NHS - ESA, Unpaid Dental Fee and Penalty Charge

TELLIT01

The OP's father may want to try complaining to the practice manager about the 'advice' provided by the receptionist. It may not stop the fine but will hopefully stop others being given the same.

bspm

Darksparkle wrote: »

They won’t accept a challenge based on misadvice from dental practice. It’s the claimants responsibility to check their entitlement.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/challenge-penalty-charge-notice

They did for me a few years ago, although after explaining the problem to my Dentist she said if I had to pay the fine then they would reimburse me. Like I said it was a few years ago now but the fine was waived and I paid the dental charges only willingly.

Ames

bspm wrote: »

They did for me a few years ago, although after explaining the problem to my Dentist she said if I had to pay the fine then they would reimburse me. Like I said it was a few years ago now but the fine was waived and I paid the dental charges only willingly.

There does seem to have been a big crackdown lately, there are frequent threads about it and appeals don't seem to be getting anywhere now.

I did email MSE a few weeks ago thinking they could highlight the issue but didn't get a response, the form did say it had to be your own story though.

Darksparkle

bspm wrote: »

They did for me a few years ago, although after explaining the problem to my Dentist she said if I had to pay the fine then they would reimburse me. Like I said it was a few years ago now but the fine was waived and I paid the dental charges only willingly.

I’d imagine it’s highly unlikely to be accepted in the majority of cases as there would be no proof. They won’t just take your word for it and I don’t imagine most practices would accept the blame.

People should just read what they sign.

bspm

Darksparkle wrote: »

I’d imagine it’s highly unlikely to be accepted in the majority of cases as there would be no proof. They won’t just take your word for it and I don’t imagine most practices would accept the blame.

People should just read what they sign.

Might be the case yes, however my Dentist, who I have visited for over 34 years was in the room at the time when the Nurse asked if I was in receipt of any benefits,, I said I was recently awarded ESA (very new to it) so she told me to 'just sign here' very similar to the paper that is normally put in front of you after treatment, I never questioned it thinking, wrongly, that she knew something I didn't.

As already said it was a few years ago, possibly four, maybe Dental staff are more aware now, ours certainly were not but they were soon informed on the correct procedures after my mess.

daz196969

I've just received the same yesterday £20 for what I'm not sure as I went 5 times didn't really do anything I had anti biotics on trip one cos I was in so much pain ( I was surprised I was still on their system) that's it apart from discussing future work as I hate dentists and this was the first time I'd been in 10 years. They've added £100 charge I didn't sign anything this time around receptionist asked me each time if I'm on benefits I said yes esa and pip they said ok that's fine with polish accent every time. They seemed nice people all the support staff were 8 reception staff and about a dozen assistants all eastern European.luke I say that never bothered me but I do feel they've stitched me up ok just glad I was too scared to go ahead with a lot of treatment that is still required as I never go.It took a lot of confidence to go these 5 times.... I'll never go again.

poppy12345

daz196969 wrote: »

I've just received the same yesterday £20 for what I'm not sure as I went 5 times didn't really do anything I had anti biotics on trip one cos I was in so much pain ( I was surprised I was still on their system) that's it apart from discussing future work as I hate dentists and this was the first time I'd been in 10 years. They've added £100 charge I didn't sign anything this time around receptionist asked me each time if I'm on benefits I said yes esa and pip they said ok that's fine with polish accent every time. They seemed nice people all the support staff were 8 reception staff and about a dozen assistants all eastern European.luke I say that never bothered me but I do feel they've stitched me up ok just glad I was too scared to go ahead with a lot of treatment that is still required as I never go.It took a lot of confidence to go these 5 times.... I'll never go again.

Claiming Contributions based ESA doesn't entitle you to free prescriptions. Income Related does. It's not their responsibility to know if you're entitle to free prescriptions or not, it's yours. If you tick a box saying you're entitled when you're not you risk them catching up with you and a fine through your door.



It sounds like you're claiming Contributions based ESA. If so then you can fill in a HC1 form that will entitle you to free prescriptions if you're on low income.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

TELLIT01

There is an advert currently running on radio warning people that they don't automatically qualify for free prescriptions just because they are on benefits and it gives a website to check. That same ad also says that doctors receptionists can also advise!

clairec79

My dental receptionist has only recently stopped asking me if I'm still entitled to free care - despite the fact that I was only entitled to free dentistry for pregnancy reasons and he's now 7.