GP letter charge

merlin68

If you get the dla forms, it's best to get the drs to fill them in, my surgery have a benifits adviser, who is excellent. I got LRC and LRM. The LRM was arwarded for panic attacks. The first time i applied i was turned down, the second time the dr's filled them in no problems getting it.

geoff11

always check, i say that because my gp did a letter for me at the back end of 2009 for social services, i fully expected to be charged £25 yet he didnt charge me a penny, i suppose it depends on how much info he has to put in and the gp themselves but its worth a call.

Uncertain

tr82 wrote: »

ESA shouldn't be asking you to provide a report that you're going to have to pay for. That's unacceptable.

I suggest you call DWP tomorrow, explain what the surgery has told you about the cost of the report & see what they say.

I agree this is a nasty "catch 22" situation. To be fair to the ESA people they don't know if there is good medical reason for a home visit without a doctor's letter.

I would certainly ask the GP again. I'm absolutely sure mine would write a quick note for free under these circumstances.

Equally, are we certain there is no way of claiming a fee of this type back from the DWP. I know you can claim traveling expenses for attending ESA medicals. This cannot be a unique situation.

pretty_mumma

Thanks everyone. Im going to speak to the DWP on monday to see what they say.

ChishyChoshy

tr82 wrote: »

ESA shouldn't be asking you to provide a report that you're going to have to pay for. That's unacceptable.

I suggest you call DWP tomorrow, explain what the surgery has told you about the cost of the report & see what they say.

As stated earlier if she signed sick on grounds of *just* a bad back and hasn't informed the DWP of anxiety/further conditions and that is why she is requesting a home visit then it is her fault and she should pay, unless she cannot attend in person entirely because of the bad back. Keyword being 'if' she hasn't told them of changes in her condition.

pretty_mumma

I filled out the Medical Questionaire just after christmas and have told them everything. Plus my sick certificates from the gp's also states everything so they are well aware of why i am off.
We'll see what they say on monday

tr82

ChishyChoshy wrote: »

As stated earlier if she signed sick on grounds of *just* a bad back and hasn't informed the DWP of anxiety/further conditions and that is why she is requesting a home visit then it is her fault and she should pay, unless she cannot attend in person entirely because of the bad back. Keyword being 'if' she hasn't told them of changes in her condition.

That's nonsense.

If the condition deteriorates or if a new condition arises, the customer merely obtains a new medical certificate & advises DWP accordingly.

It is not DWP policy to require customers to obtain private medical reports in order to justify benefit claims ... and if you have proof otherwise kindly post it here.

ChishyChoshy

It's not a question of justification for the claim at all. This is regarding the medical assessment. If as I stated she just had a bad back at the time of claiming then requesting a home visit would need further evidence to prove they could not reach an actual medical office. If this were not declared then again they would want evidence from the doctor to explain why they were not able.

The medical still assesses the condition originally applied for if no changes have been made or informed of.

stazi

pretty mumma sorry, but JCP will not be able to help you with this matter.

JCP do not decide if you can/cannot have an examination at home- this is decided by a doctor at ATOS. ATOS is a private company that has a contract to perform medical examinations for DWP/JCP for a number of benefits.

Your GP's letter needs to fully explain to ATOS the reasons why you are unable to attend an examiantion at their medical centre. The cost, if any, of a GP's letter is I'm afraid, between you and your GP. Examinations at home are rarely approved by ATOS, and then, only as a last resort.

pretty_mumma

Stazi,
When i spoke to ATOS they told me to contact my local jcp as they are the ones who will be visiting. They said it would be them or the surgery who would either not charge or pay for the report.