Help with NHS prescriptions penalty charge

Sam01

Hi all! So last week I received am enquiry letter from the NHS Business Services Authority saying that during February, I claimed a free prescription because I ‘have a valid medical exemption certificate’. I didn’t by the way fill out this prescription, someone from my hospital did so on my behalf. The problem is, I don’t have a medical exemption certificate because I was told in the past that I don’t need one because I’m diabetic and have been for the past 6 years (I am now currently 21). But after receiving this letter, it turns out I should have had one all along. And in the letter it says that if I am unable to prove that I am entitled to free nhs prescriptions, I will have to pay a penalty. I was told to apply for a medical exemption certificate and the penalty will be waived. So I went to my gp last week and fill out the application form and have called the NHS BSA today to see if they received the form but was told quite rudely that I must do nothing at this stage and pay the prescription charge. Any advice as to what I should do now guys? 

Thanks in advance.

janer1967

You need to pay for any prescription until you get your exemption card that's what they will have meant to say 

I'm surprised the pharmacy haven't asked to sed your card as normally if you have exemption they record it in the system with an expiry date 

So if you presented  prescription without this they normally ask for proof 

Sam01

janer1967 said:

You need to pay for any prescription until you get your exemption card that's what they will have meant to say 

I'm surprised the pharmacy haven't asked to sed your card as normally if you have exemption they record it in the system with an expiry date 

So if you presented  prescription without this they normally ask for proof 

Thanks for your reply. I'm also so confused. I was told to resolve this issue, I just need to apply for a medical exemption certificate. I went to my GP last week, filled out the form and they said they'll get the doctor to sign it off and it'll be sent off tonight. But I called my GP a few minutes ago and they said they still haven't sent it off and was just rude throughout the phone call. I am absolutely fuming as they admitted to lying. Now if I don't receive this certificate within the next 2 weeks, I will have to pay the fine. All thanks to my GP's incompetency. What can I even do now?

poppy123456

The problem here is that you don't have the exception certificate and it's your responsibility to make sure you do. You can't claim for free prescriptions if you don't have the certificate.

The reason you haven't had a fine previously is because they haven't done the check on you.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/free-prescriptions

Sam01

poppy123456 said:

The problem here is that you don't have the exception certificate and it's your responsibility to make sure you do. You can't claim for free prescriptions if you don't have the certificate.

The reason you haven't had a fine previously is because they haven't done the check on you.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/free-prescriptions

I was told I didn't need one and was never asked by any pharmacist, GP, health professional... whether I have one so I have been stitched up. I was told to resolve this issue, I just need to apply for a medical exemption certificate. I went to my GP last week, filled out the form and they said they'll get the doctor to sign it off and it'll be sent off tonight. But I called my GP a few minutes ago and they said they still haven't sent it off and was just rude throughout the phone call. I am absolutely fuming as they admitted to lying. Now if I don't receive this certificate within the next 2 weeks, I will have to pay the fine. All thanks to my GP's incompetency. What can I even do now?

janer1967

There isn't a lot you can do getting anything from gp takes a while unfortunately and then once sent off it needs processing so doubt it will be sorted in 2 weeks 

You never know they may waiver the penalty bit I doubt it as even if you get the certificate you didn't have one at the time you got the prescription they are charging you for 

All you can do is progress 8t to someone higher up the ladder 

poppy123456

All you can do is contact the NHS Business Services and explain to them what's happened. The issue here is that you siad you had an exemption certificate but you didn't.

Biblioklept

How worrying!! I'd say just be honest with them and explain that you thought you were exempt because of having diabetes I've read they can be quite helpful when people are just open and explain the issue.