Fundraising for Surgery: Making Medical Care Affordable

| 4 min read Uncategorized

It can be extremely upsetting – if not traumatic – to end up having to pay extra money for medical bills if you’re ill or injured. Being off kilter with sickness or injury is bad enough without worrying about making a financial shortfall, and of course if you’re not 100% well it can affect working too, which makes the situation worse.

Extra stress can be detrimental to recovery too and no one wants that. This post is here to help and advise on how medical care costs in Ireland can be made affordable. You can also crowdfund to help with your medical costs.

Government and public health assistance

If you’re in need of treatment or surgery, there may be government or public health assistance that can help you cover the costs.

Health Service Executive (HSE)

The Health Service Executive of Ireland provides community healthcare locally. This includes GPs, social care and mental health care services. You can access these health services through one of the HSE’s local health offices. You can also access services such as child health services, community welfare, chiropody and physiotherapy.

Medical card & GP visit card

If you have a medical card in Ireland, you can get certain health services free of charge. Medical cards are issued by the HSE and you must meet a certain criteria to get them. Your weekly income must be under a certain amount for your family size, for example. You can read more about medical cards here. If you don’t qualify for a medical card, you might be able to get a GP visit card which gives you free visits to the GP.

Long waiting lists

Often, another problem faced by those waiting for surgery or treatment in Ireland can be long waiting lists. The HSE has a page here where you can check them. One option to try and avoid waiting lists is to pay for private care – however, this can be expensive.

Employer-supported sick pay and benefits

The Statutory Sick Pay Scheme was introduced in Ireland back in 2022 and means that since January 1 2024, you are entitled to up to five days of paid sick leave per year. You must, however, have been working for 13 weeks with that employer to qualify for sick pay. Sick pay is 70% of your normal weekly pay, or up to €110 per day.

Private health insurance

Another option to avoid long waiting times is to claim on private health insurance. Getting private health insurance, if you can, might be a good option before you need major treatment or surgery. Often private health insurance covers inpatient care, things like private or semi private rooms in hospitals, maternity benefits or overseas benefits. Some of the most common insurers in Ireland include VHI, Laya Healthcare, Irish Life Health. It’s important to read each policy carefully before you take it out to ensure you understand exactly what is covered.

Using GoFundMe for medical crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a tool anyone can use to help with the costs associated with medical care. Crowdfunding for help with the cost of an operation has become nearly as common as some routine surgical procedures. Starting a GoFundMe fundraiser if you need help with medical costs in Ireland could help in a number of ways – for example, you could start the fundraiser for the surgery itself in a private context or to help you with the financial strains as you recover. 

Crowdfunding can be particularly effective in the case of an emergency operation. If you or a loved one has to have emergency surgery, you may not have much time to organise your finances – but you can raise money quickly with medical fundraising. Use our Medical Crowdfunding Guide to learn about raising funds for operations and other medical expenses.

Remember, when you start your GoFundMe there will be plenty of people out there wanting to help. Make sure you update them every step of the way and share your fundraiser.

Get help with paying for your surgery today

The stress from illness is something no one needs when it comes to recovering. Starting a GoFundMe for your medical funds can help to alleviate some of that burden and ensure a speedier recovery.

There are plenty of options in Ireland to help – make sure you’re actively exploring things like medical cards and the best insurance deals too so you’re not missing out. 

Written by helen