Under the standard means tested medical card scheme of assessment, which is not age dependant, savings or investments of amounts up to €36,000 for a single person and €72,000 for a couple are disregarded for assessment purposes. For savings or investments amounts over these limits the following calculation(s) will apply to determine the amount to be taken into account for assessment purposes:
- The next €10,000 @ one (€1) Euro per week per €1,000.
- The next €10,000 @ two (€2) Euro per week per €1,000.
- Savings in excess of the above @ four (€4) Euro per week per €1,000.
In the case of the special assessment process for persons aged 70 years and over, interest earned on savings or investments amounts up to €36,000 for single person and €72,000 for a couple is disregarded. In the case of interest on savings or investments of amounts over these limits,
a notional rate of interest is applied. The notional rate is 2.3%, having been reduced from 3.0% with effect from 1st January 2014. Alternatively, a medical card applicant may opt to have the actual income in interest received from the financial institution applied for the purpose of means assessment. The applicant must provide a certificate of interest paid in the last full calendar year. Interest on savings or investments that are the proceeds of certain State compensation or redress schemes are exempt from assessment of means for medical card/GP visit card eligibility.
