LTI scheme for people who have diabetes

Posted on Jun 29th, 2018

by The Artisan Diabetic

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There is confusion about items with no code on the Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme list of approved items for people with diabetes. The LTI scheme is an Irish health scheme provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in which people with certain long term diseases or disabilities can get approved medication or medical appliances free of charge. There is an application process for anyone who wishes to avail of this scheme.

I sent an email to the HSE help line (HSELive) asking about codes for the following items:

Dextrose Gel

Injection swabs

Control solutions for use with meters

I got the following reply:

“I wish to advise you that I checked your query with the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Services and they advised me that there is no codes for the three items you listed in your email. The Pharmacist can send the three items as a claim as uncoded items under Code 77750 and attach a copy of the invoice.

Alternatively, your Pharmacist can contact the Drugs Unit/Pharmacy Functions Unit in the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Services and they will advise them with regard to the above process. I trust this is of assistance.’

There have been rumours that Dextrose Gel, which is used to treat hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) by people with insulin dependent diabetes was no longer on the list of approved items. As per above this is not the case. The items I enquired about are still covered under the LTI scheme. Your pharmacy just has to send a copy of the invoice for the products under code 77750 and they will be reimbursed.

I always find staff on the HSE helplines very helpful. This query was answered very quickly. If you are concerned about your entitlements it is always better to check it out rather than worrying.

Note: The items in red on the picture of the section from the LTI approved list have no relevance to this post. They are in red on the actual form.