Patient Support

When diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease it is often not just your physical well-being that changes; your ability to carry on your work and engage with society in the way you have in the past may also change. This is where our Patient Support Officer can help. Some common requests for help and information include:

Navigating State provided supports
  • Medical Card: A person diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease may be entitled to a medical card, depending on their circumstances, but it is not an automatic right. If you do not meet the financial requirements for a medical card, a discretionary Medical Card may be issued. Click here to find out more.
  • Medication: Your prescriptions may be issued under the Medical Card Scheme, the High Tech Drug Scheme and/or the Drug Payment Scheme. Click here to find out more.
  • Reclaiming Costs: There is a provision from Revenue that allows for reclaiming some expenses related to being a kidney patient if you, or someone in your household, is a tax payer. Click here to find out more.
  • Haemodialysis Transport: When starting haemodialysis treatment, your unit should explain about the provision of transport services to and from your unit. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic there is currently a system of payments set up for haemodialysis patients who self-drive to their treatment. Click here to find out more. 
Direct Supports from the IKA

 

  • Supporting interaction with medical and social welfare service providers
  • Patient Aid
  • Return to ducation Grants

Contact Our Patient Support Officer

Lorraine Costello | l.costello@ika.ie |

(+353) 01 620 5306

Who Does Our Patient Support Officer Work With?

Our Patient Support Officer works with patients, their families and carers in many different areas including health expenses, patient aid, insurance, workplace issues and more. If you have any enquiries please get in touch.

Will My Case Be Confidential?

Our Patient Support Officer works with the utmost confidentiality. Whilst she will need to have your details to help you in the best way possible, these will never be shared with anyone else without your permission.

Lorraine-sq2

Lorraine Costello, Patient Support Officer

Lorraine Costello is based at IKA headquarters, Donor House. She focuses on social gain and welfare issues. The diagnosis of kidney failure brings about significant lifestyle changes on the individual, which impacts on employment and re-training needs. Working closely with the Chief Executive and the counselling service, Lorraine oversees the interviewing and assessment of patient needs. In cooperation with statutory agencies, she develops individual and family care plans and liaises with employers, hospital staff, training authorities and educational institutions, in order to maintain or initiate the process of the patient regaining or maintaining independence.

HSE Living Donor Reimbursement Policy

This policy has been adopted to address the issue of the costs incurred by donors participating in the Living Donor Programme in Ireland during the pre-operative and post-operative period. The implementation of this policy is intended to minimise financial disincentives for potential living donors, with a view to ensuring the pool of living kidney donors continues to expand.*

(* taken verbatim from the Department of Health)

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Claiming Health Expenses

The Med 1 Form is no longer available. Health expenses are claimed through your tax return form. You can claim relief on health expenses after the year has ended, and must have receipts to accompany your claim.

Kidney patients can claim relief, in addition to normal health expenses, for costs related to travelling for dialysis or the utilities required for home dialysis machines.

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