a clinical definition. Many chronic illnesses, such as arthritis or heart disease, are not included even though they are lifelong. The card explicitly covers only the treatment of the listed condition – not unrelated ailments the patient may have.

Takeaway: The LTI card covers treatment only for 16 statutory conditions. Anyone with a condition outside that list must look to other schemes for help.

Who is entitled to a Long-Term Illness card?

Entitlement is based on diagnosis, not income. You must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and have one of the 16 approved conditions diagnosed by a medical professional.

Residency and age requirements

Ordinary residence means you are living in Ireland and intend to stay for at least one year. There is no age limit – children can hold the card in their own name, the HSE confirms.

Persons with a diagnosed approved condition

Any person with a confirmed diagnosis of one of the listed conditions qualifies. No means test is applied – the card is granted solely on medical grounds.

Children and dependents

Parents can apply on behalf of a child under 16. The child’s GP must sign the form confirming the diagnosis. The card is issued in the child’s name.

Eligibility check: Diagnosis required · Income test: None · Age: All ages

The implication: the card is solely a medicines pass, not a general health card. For broad coverage, a medical card remains necessary.

How to apply for the Long-Term Illness card?

The application process is straightforward. You need the LTI 1 form, a GP signature, and proof of identity and residency.

Step-by-step application process

1. Get the form. Download LTI 1 from the HSE website or pick up a paper copy at your GP’s office or local health centre.
2. Visit your GP. Your GP must sign the form to confirm your diagnosis of an approved condition. There may be a fee for the GP appointment.
3. Complete your details. Fill in your personal information, address, and attach a copy of your photo ID (passport or driver’s licence).
4. Submit the form. Send the signed form to your Local Health Office or post it to the HSE address provided on the form. You can also submit it online if your area supports the digital service.

Required documents: GP confirmation, ID, application form

• Completed and signed LTI 1 form
• GP’s signature confirming the diagnosis
• Proof of identity (passport, driving licence, or public services card)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)

Where to submit the application

Applications can be submitted to your Local Health Office (LHO) or posted to the central HSE processing unit in Dublin. The HSE application page provides the full address list.

Expected processing time

Most applications are processed within 2–4 weeks, though delays can occur if the GP signature is incomplete or documents are missing. Citizens Information advises that you should receive a card in the post once approved. No fee is charged for applying.

Action: The applicant completes Form LTI 1 with GP confirmation and submits it to the HSE, typically receiving the card within a month.

What are the benefits of a long-term illness card?

The main benefit is free medications and medical appliances for the treatment of the listed condition. This can save hundreds of euros per month for people requiring expensive ongoing drugs.

Free drugs and medicines for the approved condition

The LTI card entitles you to any prescription medicine prescribed specifically for the treatment of your approved condition. This covers both branded and generic drugs. The HSE states that the cost is fully covered by the scheme – you do not pay at the pharmacy.

Free medical and surgical appliances

Appliances such as syringes, needles, blood glucose monitors, and incontinence wear that are directly related to the condition are also provided free. The HSE’s list of approved appliances is available from your GP or local health office.

What is NOT covered under the scheme

• GP visit fees – the card does not include free GP care.
• Hospital charges – both inpatient and outpatient public hospital fees are not covered.
• Treatments for any other condition – even if you have a listed condition, unrelated prescriptions are charged normally.
• Over-the-counter medicines – even if recommended by your doctor, they are not covered unless prescribed.

The pattern is clear: the LTI card zeroes out medication costs for the listed condition but leaves primary care expenses untouched.

Does the Long-Term Illness card cover GP visits?

No. The LTI card specifically covers medications and appliances, not doctor visits. Citizens Information is clear on this point. You will still pay the standard GP visit fee unless you hold a medical card or GP visit card.

GP visit fees and the LTI card

Each GP practice sets its own fees. Some GPs offer reduced rates for LTI cardholders as a goodwill gesture, but this is not guaranteed by the scheme. Always ask your practice if they have a discount policy for LTI patients.

Alternatives: medical card, GP visit card

If you need free GP care, you can apply for a medical card (means-tested, covers all conditions) or a GP visit card (means-tested, covers GP visits only). Note that holding an LTI card does not affect your eligibility for these other schemes.

When a GP visit may be covered indirectly

If your GP visit is to renew a prescription for an LTI-covered condition, the visit fee is still charged. The only indirect relief is that the prescription itself costs nothing once issued.

Verdict: The LTI card does not cover GP fees. Patients needing free GP care must obtain a medical or GP visit card separately.

What’s clear and what’s unclear about the LTI scheme

What people are saying about the LTI scheme

“The Long-Term Illness Scheme covers free drugs and medicines for the treatment of certain conditions.”

– HSE website, About the Long-Term Illness Scheme

“The scheme does not cover GP visits or hospital charges.”

– Citizens Information, Long-Term Illness Scheme page

The official guidance consistently emphasises the card’s narrow scope: it is a medicines-only benefit, not a comprehensive health cover.

Summary

The Long-Term Illness Card is a targeted tool for Irish residents with one of 16 chronic conditions. It eliminates medication costs for that specific diagnosis, but leaves GP fees and hospital charges untouched. For anyone with a listed condition, applying is free and straightforward – but the gap in primary care coverage means many will still need a medical card or GP visit card to avoid steep out-of-pocket expenses. For an Irish patient with diabetes or epilepsy, the clear next step is to apply for the LTI card while also checking eligibility for a medical card; the two can work in tandem.

Frequently asked questions