Prescription exemption cards

[grovesy]

I turned 60 last year but don't get state pension yet! But now get free prescriptions.

 

[Caroline]

I must be one of the lucky ones as when mine ran out it was changed automatically. I'll have to look to see when it runs out again to be safe

 

[robert@fm]

Coincidentally, I got my reminder yesterday. 🙂 So nipped out to the surgery for an FP92A; will fill it out and drop it off on Monday.

 

[nancy boo]

I handed in my form at the beginning of December and haven't heard a thing yet - wondering how long I should wait before trying again? Anyone know how long it should take to come through?

I put mine renewal form in at the beginning of December 2014 and my card arrived mid January 2015 about 6 weeks It was back dated to November when I signed the form.

 

[Northerner]

Well, I still haven't received mine, despite handing the form in to the surgery in early December, so this morning I went and filled another one in. I've been reading alarming tales of people getting fines through the post for prescriptions they have said were exempt, but their card/certifcate had expired. No warning, and no appeal, apparently, despite the fact some people have had this incurable disease for decades and never been warned to renew their exemption

This page gives details of how to apply (only applies in England, elsewhere prescriptions are free anyway):

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/2095.aspx

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Give them a ring Alan and ask where it is.

 

[Copepod]

Helpful page on Diabetes UK website - see http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Living_with_diabetes/Free-prescriptions/

 

[Northerner]

Helpful page on Diabetes UK website - see http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Living_with_diabetes/Free-prescriptions/

Good link Copepod 🙂

If you were registered for a certificate then or have been registered since then you should receive reminders about the need to have an up to date certificate. However, if you did not have a certificate in 2002 then you will not be on the NHS BSA’s system and you will not have received any reminder letters.

Likewise, if you have moved since the last time you registered and did not update them with your address then you will also not have received any reminders.

Well, I was first registered in 2008, haven't moved since then, and have never received a reminder. It's very unfair that they are issuing fines without warnings for people who are exempt by the very nature of their incurable condition

 

[Northerner]

Here's a good blog entry from Gavin, the 'DiAthlete' (who ran from JOG-Land's End in 30 days for JDRF) who has been fined £140 for not having a certificate, despite never being told he needed one in 15 years. He's also started a petition, so please sign and share it (link at the end of the blog post)

http://diathlete.org/lifelong-medical-exemption-certificate/

 

[trophywench]

Good for him! Always said it was stupid. Signed.

Is it a Law? - as in 'ignorance of the Law is no defence' ?

 

[Copepod]

It's a penalty charge, not a fine (which strictly speaking can only be imposed by a court after a person is found guilty).

Just heard on BBC radio news that Diabetes UK has taken up the cases of people with diabetes getting penalty charges for claiming free prescriptions without the right paperwork.

 

[Northerner]

I think that what appalls me, apart from the issuing of penalties in the first place without warning, is the scale of the charge - £100 😱 That's what you get for potentially causing an accident whilst driving using a mobile phone!

 

[Copepod]

Baroness Young was speaking about the issue in BBC Radio 4 Today programme just before 7am. Presenter was appalled by stupidity of situation, too.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

This is on the BBC web site this morning http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31537381

 

[Northerner]

This is on the BBC web site this morning http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31537381

Let's hope they can put enough pressure on to reverse these unfair penalties. I hate the 'statement' they have put out that it is the patient's responsibility to make sure their card is up to date. There must be so many people who were totally unaware they needed one, if they were diagnosed before they brought them in and were never told. They certainly didn't publicise the crackdown very well.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I'm probably not going to be favour for saying this

People sign to say they have an exemption certificate, so it's down to them really isn't it?
I was diagnosed in 1965 and have always known about needing an exemption certificate.

 

[DeusXM]

My issue is the idea that you need to renew the certificate, just in case your chronic incurable condition magically goes away yet mysteriously you still need to pick up insulin and test strips.

 

[Copepod]

If you have your card, which is what you're placing the X in the box to say you have, then you can check the expiry date. It's like EHIC cards, that also last 5 years.

However, while there are campaigns to remind people to renew their EHIC cards, until these past few weeks, I've never seen anything to rimind people to renew their Medical Exemption Certificates.

And while people with type 1 diabetes continue to need insulin etc for the rest of their lives [unless they get a pancreas transplant], several people with type 2 diabetes on these boards have been able to give up medications for diabetes, which means they lose their right to free prescriptions.

 

[Northerner]

My issue is the idea that you need to renew the certificate, just in case your chronic incurable condition magically goes away yet mysteriously you still need to pick up insulin and test strips.

The problem is that the form just says 'diabetes mellitus', so you could be a Type 2 that has come off all medication for diabetes. But I agree, if you have a condition that is always going to need medication, then you should be exempt for as long as exemptions exist.

Anyway, something like 90% of prescriptions are free, and Northern Ireland, who are thinking of re-introducing charges, estimate that they only contribute 3.5% of the costs of the medication supplied.

 

[KookyCat]

Well I was asked for my exemption card today for the first time ever so someone at boots has clearly taken notice given that most of the time they didn't even get me to sign the prescriptions and I believe now they won't get paid if they're not signed. She also had to write down that she'd seen it.