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NHS prescriptions Exemptions for the Disabled.
You can get free NHS prescriptions if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:
* A permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance.
* A form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison's Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential.
* Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
* Diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
* Hypoparathyroidism
* Myasthenia gravis
* Myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
* Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy.
* You have a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person.
Only the conditions listed count. If you are unsure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor.
You can also get free NHS sight tests if you:
* Are a diagnosed glaucoma patient.
* Are aged 40 or over and are the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person with diagnosed glaucoma
* Have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma.
* Are a diagnosed diabetic.
Getting your medical exemption certificate.
To apply for a medical exemption (Medex) certificate, ask your doctor for Form FP92A. The form tells you what to do. Your GP, hospital or service doctor (or at the GP's discretion a member of the GP's practice who can access your medical records) will sign the form to confirm your statement.
The certificate will start one month before the date that the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) receives the application form. Your exemption certificate will be posted to you.
Medical exemption certificates normally last for five years and then need to be renewed. You may receive a reminder that your certificate needs to be renewed, but if not, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is renewed.
Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC)
If you are not entitled to free prescriptions and you think you will have to pay for more than 5 items in 4 months or 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
Phone 0845 850 0030 to find out the cost of a PPC.
You can also pay by credit or debit card by ringing this number.
You can also buy on-line via the NHSBSA website at www.ppa.org.uk
For payment by cheque or postal order, get Form FP95 from your pharmacy - the form tells you what to do. Or find the form at: www.dh.gov.uk/helpwithhealthcosts
Other benefits
Such as Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance, do not entitle you to help with health costs.
This is because they are not income related. If you have to pay health costs, check to see if you are in any of the other groups.
* If you are under 16 (under 25 in Wales): OR
* If you are under 19 and in full-time education: OR
* If you are aged 60 or over: OR
* If you (or your partner) gets one of the following:
* ... Income Support.
* ... Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
* ... Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
* If you have an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
* Some war pensioners - if treatment is connected with the pensionable disability.
* People on a low income who have a certificate HC2
This is more of an overview than a complete statement of the exemptions, and is correct at Jan 2007.
For further details check out the leaflet HC11 at the Prescription Payments Authority website, the leaflet is available in various languages. Links can be found here: Help with Health Costs - HC11
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