Claiming free dental treatment with expired NHS exemption card.

makershaker

Hi.. been undergoing orthodontic treatment for the last 5 months. Had an NHS exemption card which I genuinely thought if I still receive working tax credits then the card is valid. This weekend though I noticed that the card had expired 1 year ago so phoned up for a new card but was told can no longer have it as I'm now over the wages threshold. So when I started this treatment I showed the staff my card which they photocopied and I signed some forms. I have another 18 months of treatment left and no one seems to have noticed my error.

Should I explain my genuine mistake? Problem is if I own up I dont think I'll be able to afford the treatment!

If I say nothing how likely am I going to be caught?

Let me reiterate this, it was a 100% genuine mistake on my part.

sammyjammy

Well it was a genuine mistake on your part but it isn't anymore is it.......

nannytone_2

had the card already expired when you started the course of treatment?
it is your situation on the day the treatment starts that decides if you need to pay or not.
also you may still qualify for help with NHS costs due to low income.
complete form HC1 to find out

makershaker

Yes the card had expired. . I never even noticed. Even took the card with me which they looked at and never noticed either. The fact that they checked my card and started my treatment. Will I be okay to say nothing? Worried sick about this

nannytone_2

it will eventually be noticed.
its up to you whether you keep quiet, but if youre worried now... you will be worried forever waiting for them to contact you to ask for the money back!

makershaker

Who would be likely to notice the Orthodontist staff or will HMRC/ NHS get in touch?

clarryd

If the treatment was agreed while your exemption card was valid, does that not count as you had already agreed the treatment plan then.

I would just check with the dentist surgery (no need to give your name or details) just ask the question and you will know if you are fraudulently claiming free dental treatment.

If she says you should be paying yourself, the next time you go explain your mistake and tell them it was an oversight on your part and would like to start paying for your treatment from now on.

Upsidedown_Bear

"The penalty charge

If the NHS finds that you have wrongly claimed free or reduced-cost treatment, you may be guilty of an offence and you may have to pay a penalty charge. In some cases you may be prosecuted.
The penalty charge is a civil fine – it is five times the amount you should have paid, up to £100.
This is on top of the original charge. The NHS will take action in the civil courts if necessary.
For example, (at 2013 rates) if you wrongly claim free prescriptions for two items (£15.70), you will have to pay a penalty charge of £78.50 (5 x £15.70) plus £15.70 for the actual prescription charges.
If you wrongly claim free dental treatment at the lowest rate (£18.00), you will have to pay a penalty charge of £90.00 (5 x £18.00) plus £18.00 for the actual dental charge. You can find more information about penalty charges from the following.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Protect
and search for ‘Penalty Charge Guidance’.

Phone 0300 330 1343."


Page 28:
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/Documents/HealthCosts/HC11_April_2013.pdf

teddysmum

nannytone wrote: »

had the card already expired when you started the course of treatment?
it is your situation on the day the treatment starts that decides if you need to pay or not.

The OP states that they have been having treatment for 5 months, but the card expired a year ago, so it was not valid at the time of commencement.


The maximum NHS charge is £219 for a course of treatment and not the number of individual procedures, so it's not worth risking having to pay six times this amount ( £219 plus 5x penalty is £1314 ) by ''keeping quiet'.

makershaker

So are you saying the maximum amount I'll have to pay for the entire treatment is £219? Does that apply in Scotland?

cifpower

You will now have to pay the NHS rate. I would also apply for a HC3 certificate which may give you a discount going forward.

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/Documents/HealthCosts/HC1_Scotland.pdf

Keep yourself right because if they check (and they do) you will be asked to repay what you got for free and possibly a penalty charge too.