Who is exempt from prescription charges in uk

People in higher age groups are more likely to have long term conditions than people in other age cohorts, some of which would qualify as disabilities.

People in this age group are also more likely to be diagnosed and treated for various cancers, but this is a current ground for entitlement to exemption.

Research has shown that, as the UK population is ageing, larger numbers of people aged 52 to 69 years are dropping out of or reducing the amount of time in paid work due to family or other personal caring responsibilities See the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, University College London and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The table below shows the economic activity of this cohort along with the cohort below and above 60 to year olds:.

Among these groups there will be a distribution of high-income earners and people on high earning pensions who will have little difficulty paying for prescriptions. However, there will also be people on low incomes or working part time who may struggle to pay for all their prescriptions. Among those not working due to being disabled or looking after family there will also be people who might struggle to pay for prescriptions.

This will be those who have a low income but who do not qualify for either another exemption related to a medical condition or a qualifying benefit. However, the NHS LIS is in place to protect those most in need who do not qualify for another exemption; and PPCs are available to all, which also reduce the cost for higher users of prescriptions.

When the age exemption from the prescription charge was first established it was aligned with the SPA , which is no longer the case. In the following years, life expectancy has increased, and more people aged 60 and over are living healthier lives for longer; and many, though not all see Table 1, above , remain in work up to SPA or beyond.

While the proposed change to the upper age exemption would have a financial impact on people in older age groups up to age 66, improved health and continuing employment means these effects would be lessened.

Increasing the age exemption would also prevent costs for the NHS being passed to younger generations. People aged under 16 or under 19 if in full time education are also exempt from prescription charges on grounds of their age. People who have undergone gender reassignment will not be affected any differently to other patient groups as any changes would apply to all people regardless of their gender.

People of differing sexual orientation will not be affected any differently to other patient groups as any changes would apply to all people regardless of their sexual orientation. People with religions or beliefs, or no religion will not be affected any differently to other patient groups as any changes would apply to all people regardless of their religion, or religious beliefs.

People who are married or in a civil partnership will not be affected any differently to other patient groups as any changes would apply to all people regardless of their marital status. Others may experience financial hardship through having to take on caring responsibilities, but as stated previously, other exemptions from prescription charges, such as being in receipt of certain benefits, are in place to support those most in need.

Greater social deprivation is a key factor in health, with those people living in more severe levels of poverty experiencing poorer health outcomes than those in less deprived circumstances see the ONS Health state life expectancies by national deprivation deciles, England: to Those people who are impacted by the increase to the age exemption may also suffer increased hardship if they are required to pay for their prescriptions for longer.

However, as set out above, other exemptions are available to protect the most vulnerable. Greater levels of deprivation and associated poorer health outcomes may lead to a need for a larger number of prescriptions.

The mean annual prescription use was just over 40 items per year among people aged 60 to 64 in the decile with the highest deprivation, compared to just under 25 items per year in the least deprived decile.

This means people towards the bottom of the income distribution use more prescriptions to maintain good health. This will add to the inequality effects of this policy change because not only will the low-income users struggle to pay prescription charges, they will have more prescriptions to pay for compared to people at the top of the income distribution.

People impacted by the proposed changes whose incomes are towards the lower end of the income distribution who struggle to afford all their prescriptions may not adhere fully to their medication, which could result in future health problems for the individual and a subsequent cost to the NHS. However, as mentioned above, exemptions from charge are in place to protect those who are most in need; and schemes such as the NHS LIS and PPCs are available to those who are not exempt.

If people who had been exempt from charge previously, or who were expecting to become exempt at age 60, do not understand the change in arrangements, they may not pay for a prescription believing themselves to be exempt and subsequently receive a Penalty Charge Notice PCN. This could lead to financial hardship. To reduce the chance of this type of misunderstanding, we will promote information about the changes and encourage people to be aware of any impacts they may have, working with NHS BSA and NHS England and Improvement.

Family and other household members of people impacted by the change to the upper age exemption may also be affected financially, if the changes lead to or create financial difficulties.

There could also be an impact if a person impacted directly by the changes is deterred from taking their medication as prescribed and becomes ill. However, other exemptions and support for the most vulnerable are in place. People living in rural areas will not be affected any differently to other patient groups as any changes would apply to all people regardless of the location of their home.

Two thirds of all items were exempt because the patient was aged 60 years or older. Prescription use varies, and those with higher levels of use are more likely to take out a PPC in order to cap the cost. Approximately half of the 60 and over cohort used more than 12 items per year and therefore are high users; this group had a mean use of 34 items per year.

Table 2 below shows the average cost of prescriptions in a year for high and low users depending on how the prescriptions are paid for. This means that the costs quoted in the table above are likely to be an overestimate because people who retain a medical or income-related exemption are likely to use more prescriptions.

An increase to the upper age exemption could generate additional revenue for NHS frontline services. This amount is dependent upon various factors including:. There are other potential impacts on costs, including health related costs, of raising the upper age exemption and are explored further in the impact assessment.

To enable us to take into account your views on these proposals, please answer the following questions which can be found in the online questionnaire that accompanies this consultation. If the prescription charge exemption age is raised to State Pension age should people in the age groups 60 to 65 at the date of change retain their existing exemption?

Do you think there will be any unintended consequences that a raise in the upper age exemption could have on people, pharmacies or other organisations? Do you think that aligning the upper age exemption with State Pension age could have a differential impact on particular groups of people or communities? Do you think that aligning the upper age exemption with State Pension age could adversely impact people from deprived backgrounds or between disadvantaged geographical areas?

This consultation is open for a period of 8 weeks and we welcome responses from members of the public, prescribers, pharmacists and other interested parties. Paper prescription forms FP10 are still in use alongside the Electronic Prescription System EPS and if the upper age exemption for prescription charges changes, system changes would be needed to enable continued accurate prescription processing and checking the validity of exemptions claimed.

This means that a significant number of operational changes would need to be made including:. These changes will take time to implement and in the event of any changes, the department would ensure guidance is issued to people, pharmacists and prescribers to help them understand changes and to help people avoid incorrectly claiming a prescription charge exemption.

If a change is brought in which offers protection for those within the age range 60 to 65, when the amending regulations come into force, then prescribing system amendments and clear guidance will be needed to ensure that this population can correctly claim their exemption. Physiotherapy If you have a musculoskeletal problem, you can refer yourself direct to physiotherapy. Contraception info Read all the background info about all of the forms of contraception currently available.

Seafarer medicals We are an MCA-approved centre for performing seafarer medicals. Forms Complete an online form or download for completion. The scheme operates in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

There is a different scheme in Scotland: Best Start Foods. Those who will display this sign include milkmen, greengrocers, market stalls, chemists, corner shops and supermarkets. You qualify automatically for the scheme if you fit into any one of the groups mentioned below. You can apply for the vouchers by filling in the form on the healthy start website , or by phoning the Healthy Start Helpline In time, the current vouchers will be replaced by e-vouchers and prepaid cards.

You can get help with fares or other travel expenses for yourself and anyone who needs to travel with you if you are incapable of getting to hospital on your own. You can also get help if you need to accompany a child. The cost covered is normally that by the cheapest method of transport available. If you cannot use public transport because of your disability, you can claim the cost of taxi fares or the cost of car fuel you should get the agreement of the hospital first. You and your partner are entitled to full help with fares or other travel expenses if you have a valid HC2 certificate full help with health costs under the Low Income scheme.

If you are on a low income, you can get full or partial help with all NHS charges, including prescription charges, by completing form HC1, available from NHS hospitals, dentists, opticians and pharmacists, by phoning or from the NHS Business Services Authority. Young care leavers maintained by a local authority and people living permanently in a care home funded wholly or partly by a local authority are entitled to an HC2 certificate by making a claim under the Low Income scheme without having to satisfy the means test.

Asylum seekers and their dependants supported by the government should automatically be issued with HC2 certificates. The assessment process to work out if you are entitled to either an HC2 certificate or an HC3 certificate is similar to that for income support but is slightly more generous in the treatment of housing costs for example. For more information, see our Disability Rights Handbook.

You can apply for a refund if you pay for a prescription item or service that you could have received free, or at a reduced cost. For a refund of dental charges, ask your dentist for form FP64 or a receipt that shows the amount of the NHS charge and the date you paid.

You will also need to complete an HC5 refund form. For sight test refunds ask the person who tests your sight for a receipt that shows that you paid for the test and the date of payment. Complete an HC5 refund form , making sure you put the date of your sight test on it.

Health Authorities, hospitals and GPs can provide various items of equipment and appliances such as special beds, commodes, urinals, continence pads, special footwear, leg appliances, surgical supports, wheelchair and hearing aids. The NHS Business Services Authority has provided an eligibility checker which can advise you whether or not you are automatically exempt from an NHS charge and what you need to do to apply for help. You can get help and information at your local advice centre, such as Citizens Advice.

You can get more information about where to get personal advice from our Factsheet F15 - Getting advice. All our factsheets are free to download. Sign up for our E news. Factsheets and Guides.