Prescription charges to rise by 20p in England

[helvella]

I know those on levothyroxine or liothyronine should have Medex exemptions, but for those who have not for any reason ...

Prescription charges to rise by 20p in England

The cost of prescription charges in England will rise by 20p to £7.85 from 1 April, the government has announced.

<more at link>

bbc.co.uk/news/health-21629363

If you are waiting for a Medex or prepayment certificate, ensure you get a FP57 receipt for any prescriptions you have to pay for in the meantime.

Rod

[Added Guardian quote and link 15:11 01/03/2013:

Earl Howe said regulations would be laid in parliament to implement the changes.

He said the cost of a three-month PPC would remain at £29.10 for another year, with an annual PPC unchanged at £104.

"PPCs offer savings for those needing four or more items in three months or 14 or more items in one year," he said.

Charges for a band-one course of dental treatment will rise 50p to £18; band two will rise £1 to £49; and the cost of band three will increase by £5 to £214.

guardian.co.uk/society/2013...

]

[shellybelly_71]

Shocking, glad I'm Scottish LOL x

[Hidden]

I thought that applyed to everyone if you are on medication for life iv got a nhs exepemption certificate even get antibiotics.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

The actual list is this:

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

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1126.aspx

There are many people who have diseases which are almost certain to require life-long treatment who are not covered by this list include:

Asthma

High blood pressure

Pernicious anaemia

However, once you have got a Medex, it covers all medicines for you as long as it is valid.

Rod

[sisi]

Hi helvella,

I have congenital hypothyroidism and I am exempt of any payment for any prescription.

My Gp is the one who mentioned to me and gave me the form to fill with my details.

I got the exemption card in the post not long after application.

not sure if it's only for congenital cases but indeed it covers payments on medicines.

I am hoping to get t3 soon, I am not sure if that would be covered too...

[helvella Administrator in reply to sisi]

It is usually interpreted now as anyone who needs levothyroxine or liothyronine or the few who get desiccated thyroid.

There might just be a small question mark area resulting from the use of, for example, T3 in heart disease. (Pretty much a research issue at present rather than real practice.) But I think it possible the payment people would end up not arguing because of the way it is worded.