Help with Health Costs

Your Health

Help with Health Costs

Some people are entitled to help with various health related costs including prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, sight tests, travel to hospital for treatment and NHS wigs and fabric supports. Detailed information is available in Leaflet HC11 "Are you entitled to help with health costs" available from main post offices, from the Department for Work and Pensions or from the Department of Health Literature Line (Telephone 0800 555 777) or see www.doh.gov.uk/nhscharges

For more information or advice about help with health costs you can also telephone the health costs helpline 0845 850 1166.

Claiming Free Prescriptions

The following groups of people are eligible for free prescriptions. Remember - the pharmacist may ask to to see proof that you are entitled to free prescriptions.

You are eligible if at the time the prescription is dispensed you:

are an NHS in-patient

are under 16 years of age.

are aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full time education.

are aged 60 years or over.

have a listed medical condition and a valid medical exemption certificate. Ask your GP, hospital or pharmacy

have a continuing physical disability which means you cannot get out without help from another person and you have a valid exemption certificate

are a War Pensioner and the prescription is for your accepted disablement - for this you will need a War Pensions exemption certificate - from the War Pensions Agency.

are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months - for this you will need an NHS maternity exemption certificate. Ask your GP, midwife or health visitor.

are getting (or your partner is getting) one of the following benefits : Income Support , Income based Job Seekers Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

are entitled to, or are named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit exemption certificate.

If none of the above apply but you have difficulties paying NHS charges you may qualify for help under the NHS Low Income Scheme. You will need to complete form HC1 available from your dentist, optician or GP surgery or by telphoning 0845 850 1166.

If you are paying NHS prescription charges and you think you might be able to claim a refund you should ask the pharmacist for an NHS receipt (FP57) at the time you pay the charge. The receipt explains what you need to do to claim a refund.

If you do not qualify for free prescriptions but need several prescriptions a year it may be worth applying for a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (Season Ticket). You can apply for a PPC on the internet www.ppa.org.uk or you can telephone 0845 850 0030

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	are an NHS in-patient
	are under 16 years of age.
	are aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full time education.
	are aged 60 years or over.
	have a listed medical condition and a valid medical exemption certificate. Ask your GP, hospital or pharmacy
	have a continuing physical disability which means you cannot get out without help from another person and you have a valid exemption certificate
	are a War Pensioner and the prescription is for your accepted disablement - for this you will need a War Pensions exemption certificate - from the War Pensions Agency.
	are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months - for this you will need an NHS maternity exemption certificate. Ask your GP, midwife or health visitor.
	are getting (or your partner is getting) one of the following benefits : Income Support , Income based Job Seekers Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
	are entitled to, or are named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit exemption certificate.