With the GP Visit Card Under 6s your child will get free GP visits, assessments at age 2 and 5 and care for children with asthma from July 1st 2015.
How can I get this new service?
Medical Card Holders – If your child or children have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card they will automatically be registered for this new scheme.
Non-Medical Card Holders – If your child or children does not have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card you must register them for this new scheme.
Register online
Check the list of GPs taking part
This list will be updated daily
What information do I need to register?
– Your Child or Children’s PPS number
– Your PPS number and contact details
– Select your GP of choice
Where can I get details of my child’s Personal Public Service (PPS) Number?
When you register your child’s birth the Department of Social Protection writes to you with their PPS Number. If you do not have a PPS number for your child please contact the Client Identity Services, Department of Social Protection, Lo Call 1890 927 999 or email cis@welfare.ie
Why is a Parent’s or Guardian’s PPS Number needed?
We need your PPS number to link children under 6 years with all family members who are in receipt of services under the Community Health Schemes.
Do I get a GP Visit Card for my child or children?
Yes, once the registration of your child or children is complete a GP Visit Card for children under 6, will be posted, to the address provided, for each eligible child.
My child’s 6th birthday is in July 2015, should I still register my child?
Yes. All children who have not reached their 6th birthday and who live in Ireland or who intend to live in Ireland for a year, are eligible for service under the GP Visit Card for children under 6 Scheme. If your child’s 6th birthday occurs in July 2015, you should register your child and he/she will be eligible for GP Visit Card for children under 6 until the end of July 2015
What happens if my children attend separate GPs?
If a child or children attend separate GPs, you must complete a separate registration for each child and choose the GP of choice on each registration
Why is my GP of choice not listed?
Your GP of choice may not be listed if they have not signed the Agreement to Provide Service to children under 6 years, or if they are not accepting any further registrations. You can pick another GP. Your GP’s application to join the Under 6s scheme, may be being processed. Contracts are updated on a daily basis as is the list of available GPs under the scheme.
Can I change details submitted during the online registration process?
If you have completed a registration for your child or children using the online registration facility, you may login to your previously registered account, to update or add additional information. Alternatively, you can complete another registration form to update or add additional information to your record.
I have registered my child online – what happens next?
Once you complete the registration process, details are sent to your GP of choice who must accept your child or children to his or her patient panel. Once the GP of choice has confirmed acceptance of the registration of your child or children, a GP Visit Card will be issued to all eligible children within a few days. If your GP is not accepting electronic registrations, you will be informed by email. Just print the attachment to the email and bring it to
your GP for them to complete the GP Acceptance section.
Please return the completed form to:
GP Visit Card for children under 6
PO Box 12629
Dublin 11
I have selected a GP of choice, is my child now covered under this scheme?
Confirmation of acceptance of your child or children is needed from your GP of choice. Your child or children’s eligibility will not commence until you receive confirmation that your GP of choice has confirmed that they have accepted your child or children onto their panel.
What happens when my child turn 6 years?
You will be notified by the National Medical Card Unit approximately three months before your child or children’s eligibility is due to expire. A ‘Valid To’ date is displayed on your child’s GP Visit Card.
I have submitted a Medical Card/GP Visit Card application; do I need to include my child under 6 on the application?
When applying for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card you should include the details for all your children, including any under 6 years. This will enable the National Medical Card Unit to calculate the correct financial threshold appropriate to your family. Each member of your family will receive a Medical Card or GP Visit Card once the eligibility criteria are met. Should your Medical Card application be unsuccessful, your child or children who are under the age of 6 years will automatically get eligibility to a GP Visit Card.
What services are provided under the GP Visit Card for children under 6?
With the GP Visit Card Under 6s your child will get free GP visits, assessments at age 2 and 5 and care for children with asthma.
What are the assessments at 2 and 5 years?
The assessments at age 2 and 5 are age based preventive checks focused on health and wellbeing and prevention of disease. These assessments will involve the recording of age, gender, weight and height, and plotting on a centile chart and taking appropriate follow-up action, including where appropriate, provision of health promotion advice, brief intervention and support, or referral to specialist services. During the assessments the Medical Practitioner will provide advice on smoking cessation to parents or guardians where necessary.
What is an Asthma check?
Children suffering with asthma deserve to have their asthma well managed so they can fully participate in physical activities and live a normal life. Asthma checks have been shown to improve control of asthma in children. Each asthma check details the severity of your child or children’s asthma and involves a review of medications including ensuring that your child is using inhalers correctly. Your GP will advise you on how to improve your child’s asthma, including advice on smoke free environment, flu vaccination to prevent influenza and education on what to do if your child’s condition is getting worse. A written plan, tailored to your child, will be given to you to help you manage your child’s asthma. Asthma checks have been shown to improve control of asthma in children.
How often does my child get an asthma check?
Where there is a diagnosis of asthma on a child aged over 2 years, an initial asthma check will be carried out by your GP or Practice Nurse. A further check will be carried out within 3 months of the initial check and every year thereafter until your child or children are 6 years old.
Will I have to pay for medicines prescribed by my GP for my children under 6 years?
The GP Visit Card for children under 6 does not cover the cost of medications prescribed by a GP or hospital charges. If your child has eligibility under the Long Term Illness Scheme, they will receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their long term illness, free of charge. If you don’t have a Medical Card you should apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, an individual or family will pay a maximum of €144 each month for their approved drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by them or their family, in that month. The monthly financial threshold is determined by the Minister for Health.
Will Home Visits by my GP be covered?
Yes, home visits are covered. It will be a matter for the GP to exercise his/her judgement in each individual case in determining whether a home visit is warranted.
Will Out of Hours Urgent GP care will be provided?
Yes, out of hours, urgent GP care service will be covered.
If you don’t want to apply online use the application form
GP Visit Card Under 6 Application Form.pdf (size 1.4 MB)
GP Visit Card Under 6 Application Form Irish.pdf (size 1.4 MB)
and return to
GP Visit Card – Under 6s
PO Box 12629
Dublin 11
If you have any queries local 1890 252 919
