Many people in Ireland face challenges in affording medicines. The Drugs Payment Scheme helps relieve some of that burden. The scheme limits how much an individual or family may pay in a month. If you are eligible, you don’t have to spend more than €80 each month for prescribed and approved items.  This article takes you through how the scheme works, how to apply and the benefits you can expect.

What is the Drugs Payment Scheme?

The scheme is a financial support scheme provided by the Irish government. It is designed to make it easier for people to afford the cost of prescribed drugs and certain medical appliances. Under the terms of the DPS scheme, individuals or families only pay up to €80 in any given month. Once patients reach their monthly limit of €80 a month under the drug payment scheme. The cost of further approved medication for the rest of the month is free.

This is not an income scheme. Anyone living in Ireland can apply for the scheme, regardless of income. Thus, the main aim is to ensure that people are not financially burdened by the cost of necessary medication.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the scheme, you just have to be ordinarily resident in Ireland. This means that you live in Ireland, and you intend to stay. The scheme is available for individuals and families. A family includes adults and dependents. Dependents may be children who are under 18 or full-time students who are under 23.

If you already have a medical card, you will not be able to apply. However, many middle-income households who do not qualify for a medical card find this scheme very useful.

How to Apply

There are two ways to apply for the Drug Payment Scheme: online and by post.

Online Application:

Visit the drugs payment scheme login portal at mydps.ie. You’ll need to create an account using your PPS number, address, and family details. The online system is quick and user-friendly. Once submitted, your application is usually processed within a few weeks.

Postal Application:

If you want, you can apply by post. You can pick up a prescription claim form from your pharmacy or Local Health Office. Complete the form carefully, and send it to the HSE. Make sure you complete the details for each family member.

Emergency Registration:

If you are filing an urgent application for benefits, a pharmacy can register you immediately (temporarily.) So you can access benefits as soon as possible. When applying, the pharmacy informs you that you must complete and submit a full application in three months. If you fail to do this, you will lose your temporary approval to access benefits.

About the Drug Payment Scheme Card

After your application is approved you will be provided with a drugs payment scheme card. You need to show this card at the pharmacy whenever you collect medication. The card verifies you are registered. It shows that you are entitled to benefit from the cost limit.

The card is valid for around one year. You must renew the drug payment scheme card before it expires. Either using the online portal or by contacting HSE. The renewal process makes certain that you continue to access benefits without interruption.

What’s Covered?

The scheme encompasses a variety of items on the scheme. These include medication and medical appliances which have been approved under the drug payment scheme. Medical appliances that are included are blood glucose monitors, oxygen, and CPAP machines. If you are unsure if any specific medicine is covered, you can ask your pharmacist. Or you can search the HSE website.

Please note that over-the-counter medicines are not covered, only items that are provided by a registered doctor / specialist.

Using the Scheme Online

You can use the drugs payment scheme login portal to manage your application. View your spending record and change your personal details. These include your address. Add or remove family members or check the status of your card.

Online access allows you to easily view your details and stay in control. If you lose your card you can also request a replacement online.

Claiming a Refund

Sometimes you might mistakenly pay over €80 for your medication in a month. This might happen if you have been to different pharmacies. Or if you might have simply forgotten to show your card. If this happens, you can apply for a rebate through the drugs reimbursement scheme.

All you need to do is complete a DPS refund form which can be found on the HSE website. You will also have to submit receipts and proof of your spending. Send this in to the HSE. It may take a few weeks for them to process a rebate so keep a copy of everything you send in.

Check Your Refund

After submitting your form, you may be interested to check the status of your claim. You can check your dps refund status online, or directly contact the HSE. If you contact the HSE by phone, or email, be sure to provide your claim number.

Keeping track of your expenditure, and following up your claims will assist you in not losing out on any eligible refunds.

Tips to Use the Scheme Well

For best results with the Drug Payment Scheme: 

• Use the same pharmacy each month which helps the pharmacist track and maintain the record of your payments. 
• Make sure you keep your receipts for the related payments, if you apply for a reimbursement you will need them.
• You should update your details online as needed whenever there is a change in your household circumstances, such as a family member reaching the age of 18 or moving out. 
• Keeping your details updated will allow you to access your benefits without any interruptions.
• Be organised. Keep on top of your card application when the time is right, keep track of how much you spend, ask questions when you’re unsure.

Conclusion

The Drug Payment Scheme is an invaluable service for residents in Ireland, reducing the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket each month for essential medicines and medical appliances. You can apply via online or by post. Once you have your card, you just need to use it each time you fill a proposition and stay on top of how you manage your account. If you have overpaid you can claim a refund. 

Find out what is allowed. Plan your spending. With the right information and little planning you can really access the full advantages of this assistance. The scheme is there to be used, to make it work for you and your families.

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