Is is possible to get exemption from paying for prescriptions??

[Lorrie]

[andreafm]

Hi Lorrie

Strangely enough I have just renewed mine yesterday.

Behcets is not on the list of conditions for excemption from paying prescriptions. However, if you are incapable of going to the chemist yourself and rely on someone else you can have an excemption.

I have had an excemption for many years [approx 10-15years] because I am disabled and my husband needs to go to the chemist for me.

[I was also diagnosed with Myasthenia in 2007/8 which is an excemption condition]

You need to get your G.P to assist by filling out a form to say you are incapable of going to the chemist yourself.

Other than that you can purchase a yearly one at a discount price - but you would have to work out if it would benefit you with the amount of medicines you use

Hope this helps

Andrea

[toothfairy]

Hi Lorrie,

just to echo what Andrea has said really. I did try for an exemption some years ago, and was unsuccessful. I still feel its unfair when the majority of us rely on the meds just as much as a Diabetic would. But hey, thats how it goes - maybe its something that could be campaigned about.

You can ,as has been said, buy a Pre-payment certificate. These don't need to be paid for all at once,; they can be three monthly; monthly - direct debit; or if you are feeling flush, yearly. They can work out a lot cheaper than paying for your repeat prescription, - I think with todays' prices you will need to have to have two items a month or more to break even. They also cover you for ANY other prescriptions you might get, not just repeats. So sweet talk your GP or Practice Nurse for things you might be paying for now - Aqueous cream or Heel Balm for example.

Its also worth bearing in mind that if you are on benefits, you may be eligible for free prescriptions, but check entitlement first before claiming.

[devonshiredumpling]

Same as Toothfairy - can't get exemption (and I can't get to the chemist either). We prepay yearly and it saves us a lot of money. My doc is brilliant about prescribing everything he can.

On a similar topic, my catheters come direct to my door each month because they're dealt with by a third party. I get little freebies with them too, like toilet bags, hand cleaners, medi-wipes (brilliant for cleaning the toilet seat!) and stuff.

I get quite bitter when I think about the amount of meds I take on a regular basis and the fact that I am not exempt.

[andreafm]

Hi there

It makes me mad as well even though I am one of the lucky one's [or not-whichever way you look at it] I am in a wheelchair most of the time and have been since the 1990's.

I don't see why prescriptions shouldn't be that you pay one fee for the whole prescription and not each item.

What are you supposed to do if you can't afford it....takes some of the items off that the G.P has prescribed....rediculous situation

Andrea

[devonshiredumpling]

I've just emailed the GP about something else (skin!) and asked him about proof of my problems with getting scripts. Maybe we can sort something out - it's worth a try at least.

[Hidden]

I am lucky enough to still manage to work 16hrs a week within my family business doing the accounts, as I can work from home if I need to and as I am a single Mum with 1 child I am eligable for working and child tax credits. This means I get a tax credit exemption certificate for prescriptions as I earn under a certain amount.

I think it is bad that only certain illnesses are eligable for a medical exemption certificate.

I currently have 16 different prescription items and at £7 odd pounds each that prescriptions are that would work out at over £100.00 per month. I certainally couldn't afford to shell out that sort of money each month.

It makes me cross that some illnesses are free prescriptions and some don't. How the hell does that work? x x

[andreafm]

If anyone is interested these are the conditions/circumstances that allow an exemption. I got it from the NHS website

=======================================================================

Medical Exemption

People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if:

they have one of the conditions listed below; and

they hold a valid Medical Exemption Certificate.

Medical Exemption Certificates are issued on application to people who have:

A permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance

A form of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential

Diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism

Diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone

Hypoparathyroidism

Myasthenia gravis

Myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)

Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy

A continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person.

Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months

Or are undergoing treatment for cancer:

including the effects of cancer; or

the effects of current or previous cancer treatment

=======================================================================

The one that may allow people with Behcets to have exemption is the

"A continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person"

It could be any physical disability that stops you from going out without another person. i.e eyesight, mobility etc

I also feel it is an unfair system but do not agree that everyone should have FREE prescriptions. Some years ago we used to pay one fee for the whole lot but over the years it has changed to per item and gone up and up.

Here is a link to the history of prescription charges

politics.co.uk/reference/nh...

As you will see no government has been able to sustain the horrendous fee incurred for free prescriptions.

It will be interesting to see how long free presciptions will be given for all in N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Sorry....good bed time reading

Andrea

[andreafm]

Absolutely sarah-lou

I have no problem with you having a view and I too wish prescriptions could be free to all and also dentists which us with behcets have to have because of our condition and the glasses too because of our eyesight.

I was just giving everyone the information as to what conditions are excempt and why they are not free now. I wasn't defending it as I too think the system is very unfair

Sorry if it came accross wrong

[andreafm]

yeah mate

don't worry about it..I know how you feel because I feel exactly the same. I am just trying to get through it all myself. The financial aspect is a real worry and you have a right to be bl*****dy upset.

I had to retire from work that I loved and was good at in 2000 and my husband took redundancy around the same time to look after me. He now works part time from home supporting people in the tribunals with their employment rights and also does a few hours in afternoons/evening at the airport doing meet and greet. He likes this as it gets him out of the house for a while.

Life is very different for us now and I know this is the same for a lot of us.

Hope things work out for you

Andrea