The cost of prescriptions is rising again this year, with those who pay having to find an extra 30p per item from April 1. The hike - from £9.35 to £9.65 - is an increase of 3.2% overall and is the first rise in two years after the price was frozen last April for the first time in 12 years due to the cost of living crisis.
Although England is the only country in the UK that still charges for prescriptions, with patients in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland getting theirs free, nearly 90% of prescriptions dispensed are free of charge, according to Government figures, and many are not aware that they might not need to pay for their medicines if they fall into certain groups.
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We've come up with a step-by-step guide to ensure that you're not paying more than you need to for any prescriptions you might need. You can also check the NHS Eligibility Checker here.
Step 1 - Do you qualify for an exemption from paying?
More people than you may think are entitled to completely free prescriptions, and it's not just those on a low income or getting benefits. Everyone under 18 can get free prescriptions as long as they are in full-time education and all people over 60. If are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months you also don't need to pay if you have a maternity exemption certificate.
The following benefits also entitle you to free prescriptions.
Income-based benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension credits:
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit
You may also be entitled to free prescriptions under certain circumstances if you claim the following:
Tax credits:
If you have an income used to calculate your tax credits of £15,276 or less, and get any of these tax credits:
- Child Tax Credit,
- Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit paid together
- Working Tax Credit including a disability element or severe disability element
If you get Working Tax Credit only, or have an income over £15,276, you don't automatically get help paying NHS costs, although you could still get help through the Low Income Scheme (see below).
Universal Credit:
Not everyone getting Universal Credit is entitled to help with their health costs, as your entitlement depends on your take-home pay in the last assessment period. You can have a look at at the NHS's Universal Credit page to check if you are entitled to help.
Step 2 - Do you have a medical condition that entitles you to free prescriptions?
Certain medical conditions entitle you to free prescriptions but you'll need to get a medical exemption certificate from your GP first. Cancer, some forma of diabetes and some epilepsy sufferers can all be exempt from paying and you can find the fill list of what conditions qualify here.
Patients with one of the specified medical conditions need to apply for a medical exemption certificate from their GP. Ask your doctor for an FP92A form to apply for one. and they will sign the form to confirm that your statement is correct. The certificate will be valid from one month before the date the NHS Business Services Authority receives the application form and lasts for five years before it needs to be renewed.
Step 3 - Do you have a low income?
If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help. How much help you get depends on your weekly income and outgoings, plus any savings or investments you have at the time you apply. If the amount you have left is low, you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme and if you have already paid for treatment, you can apply for a refund at the same time as you apply for the scheme.
Anyone can apply as long as they do not have savings or investments over a certain limit. You cannot get help if you or your partner (or both) have more than:
- £16,000 in savings, investments or property (not including the place where you live)
- £23,250 in savings, investments or property if you live permanently in a care home
The NHS is currently trialling a new service where some people can apply online for the NHS Low Income Scheme. You can only apply online if you do not have capital or savings of over £6,000.. To apply by post you'll need to complete an HC1 form and send it to the address on the form. You can order an HC1 form online, or download an HC1 form (PDF, 451KB) and print it yourself. It may also be available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or hospital. A doctor, dentist or optician may also be able to give you one.
Step 4 - Can you save money by buying over the counter?
If you're prescribed common medication such as painkillers or dermatology creams that are also available over the counter, often it's cheaper to buy them that way rather than pay for a prescription. Aqueous cream, for instance, can be a third of the price of a prescription if you buy it over the counter at a pharmacy. However, if your doctor gives you a prescription for a bulk order, it may be cheaper, so check.
Also consider generic medicines rather than big brand versions. Like supermarket own label food, you can save a lot by ditching brands and going for own-label counterparts. It's a medicine's active ingredient that matters, although watch out if you have allergies, as ingredients can differ between branded and generic drugs. For instance, Tesco Children's Paracetamol 2 months plus is £1 cheaper than Calpol Sugar Free at £3.30 and in Boots, you can either buy Lemsip Max at £5.20 for 10 sachets or Boots Max Strength Cold and Flu Relief ar £3.49 - or £2.30 if you're an Advantage Card holder.
Step 5 - If you have to pay, would a season ticket save you money?
According to Money Saving Expert, more than one million people in England missed out on savings of around £40 in the 12 months leading up to this April because they didn't buy a prescriptions season ticket. The three-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) is going up from £30.25 to £31.25, and a 12-month PPC will increase from £108.10 to £111.60 from April 1, but you'll still save money of you need more than three prescriptions in three months or more than 11 in 12 months.
Once you have paid for a season ticket, you can collect as many prescriptions as you need without paying the £9.65 fee.
You can buy a season ticket online, over the phone on 0300 330 1341, or at many pharmacies. It can be paid for by card or by direct debit and you can pay for a 12-month PPC in monthly instalments. If you've paid for prescriptions while waiting for your season ticket to arrive, you can use an NHS FP57 refund form (ask the pharmacy or dispensary which dispenses your prescription for one) to get your money back.
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- DWP major benefit payment changes in pipeline for millions of sick and disabled people
- Cost of living: A five-step plan to get debt free in 2023
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