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Free Prescriptions

Trevstanx
Posts: 66 Forumite
Hi all little question.
For the last year I have used a PPC to get my prescriptions and ticked box F.
I canceled my PPC a week ago due to my partner receiving Income Support for me and herself.
So I filled in my prescription today ticked box H put my partners details (name, dob and ni) as she is the person who gets the benefit.
When I got home I noticed the sticker on the bag of medication has " PMR EXEMPTION F" underneath my name and address.
A bit googling and I have found out PMR means "Patient Medical Record" is that just the pharmacy's records?
Should I be worried since I filled in the prescription correctly? Do they check the prescription you filled in when doing checks?
Thanks.
For the last year I have used a PPC to get my prescriptions and ticked box F.
I canceled my PPC a week ago due to my partner receiving Income Support for me and herself.
So I filled in my prescription today ticked box H put my partners details (name, dob and ni) as she is the person who gets the benefit.
When I got home I noticed the sticker on the bag of medication has " PMR EXEMPTION F" underneath my name and address.
A bit googling and I have found out PMR means "Patient Medical Record" is that just the pharmacy's records?
Should I be worried since I filled in the prescription correctly? Do they check the prescription you filled in when doing checks?
Thanks.
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Comments
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Hi all little question.
For the last year I have used a PPC to get my prescriptions and ticked box F.
I canceled my PPC a week ago due to my partner receiving Income Support for me and herself.
So I filled in my prescription today ticked box H put my partners details (name, dob and ni) as she is the person who gets the benefit.
When I got home I noticed the sticker on the bag of medication has " PMR EXEMPTION F" underneath my name and address.
A bit googling and I have found out PMR means "Patient Medical Record" is that just the pharmacy's records?
Should I be worried since I filled in the prescription correctly? Do they check the prescription you filled in when doing checks?
Thanks.
Exemption F is indeed PPC it may be that the pharmacy have not updated your details - however NHSBSA the body that looks at exemptions will base their findings on the exemption you claim when filling out the back of the prescription and signing the declaration not what you could claim exemption for or what you have claimed in the past if you have ticked H it will be your entitlement under exemption H they will look at - more details on this link and yes they do check - not all prescriptions but a good few
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions
I would go back to the pharmacy and ask that your computer details are updated - but you should be ok0 -
In about a month I have had a number of changes to how my prescriptions are paid. (WTC, Prepayment to cover gap, medical exemption and then low income scheme)
I phoned the chemist to give them new details and ask them to update my info on the computer. (Most of my prescriptions are delivered so I don't fill in the form on the back)
I am very anxious about 'not doing things right' and getting a fine so it just sets my mind at ease.
If you are worried , I say give them a ring. It may just be that there computer still has the old code and they haven't noticed the difference.0 -
Well I rang the pharmacy and explained I ticked box H and at the bottom of the sticker it said F still.
She said she'd update the computer to H, She mentioned my PPC was still valid anyways but told her I canceled that.
I mentioned that I hope I don't get an unexpected fine she said I won't as I'm entitled to free prescriptions anyways.
Is the computer at the pharmacy just for their records so they can sign off the prescriptions electronically? So the NHSBSA won't see that all they see if the prescription?
If the pharmacy has claimed my script as F when/if the NHSBSA do their checks will they check to see if I am entitled to free prescriptions anyways when they see my PPC has expired? (i.e Check the back of the prescription I filled in, Check other avenues to see if I am entitled)
If a fine does happen to appear through my door due to them claiming box F no doubt they'll squish it due to me being entitled to free prescriptions anyway due to being in receipt of Income Support at the time?
As you can tell I am anxious that I don't get a fine due to no fault of my own.
Thanks.0 -
Well I rang the pharmacy and explained I ticked box H and at the bottom of the sticker it said F still.
She said she'd update the computer to H, She mentioned my PPC was still valid anyways but told her I canceled that.
I mentioned that I hope I don't get an unexpected fine she said I won't as I'm entitled to free prescriptions anyways.
Is the computer at the pharmacy just for their records so they can sign off the prescriptions electronically? So the NHSBSA won't see that all they see if the prescription?
If the pharmacy has claimed my script as F when/if the NHSBSA do their checks will they check to see if I am entitled to free prescriptions anyways when they see my PPC has expired? (i.e Check the back of the prescription I filled in, Check other avenues to see if I am entitled)
If a fine does happen to appear through my door due to them claiming box F no doubt they'll squish it due to me being entitled to free prescriptions anyway due to being in receipt of Income Support at the time?
As you can tell I am anxious that I don't get a fine due to no fault of my own.
Thanks.
Hi as I already posted in my reply to you the NHSBSA only look at the exemption you claimed when presenting your prescription, so yes they only check the back of the prescription where you ticked the box and signed the declaration they don't trawl through other data bases like the DWP or HMRC to see if you you are exempt for any other reason so if a person is fined for using the wrong exemption reason it would be up to them to present proof of any other exemptions when appealing the fine.
As for the computer records certainly if you are part of the EPS scheme where you nominate a pharmacy who then manage your repeat prescriptions you would be on their data base but I as far as I am aware that is not shared with the business side of the NHS so they would only see the prescription.0 -
Thanks your a star.0
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