Number of GP Visit Cards in Use Projected to Rise to Over 820,300

The number of medical cards in use declined last year, while the number of GP visit cards has continued to rise, according to data in the HSE Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025.

In the past 10 years, the number of medical cards has reduced by over 10 per cent, the report highlighted. In 2015, there were 1.7 million medical cardholders, but this had dropped to around 1.5 million cardholders in 2025.

According to the report, the HSE expects the number of medical cardholders to continue to fall and projects a decline of almost 50,000 cardholders in 2026.

Medical cards entitle the user to several free public health services and free prescription medicines, apart from prescription charges. People granted a GP visit card are entitled to free GP visits only. The total number of GP visit cards has steadily increased in recent years – from 431,306 in 2015 to 785,152 in 2025.

The number of GP visit cards in use in 2026 is projected to rise to 820,328, the report stated.

Separately, the report shows that 710,000 reviews were completed through the chronic disease management (CDM) programme in general practice at the end of 2025. The number of patient contacts by chronic disease community specialist teams (CSTs) totalled 474,000 – a 33 per cent rise on 2024.

The report outlined that 97 per cent of GMS GPs have signed up to the CDM contract and 92 per cent of patients with chronic disease are now routinely managed in primary care.

“This is reflected in reduced planned care waiting times, as demonstrated in endocrinology/diabetes where 18 sites have reduced waiting lists by approximately 20 per cent between 2023–2025,” the report stated.

“The number of patients waiting longer than 12 months for an OPD [outpatient department] appointment at these sites has also reduced by over 70 per cent. Where CSTs are delivering a full respiratory service, a 10 per cent reduction in emergency hospitalisations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has also occurred.”

Meanwhile, electronic or e-referrals have increased, with over 173,000 made by GPs to community health networks and CSTs through Healthlink, representing a 42 per cent rise on 2024.