Help with NHS prescriptions penalty charge
Sam01
Community member Posts: 36 Connected
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.
0
Comments
-
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 proof0 -
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 proof0 -
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.
0 -
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.0
-
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 ladder0 -
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.
0 -
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.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 13.6K Start here and say hello!
- 6.7K Coffee lounge
- 50 Games den
- 1.6K People power
- 30 Community noticeboard
- 20.9K Talk about life
- 4.8K Everyday life
- 2.2K Families and carers
- 794 Education and skills
- 1.7K Work
- 382 Money and bills
- 3.2K Housing and independent living
- 805 Transport and travel
- 626 Relationships
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 2.2K Talk about your impairment
- 834 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
- 885 Neurological impairments and pain
- 1.8K Cerebral Palsy Network
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 33.5K Talk about your benefits
- 5.4K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.8K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 5.6K Universal Credit (UC)
- 4.7K Benefits and income