Free Prescriptions / ‘Season tickets’
Some people automatically get free prescriptions. Certain people can get an exemption certificate to obtain free prescriptions. Also, anyone needing regular prescriptions may save money by buying a prescription pre-payment certificate.
Who gets free prescriptions automatically?
• If you are under 16: OR
• If you are under 19 and in full-time education: OR
• If you are aged 60 or over: OR
• If you (or your partner) gets one of the following:
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
• Certain Tax Credits (if your income is low enough).
Who can get an exemption certificate?
Pregnant women.
Women who have had a child within the last year.
War Pensioners, for treatments to do with their pensionable disability.
People who, because of a permanent disability, cannot leave the house without help.
People with income below a certain level.
People suffering from certain conditions. Although there are many conditions requiring permanent medication,
only the following qualify for exemption:
A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
Forms of hypoadrenalism, such as Addison's Disease.
Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
Hypoparathyroidism.
Myasthenia gravis.
Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where supplemental thyroid hormone is necessary.
Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy.
If you have an exemption certificate, all your prescriptions are free, whatever the medication is for. How do you get free prescriptions?
• If you are automatically entitled to free prescriptions complete the declaration on the back of the prescription and sign it. You may be asked for proof that you are exempt.
• If you are pregnant or have had a child in the past year, get form FW8 from your doctor, midwife or health visitor to apply for an exemption certificate.
• If you are a War Pensioner, an exemption certificate will be issued by the War Pensions Agency, Blackpool.
• If you suffer from one of the conditions above, or are housebound, get form FP92A from your pharmacist to apply for an exemption certificate.
• If you are claiming exemption because you have a low income, get form HC1 (details below).
How can regular prescription charges be reduced?
If you do not qualify for exemption you may be able to reduce the cost of your prescriptions by buying a prepayment
certificate ('season ticket'). A prepayment certificate will cover the cost of all your prescriptions during a particular period. A prepayment certificate costs £32.90 for four months and £90.40 for a year (April 2003 rates). You can apply for a prepayment certificate by completing form FP95 which is available from pharmacies. You can also download a form from www.doh.gov.uk/nhscharges/fp95.htm
What about people with a low income?
If you do not automatically qualify, but have a low income, you may also be eligible for help. This is through the NHS Low Income Scheme. As a rule, you should apply if you are on a low income, and you and/or your partner have less than £8,000 in property, savings or any other money (but don’t count the place where you live). The level of savings is £12,000 if you and/or your partner are 60 or over, and £18,500 if you live permanently in a residential care home or nursing home. Students can apply.
How can people with a low income get help?
Use form HC1 'Claim for help with health costs'. See below how to get this form. The amount of help is based on your level of income and individual circumstances. You will receive certificate HC2 or HC3 if your application is successful.
• Certificate HC2 provides full help. You will not need to pay any of the cost.
• Certificate HC3 provides partial help. You will need to pay some of the cost yourself.
Certificates are normally sent within 4 weeks of a claim being received. They are usually valid for 6 months. If necessary, a new claim should be made before the current one expires.
How can I find out more and obtain the necessary forms?
Claim form
You can get form HC1 'Claim for help with health costs', and any other benefit claim form, from your local social security office. Find your local office in the phone book under Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus or Social Security. Alternatively, claim form HC1 is available on request from the Health Literature line on 0800 555 777.
Further information
This leaflet only gives a brief summary of help with medical costs and is for guidance only. It does not cover all situations nor is it a full statement of the law. The official information booklet HC11 ' Help with health costs ' provides more details. Your local social security office, NHS hospital, pharmacist, doctor, dentist or optician may have this leaflet and relevant claim forms.
Alternatively, for a free copy of booklet HC11 ' Help with health costs ' write to:
Department of Health Publications , PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH
Freephone Adviceline on 0800 91 77 711 also provides guidance about free prescriptions.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Provides independent advice on many issues including benefits. Listed in the phone book under 'Citizens Advice
Web resources
www.dwp.gov.uk - Department for Work and Pensions website provides information on benefits.
www.patient.co.uk - includes listings of web sites that provide information on benefits
