We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
NHS Dental Fine
Comments
-
surreysaver wrote: »Why can't the NHS send reminders by email? It would cost them nothing. Or why can't the dentist check eligibility at the time of treatment - you either pay or produce an exemption certificate. It is not difficult - that would be how it would work in any other business.
The NHS would rather waste millions on having anti-fraud departments chasing up those who have not committed fraud.
Or save millions by being proactive in getting payments that would other wise be lost, and you ARE supposed to prove exemption at the time, but as I have said before Dentists and Pharmacist so not want to be the gate keepers and refuse treatment due to the abuse they will have to endure.
Thy make it clear in the leaflets available from all dentists surgeries
You will be asked to show your dentist written proof that you do not have to pay for all or part of your NHS treatment. You will also be asked to sign a form to confirm that you do not have to pay. If your name is on a valid HC3 certificate, you may not have to pay for all your treatment. Checks are made on free and reduced cost treatment claims. If you say you have the right to free treatment when you do not, you may incur a penalty charge
0 -
Wow. Complaining about smiley faces - an obviously mistaken attempt at being conciliatory - and then massive bold letters. :rotfl:
Okay...let's consider something.
People who have NHS exemption certificates have two things in common.
They are being treated for some medical problem and they have low incomes.
Their medical problem may be a mental illness. We see on these threads (as well as other places) that some cope less well with things in life.
It may also be that whatever medication they take causes side effects which can often affect one's ability to function at times. Some meds may have all sorts of negative impacts. Confusion, forgetfulness, lack of concentration etc
It might also be that the illness gets worse.
And then there's the financial aspect. You're on a low income. What if you need to repair the cooker or washing machine. That heating bill's a bit high.
Just a few more things to worry about.
But let's not spend a few pence on low income, sick people, sending a new application form as the certificate is about to expire. Heartless.
But it's okay to remind drivers that their licence is about to expire.
What weird priorities some folk have.
My humble apologies for the 'ignorant' smiley face.
Get over yourself.0 -
How does it work when someone on a low income and therefore entitled to a certificate for free dental treatment but then has a change of circumstance and gets a job that pays well, what happens to that certificate?0
-
missapril75 wrote: »Wow. Complaining about smiley faces - an obviously mistaken attempt at being conciliatory - and then massive bold letters. :rotfl:
Okay...let's consider something.
People who have NHS exemption certificates have two things in common.
They are being treated for some medical problem and they have low incomes.
Their medical problem may be a mental illness. We see on these threads (as well as other places) that some cope less well with things in life.
It may also be that whatever medication they take causes side effects which can often affect one's ability to function at times. Some meds may have all sorts of negative impacts. Confusion, forgetfulness, lack of concentration etc
It might also be that the illness gets worse.
And then there's the financial aspect. You're on a low income. What if you need to repair the cooker or washing machine. That heating bill's a bit high.
Just a few more things to worry about.
But let's not spend a few pence on low income, sick people, sending a new application form as the certificate is about to expire. Heartless.
But it's okay to remind drivers that their licence is about to expire.
What weird priorities some folk have.
My humble apologies for the 'ignorant' smiley face.
Get over yourself.
Sorry I totally disagree is it not heartless, I am sick yet I managed to renew my medical exemption certificate, people on a low income whose income is made up of certain income related benefits wouldn't get a letter from the NHS business services anyway as data sharing with the DWP would show their entitlement, people who SAY they are on a low income should be prepared to prove it and to report any changes, the same way they have to when applying for housing benefit or council tax relief.
I accept your point about people with mental health issues, but the NHS cannot write off millions in unpaid charges because it affects a small number that's not a reason for scrapping the system , I would like to see support and maybe lifetime free NHS treatment for people with certain conditions like mental health problems who have to take certain drugs - I never understood why my own lifetime condition required me to renew my certificate every 5 years. All that's needed would be for the exempt drug to be on a different prescription to any other medication so its always free with no restrictions or proof therefore no 'nasty' letter, all other medication would have the same criteria as now, exemption due to benefits or low income with proof shown.
I am sorry about the large text BTW that's how it came out with the cut and paste.
You want to live in a nanny state or a country who will just write off millions in unpaid fees, sorry I don't0 -
How does it work when someone on a low income and therefore entitled to a certificate for free dental treatment but then has a change of circumstance and gets a job that pays well, what happens to that certificate?
The certificate is issued based on a snapshot of the persons income/ savings at a particular point in time. If eligible the exemption certificate is issued and is valid for a certain length of time.
Whatever happens: get a job/ win the lottery/ inherit a fortune, that certificate is valid.I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.0 -
The certificate is issued based on a snapshot of the persons income/ savings at a particular point in time. If eligible the exemption certificate is issued and is valid for a certain length of time.
Whatever happens: get a job/ win the lottery/ inherit a fortune, that certificate is valid.
I would hope in that case a person wouldn't claim but legally they could, which is why there needs to be a system to ensure that claimants still meet the criteria for income exemption, and that means reclaiming and proving entitlement after a certain length of time, not just assuming the NHS will take your word that your income hasn't increased or waiting for a reminder0 -
The certificate is issued based on a snapshot of the persons income/ savings at a particular point in time. If eligible the exemption certificate is issued and is valid for a certain length of time.
Whatever happens: get a job/ win the lottery/ inherit a fortune, that certificate is valid.
Why is it still valid? Doesn't the dental patient need to confirm that they are in receipt of the benefit that entitled them to the exemption?0 -
Why is it still valid? Doesn't the dental patient need to confirm that they are in receipt of the benefit that entitled them to the exemption?
The HC2 is not related to benefit entitlement, it is based on being on a low income. So in theory someone could go on to earn a high amount and still qualify until their certificate runs out.
The only time you're obliged to inform them of a change in circumstances is if you have a five year certificate.0 -
The HC2 is not related to benefit entitlement, it is based on being on a low income. So in theory someone could go on to earn a high amount and still qualify until their certificate runs out.
The only time you're obliged to inform them of a change in circumstances is if you have a five year certificate.
Good grief...0 -
I'm still wondering why you don't object to driving licence reminders issued by this nanny state.You want to live in a nanny state
Wouldn't it be better to save that money and pass it on the the NHS? Why is it only poor and sick people singled out?
But the fees exist because the OP missed the expiry. Had there been a reminder, coverage could have continued and there would be no fee.or a country who will just write off millions in unpaid fees,
Better still, there wouldn't be all this money wasted chasing up a fee that wouldn't exist but for a few pence on a reminder.
Sometimes a little money spent saves a lot.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards