The basic income guideline to obtain GP visit cards has been increased from today.
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said that the basic income element of the means test will now be 50 per cent (up from 25 per cent) above the medical card income guideline.
Today's changes mean that the GP visit card will be available to a couple with two children earning about €63,400 a year, or a single person with no dependants earning about €22,152 a year.
Ms Harney encouraged people to apply for the card saying that "many people are only becoming aware that this benefit exists.
"The test is now after tax and PRSI, and also takes account of all reasonable mortgage or rent costs, travel to work expenses and childcare costs," she said.
Ms Harney said approximately 18,000 people have GP Visit Cards to date.