Entitlement ?

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello to all,

Can I ask about entitlement please.

I had to fork out for my 1st lot of Metformin yesterday, add that to the bus fare and it cost me £12-60 in the day.

I have filled out the exemption form and the GPs are sending it off, They say it could take a few weeks.

Are there any other things that I may be entitled to ?

Thanks

Bill Stewardson.

 

[Northerner]

The pharmacy where you got your metformin from should have given you a form so you didn't need to pay whilst you are waiting for your exemption card - be sure to ask for it next time if your card hasn't come through. All your prescriptions are free whilst you are on medication for diabetes, whether it is related to the diabetes or not, so even if you have an unrelated problem any meds for that is also free. The card is backdated to a month before application date.

That's about it - free prescriptions in England 🙂

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Thanks Northerner.

I did go to a chemist who told me to go back to the GPs pharmacy and try there, they charged me knowing I had just been told I am diabetic.

How long do these cards normally take ? Is there an interim way to avoid paying ? I'm taking FIVE lots of Meds a day.

Thanks

Bill Stewardson.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks Northerner.

I did go to a chemist who told me to go back to the GPs pharmacy and try there, they charged me knowing I had just been told I am diabetic.

How long do these cards normally take ? Is there an interim way to avoid paying ? I'm taking FIVE lots of Meds a day.

Thanks

Bill Stewardson.

Hi Bill, yes - details on this site:

https://psnc.org.uk/dispensing-supply/receiving-a-prescription/patient-charges/refunds/

When to issue Prescription refund and receipt forms

• If the patient (or representative) requests one; or
• If the patient (or representative) is unsure whether they are entitled to free prescriptions; or
• If the patient (or representative) has applied or will be applying for a prescription charge exemption certificate or prepayment certificate.

 

[mikeyB]

Hi Bill, just to say that it won't take "a few weeks", in my experience when living in England that's best described as a week or two.

Might even be quicker in the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire.🙂

 

[trophywench]

..... and eventually Bill (unless you attain State Pension age before this one expires) - you have to remember to renew the thing.

 

[pav]

The chemist should give you a FP57 refund receipt for any prescriptions issued while your application for the exemption certificate is being sorted out. Once you have the exemption certificate you can reclaim any prescription charges you have paid for to the the starting date on the exemption certificate.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/medical-exemption-certificates

 

[Copepod]

As well as free prescriptions, you won't have to pay for eye checks at optician.

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Thanks all.

Bill.