Sooner Royal Mail goes bust the better

peachyprice

Dr_Cuckoo3 wrote: »

Which benefits are these then ?

The qualifying benefits for free prescriptions appear to be means tested

No, exemption isn't only means tested

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16-18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you from going out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• are an NHS inpatient

Medical exemption (MedEx) certificates are issued on application to people who have:

• a permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring an appliance or continuous surgical dressing
• a form of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is needed
• diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
• diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
• hypoparathyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
• epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
• continuing physical disability that prevents the person from going out without help from another person. Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months

So it seems quite likely that the OP is paying unnecessarily for medication.