HELP! NHS Penalty Charge

Tworky

Hi,


I would like some help in appealing the extortionate NHS penalty charges. I had a check up for £13.50 which I had previously received an NHS Tax Exemption Certificate for, but I didn't realise this had expired due to my income. it was a big oversight on my part, which I know is my fault so please be kind.


I rang the number on the letter to ask an advisor how to appeal this, when I explained to the gentleman on the phone he said he was sure the department dealing with the charge would understand and take off the penalty of £67.50. So I wrote a letter, explaining the whole situation and that it was by no means an attempt to defraud the system, but a genuine mistake that I assumed I was still entitled to the exemption. I explained that I would happily pay for the check up, however as a single working mum it would place me under financial stress to still pay the fine and requested they would remove it given the circumstances.


They sent quite a nasty reply back, saying it's still owed and I am not entitled to the exemption (which I didn't dispute in my first letter). I was so upset, as I know this was due to my own oversight but I do think the charges are ridiculous specially for people living down to the knuckle. I work full time too just to make ends meet.


Can anyone please advise me on how to move forward to see if I can get this penalty removed? I would even pay double the check up cost but up to six times as much I think is really cruel when the mistake wasn't in any way malicious.


Thank you for any help.

FBaby

The problem is that they probably recieve hundreds of such letter and sorry didn't realise went through difficult time. If they said ok to all of them what would be the point of the penalty as then everyone would take the chance.

marliepanda

The fines are there as a deterrent as much as a 'punishment'

As you admit, it was your fault, however genuine the oversight.

If they just waived the fine every time someone e pleaded hardship/ difficult times, everyone would claim fraudulently, as if they are caught it's 'no loss' if they just pay what they owed in the first place with no penalty.

The fines are there to stop people doing it on purpose.

Guest101

Tworky wrote: »

Hi,


I would like some help in appealing the extortionate NHS penalty charges. I had a check up for £13.50 which I had previously received an NHS Tax Exemption Certificate for, but I didn't realise this had expired due to my income. it was a big oversight on my part, which I know is my fault so please be kind. - You've said it yourself, it's totally your fault and there is no line of appeal. Using words like 'extortionate' is not going to help you, in fact, given it's for NHS treatment and the NHS is strapped for cash, you'll get little sympathy.


I rang the number on the letter to ask an advisor how to appeal this, when I explained to the gentleman on the phone he said he was sure the department dealing with the charge would understand and take off the penalty of £67.50. - I hope not! So I wrote a letter, explaining the whole situation and that it was by no means an attempt to defraud the system - It was, it's up to you to make sure you don't falsely claim for treatment, which you did. , but a genuine mistake that I assumed I was still entitled to the exemption - And how is that the fault of the taxpayer? . I explained that I would happily pay for the check up, however as a single working mum it would place me under financial stress to still pay the fine and requested they would remove it given the circumstances. - What circumstances?


They sent quite a nasty - nasty? i doubt that. reply back, saying it's still owed and I am not entitled to the exemption (which I didn't dispute in my first letter). I was so upset, as I know this was due to my own oversight but I do think the charges are ridiculous specially for people living down to the knuckle. I work full time too just to make ends meet. - it's not ridiculous, it's the law


Can anyone please advise me on how to move forward to see if I can get this penalty removed? -pay it before it escalates I would even pay double the check up cost but up to six times as much I think is really cruel when the mistake wasn't in any way malicious. - And how does anyone know that? How many people claim this?


Thank you for any help.

Pay it before it escalates

TELLIT01

You have acknowledged that the error was entirely your own. I think the penalty charge is a standard amount although it obviously looks a massive fine for a small amount of potential benefit i.e. £13.50.
The person you spoke to initially on the phone should not have given you any indication of the likely outcome of your appeal. That decision is entirely outside their remit.
I very much doubt that anything you try to do or say will reduce the figure.

sheramber

The penalty is laid down in The NHS Penalty Charge Regulations 1999 and is 5 times the original cost up to a maximum of £100.

Tommo1980

Sounds fair to me.

Tom

TELLIT01

sheramber wrote: »

The penalty is laid down in The NHS Penalty Charge Regulations 1999 and is 5 times the original cost up to a maximum of £100.

Thanks for the clarification.

Londonsu

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Thanks for the clarification.

It is certainly made clear on the form people sign to get their free bees


http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Documents/DentalServices/A4_PR_V2.pdf

Racytracy

had a dental checkup (£19) and thought was covered under ESA. They caught up with me, my ESA wrong type; penalty £100 plus £52 for checkup. Got Citizens Advice to help; they called but were told I had to pay penalty in 3 instalments. I did, but forgot the original £52. Now I've been given further penalty of £50 on top of £52; so £150 penalty for what should've been a £19 procedure. I'm on ESA and this is Outrageous. If i was a migrant, I bet this wouldn't have happened as they get everything free. I have made payment arrangements for debts for £1 pm for a £3k debt with no charges. Until I became ill, I was working full time, 35 years and paid my dues. Robbers

Bogalot

Racytracy wrote: »

had a dental checkup (£19) and thought was covered under ESA. They caught up with me, my ESA wrong type; penalty £100 plus £52 for checkup. Got Citizens Advice to help; they called but were told I had to pay penalty in 3 instalments. I did, but forgot the original £52. Now I've been given further penalty of £50 on top of £52; so £150 penalty for what should've been a £19 procedure. I'm on ESA and this is Outrageous. If i was a migrant, I bet this wouldn't have happened as they get everything free. I have made payment arrangements for debts for £1 pm for a £3k debt with no charges. Until I became ill, I was working full time, 35 years and paid my dues. Robbers

In this case you have not paid your dues. You have no one to blame but yourself.

Your comment about migrants is downright ignorant - and wrong.