Prescription costs

[Gooneruk]

Hi, I've lived with lupus for more than 25 years, most of my major issues have been caused by blood clots, infarction to lungs and heart as well as dvt and pe, I've had a mitral valve replacement and just had a difribualtor fitted, I've worked and paid for my prescription charges via a pre payment cirtificate, however the nhs didn't renew it last time as I was 6 months away from being 60, trouble is they didn't bother telling me, so I'm now getting fines and prescription costs for the 3 months I've been without a cirtificate, will total about £500, I've spoken to them today and basically that's just the way it is seems to be the attitude I'm getting, I'm so angry, to rub salt into the wound, I've been doing some research today and found out I could have got a medical exemption for hyperthyroidism, as years of steroid treatment have left my adrenal gland unable to produce cortisone, I've put this on here as I need to vent 🤬

[Star13]

vent away, I really feel for you! I think it’s absolutely disgusting that people like you with chronic health conditions cannot get a medical exemption. It’s about time that whole system was over hauled. Can you get your GP to intervene or write a letter for you or see if they will spread the cost over a period of time given you’re about to get free scripts anyway? What would happen if you refused to pay?

[Star13]

I have just looked this up and came across this:

You can only make a challenge if you:

were entitled to claim free NHS prescriptions or free or reduced-cost NHS dental treatment, or you had a valid prescription prepayment certificate at the time

think you have an exceptional reason not to pay, and can show that you did not act wrongfully or with any lack of care

We will not usually accept a challenge if your exemption certificate had expired, or you feel that you were misadvised by your doctor or pharmacy staff.

It’s on this website where you can make a challenge. It’s like getting a parking ticket if you don’t challenge it you just might get let off or they may make other arrangements with you. Lay it on like you did on here and make sure you say that you were not told by the pharmacist that this would happen. Good Luck.

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/respond-your-...

[BrigidsFire in reply to Star13]

This is good. Also, you said you only recently found out that you could have had an exemption certificate, so that would cover you under the first point as well.

[Dottie11]

Maybe point out that in all that time the pharmacist prescribed and charged you. Are they not trained to know when it is free and inform customer ? If not why not.

[Gooneruk in reply to Dottie11]

Thanks for replying, dealing with the government is like beating your head against a wall, unless you live with a disease like lupus you don't understand how tough it can be, since I turned 30 my life has been blighted but you just get on with it, I've always supported myself between operations and medical emergency's, but stopping my direct debit and not even bothering to tell me is so frustrating, sometimes you can feel so alone, as if you are the only person who is going through this, forums like this help, thanks again

[tjo52]

Hi..sorry to hear.so unfair..have you spoken to citizens advice who could advise if you could take this to the ombudsman?..just an idea.it was an error without any intention..as for your free prescription that is really annoying to say the least!! Take care 🌻🌻🦋

[Gooneruk in reply to tjo52]

Hi, I've been told it's possible to challenge charges, if there was no deliberate attempt to avoid paying for my prescription, so I will try that route, thanks for the advice

[DougyW]

As a help if you apply for the exemption certificate now it's backdated by 1 month

[Gooneruk]

So had a call from customer resolution at NHS today, they have listened to my calls to the prepayment service and looked at my records of having a cirtificate for a number of years and the fact I have a valid direct debit in place that wasn't collected from their end and have agreed to waive any penalties if I pay for the prescriptions involved, it's an outcome I'm happy with, thanks for the support from everyone, living with lupus can be a lonely place sometimes, it's easy to forget that others can offer support and understand what it's like, so thanks again

[DorsetLady in reply to Gooneruk]

Good, but it shouldn't have happened in the first place...

[ltsmagic]

Have you been checked for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome?