Do students pay for prescriptions?

darbooka

Noticed in this week's MoneyTip from Martin that there was a mention about students in full-time education not having to pay for prescription medicines? Is this true for university students? How about for overseas students too? Does one need to get some exemption certificate?

stuwilky

It is income dependant - you need to apply for an exemption certificate using a HC1 application form.

0800 555 777 for an application form to be sent. You may not get one - but if you arent eligible a "season ticket" may prove cheaper depending on how many prescriptions you need.

student100

Martin made a mistake; prescriptions are only free for full time students under 19 years old.

Those 19 and over have to pay. You can apply under the low-income scheme using an HC-1 form for free or reduced-price prescriptions (and also NHS Dental treatment) - it's a lengthy form which you need to fill in about once a year.
I myself have to fill one in so I can continue to use my NHS dentist, and although I do get very limited help with dental treatment, I don't qualify for free prescriptions.


I have told Martin about this and he's corrected the article

Clareo

It's different in Wales where prescriptions are free for all those under 25.

lellie

Clareo wrote:

It's different in Wales where prescriptions are free for all those under 25.

aye I just go home if I want to get a prescription.. although I'm english and live in england (only just) my registered doctor is in wales over the border so I just get prescriptions there..

Poppy9

lellie

WAG is after you.;) They have been making a big thing about it this past week that they are going to issue welsh only prescriptions. If you do not have a permanent Welsh address etc you won't get a Welsh prescription. Welsh pharmacies are now going to have to run two systems, bet that'll please them. If you take a Welsh prescription to an English pharmacy you will have to pay the full English cost.

ACID

the hc 1 form si rubbish,, i use these for dentists

and reg. bils for me come at standard £30 for a check up

however the allowance from the nhs give m,e £200, which menas they will pay the remainder over £200 nothign below!!!

lee__48

ACID wrote:

the hc 1 form si rubbish,, i use these for dentists

and reg. bils for me come at standard £30 for a check up

however the allowance from the nhs give m,e £200, which menas they will pay the remainder over £200 nothign below!!!

I applied for help with health costs last year. On their assessment my student loan is included in my weekly income - since when is a loan classed as income - i've gotta pay it back!!!!

Lee

lellie

Poppy9 wrote:

lellie

WAG is after you.;) They have been making a big thing about it this past week that they are going to issue welsh only prescriptions. If you do not have a permanent Welsh address etc you won't get a Welsh prescription. Welsh pharmacies are now going to have to run two systems, bet that'll please them. If you take a Welsh prescription to an English pharmacy you will have to pay the full English cost.

hmm.. they're gonna get confused by me then.. I live in england but my address is monmouth - wales! teehee..

student100

lee__48 wrote:

since when is a loan classed as income - i've gotta pay it back!!!

Yes, but when you do pay it back the amount comes out of your income then, just like tax. So the student loan increases your income now but decreases your income when you're paying it back.

Credit card companies etc. count student loan as income, which is good if you want to get a credit card.

dave2986

Just got the 'results' back from my HC1 too, and i only get help if the costs are over a certain amount, but the amount is too high, so i effecitvly get nothing, unless i go blind, or get all my teeth knocked out, complete waste of time.

All i put down for my income was my student loan/grant.

I might phone them up as it seems stupid i dont get anything, i must be living below the poverty line!!!