Prescription charges
In this section we look at prescription costs and if you may be required to pay a prescription charge when you order your medical supplies.
In the vast majority of cases we find our customers are exempt from prescription charges, either due to age, a medical exemption card or because of where you live in the UK. At the start it can appear a little confusing so we have summarised all the information you need to know below, plus you can call our dedicated prescription charges team on 0800 526 1777 to find out more.
Note: The information provide on this page is taken for the NHS website where you can find a more comprehensive overview (http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx)
Topics covered
- Free Prescriptions
- Medical Exemption
- Applying for a Medical Exemption Certificate
- Prescription charges
Free Prescriptions
In some situations the NHS will not charge for a prescription, please check the list below and if you meet the criteria then you will not need to pay for prescriptions through Charter.
If at the time of ordering any of the below apply to you then the prescription will have no charge:
- are 60 or over
- are under 16
- are 16-18 and in full-time education
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
- have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
- have a continuing physical disability that prevents you from going out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx
- hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
Also, you are entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
Medical Exemption
If you do not meet the criteria for free prescriptions, it may be that your medical condition means you do not need to pay for prescriptions. Please check through the list below and if you meet the criteria you will need to speak to your GP to get a medical exception certificate and then you will not need to pay for prescriptions through Charter
- a permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy, urostomy) 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 or 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
- a continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person. Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months
Or are undergoing treatment for cancer:
- including the effects of cancer, or
- the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
If you have any questions about Medical Exemption certificates you can call the NHS on – 0300 330 1341 or go to http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx
Applying for a Medical Exemption Certificate
To apply for a medical exemption certificate, ask your doctor for an FP92A form. Your GP will sign the form to confirm that your statement is correct. At your GP's discretion, a member of the practice who has access to your medical records can also sign the form. Your certificate will be valid from one month before the date that the NHS Business Authority receives the application form.
Once you have a medical exemption certificate please call Charter and let us know the details.
Prescriptions charges
If you are required to pay for your prescription costs there are several options available to you. Often the easiest and cost effective way is to purchase a pre-payment card. Full details can be found on the NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/PPC.aspx
Charter will accept direct payment or payment by a pre-payment card and we will discuss this with you when you place an order.
We hope this information has answered you question about prescription charges and Charter. If you have further questions, please call our helpful team on 0800 526 1777
The information on this page is taken from www.nhs.uk in July 2016
Prescription Charges: Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
Prescription charges vary depending on where you live in the UK and where your product is dispensed. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland we will discuss your individual situation with you.
Next steps
It is important we keep our details up to date. At times we might write to you to ask you to update your records however if your situation changes you can contact our prescription charges team on 0800 526 1777 to let us know.
