i am on a low income but just £5 over the limit to get free prescriptions to pay for my wifes prescriptions is going to put a huge strain on our lives my own prescriptions are also added to our difficulties .i think that i will have to go without my medication so that my wife can have hers .my wife does not work does not claim income support or any benifits at all .any solution will be gratefully recieved
2007-03-22 08:48:03 · 17 answers · asked by peter m 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
This is disgusting to think you have to struggle like this .Could you not ask your doctor to put a few months supply on one prescription .Or think you can also buy a yearly prescription that covers this . In Wales they are doing away with prescription charges all together in April .
2007-03-22 08:55:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
IN ENGLAND : With repeat prescriptions you are looking at a huge bill. It is a shame that you are not on Income Support or Incapacity Benefit as you would be automatically exempt from having to pay the prescription charges.
If you are full time mature students then you can send away for a reduced fee form (covers dentists and hospital visits too).
Apply for a Medical EXEMPTION certificate if she qualifies through having a permanent medical problem that she will have (and need treating) the rest of her life. This means that you pay nothing for the prescription
Failing that, you can apply for a PRE-PAYMENT certificate where you pay a set fee for the year no matter how many items you are prescribed. (It works out cheaper if you are getting more than 5 items in 4 months, or 14 items on prescription in 12 months) Phone 0845 850 0030 to find out the current charge for the certificate.
You dont say how old she is but if she gets Pension Credit GUARANTEED Credit (or you receive it if shes not old enough) then you can get the prescription free just by ticking the box on the prescription.
These forms should all be available from either your local health centre/doctors or the old DHSS (Signing on/dole money) places but you will probably find they have been converted into "ONE Stop Job shops" or some similar poncey title. They still have the same forms behind the desk though. YOU DONT NEED TO BE CLAIMING BENEFITS TO GET THESE FORMS. Check the small print as they systematically alter the qualifying details, exemptions, etc. Otherwise you can get more information on 0845 850 1166 and forms from 08701 555 455.
Useful leaflets to ask for: HC11, FP57, FP95
2007-03-22 15:50:41 · answer #2 · answered by A Teesside Smart**** 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can save a fortune by buying a pre-payment certificate.
Telephone Advice/Order Line 0845 850 0030
They come as 4 monthly or 12 monthly and have no limit to the number of items. PPC will cost you £34.65 and a 12-month PPC £95.30. Your doctor or pharmacist should have advised you before now!
2007-03-22 13:07:25 · answer #3 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the little known sort of loop holes in the NHS prescription rules is...if you are unable to collect your own prescriptions you get them for free.
Another route is to go with pre-payment... it works out a lot cheaper. Ask at the pharmacy.
2007-03-22 08:57:14 · answer #4 · answered by Ann D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have gone through something similar since I recently had a heart attack myself. Talk to the doctor and maybe he can give her a medication that is less expensive. I did that with two of my medications that my insurance didn't cover and my doctor gave me cheaper alternatives. He even gave me some free samples he had in his office that he got from a salesman. I am from the U.S. and I know things are diferent here but I would think there are cheaper medications there also.
2007-03-22 08:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by xox_bass_player_xox 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At the risk of sounding silly, if you are 5£ over the limit for medical assistance programs, why don't you ask for a paycut?
2007-03-22 08:58:18 · answer #6 · answered by ryushinigami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contact your local social secuurity office im sure there will be benefits you are entiltled too also ask your pharmasist as some prescriptions are cheaper to buy over the counter rather than on prescription
2007-03-25 22:54:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a word with your Doctor, I am sure he can give you good advice. Pity you don't live in Wales, we have free prescriptions here for all ages.
2007-03-22 09:05:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of drug companies have their own prescription assistance programs. Contact the manufacturer directly or ask your doctor's staff for help (they usually know more than the doc)
2007-03-22 08:53:36 · answer #9 · answered by getting2old2quick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Enquire about a pre paid prescription card. I know it saves money when you regularly need drugs. Your pharmacist will advise.
2007-03-22 08:53:39 · answer #10 · answered by jet-set 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋