Paying retrospective prescription charges

Londonsu

jellie wrote: »

For the sake of anyone reading, with hypothyroidism all prescriptions are free, regardless of whether it is thyroid related or not.

Only with a valid medical exemption card

moneyspendexpert

I received a penalty charge for providing correct but incorrect reasons on a recent prescription. I claim working tax credit with low income so I ticked the relevent box for entitlement to free prescription.

Turns out I should have a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate, which I don't and have not been sent one or advised about one (I have a Tax Credit award notice).

Yet, the NHS webpage (http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts) states I don't need an HC1 or certificate if:

named on, or entitled to, an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate

I find the information on the back of these prescriptions and the NHS websites both complicated and contradicting.

Londonsu

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

I received a penalty charge for providing correct but incorrect reasons on a recent prescription. I claim working tax credit with low income so I ticked the relevent box for entitlement to free prescription.

Turns out I should have a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate, which I don't and have not been sent one or advised about one (I have a Tax Credit award notice).

Yet, the NHS webpage (http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts) states I don't need an HC1 or certificate if:

named on, or entitled to, an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate

I find the information on the back of these prescriptions and the NHS websites both complicated and contradicting.

No its quite clear
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Documents/HealthCosts/Tax_Credits_flowchart_April_2014.pdf


If you are entitled to a med ex due to tax credits you are automatically sent a one and need to show it when you get your prescription if you don't get one due to it not being paid into your bank account you need to show your award letter you missed that bit out not sure why its written on there.

jellie

Londonsu wrote: »

Only with a valid medical exemption card

The chemist I use doesn't ask to see my card - they make the connection themselves.

Londonsu

jellie wrote: »

The chemist I use doesn't ask to see my card - they make the connection themselves.

Then they are not doing their job, although I think you will find they just tick the evidence not seen area on the back of your prescription, I take it you do actually have a valid card with the correct valid from and to date on if so you wont get fined, but if you don't then its you who will be responsible for the fine not your pharmacist.


I agree for a prescription for thyroxine only having to have a card is silly when its free anyway although it should be shown if you are getting other medication and claiming under your medex card, nor do I understand why as it is a lifelong condition you have to renew it every 5 years but those are the rules if you want your free prescription


But seriously the card is a credit size one and can be carried in a purse or wallet, is it REALLY too much trouble to take it out when presenting your prescription and showing it to the pharmacist

dippy3103

I have a prepayment card. My local chemist don't usually ask to see it, but then they see me every few weeks, so know me.

Londonsu

dippy3103 wrote: »

I have a prepayment card. My local chemist don't usually ask to see it, but then they see me every few weeks, so know me.

You may have a patient medical record with them and it may be already entered on there they would put your details including the expiry date and they should check their computer every time they fill out a prescription - not sure if the PMR is just for people who use the pharmacy for repeat prescriptions so they have their own records, I have a paper prescription as I don't know from one day to the next if I will be in Ryde, Shanklin or Newport or even on the mainland so not going to tie myself down to one pharmacy.