Pre payment card for prescription; how long does it take for it to arrive? I applied online and they took the 1st direct debit on 25th...

My stocks are running low and I'm trying to avoid the nightmares of reclaiming my money back, I thought I'd ordered my card in good time. It's my first one as my pregnancy exemption only expired last month. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Nell]

Hi. It's usually quite speedy but can take up to 4 weeks I found but if you explain to your pharmacist and show proof of payment you should be fine until your card comes through.

Hope that helps

All the best

Nell

[PMRpro]

They can't say they haven't received it! It will date from the day you applied for it/or asked for when it does arrive. Mine came in about 10 days when I had one - but I applied with a form at my local pharmacy, they therefore knew I had done so and gave me the prescriptions without charging me and me having to reclaim it. Isn't reclaiming just a matter of taking the receipts and the card to the pharmacy? It used to be. Ask them. I always used my pharmacy "on the corner", they knew me, kept my details on record so it was very handy. Boots were a nightmare - they "lost" my application and were pretty incompetent - never had enough stuff in stock blah blah. Not to mention rude!

If you ring the helpline they should be able to give you the number that will be on your card and you then give that to the pharmacy and won't need to pay (again, at least you used to be able to do that). Some pharmacies won't play ball until they see the card but it is your responsibility to have one when you say you have it - and they do check up.

[Hidden]

Hi, thanks for the replies. There is a claim form to reclaim money back and pharmacy stamp it. My pharmacy is friendly, and as you can imagine know my face now, but need the card. Rules are NOT there to be broken on this occasion. My confidence at all time low so avoiding situations that make me feel bad. I'm sure card will be here soon, letter states 2 days after payment? Cheers and thank you.

[Chris-Bromsgrove]

Hi, I renewed mine on line on 26 March and it has just arrived in the post today. As yours is a new card possibly that takes longer than renewal but even so you would think a week is a reasonable timescale to expect delivery. I hope it comes soon.

Chris

[Hidden in reply to Chris-Bromsgrove]

Thanks Chris, its getting tight but I've got my script here just in case. Monday at the latest...it's probably because it's new, your right.

[Juliew123]

If you did the card on line it should have given you a ref number.

You can use the ref number to get your prescription even if you haven't got your card yet.

[JElsom]

Hi. I've had a pre paid card for 6 years and to be honest I think I may have had to actually show it to a pharmacist about twice. It definitely dates from when you bought it so it should be ok to show them proof of purchase and the reference number if they ask. If you tick to say you have one and sign that's normally sufficient for them to claim the money (or whatever they do!). Hope you get your meds with no problems.

[rrahman]

Im looking at this thread and wondering why have you all not applied or managed to get a FULL exemption card? We have all been on cyclo at some point - that should be enough for your gp to tick.

But as you dont' usually if it is a regular pharmacy as a lot of people have mentioned and youve stated they know you they may just give it to you because theyd know by now those are your regular medication.

My pharmacy delivers them home to me and when they haven't receive a certain prescription, because they know me now and what I take they just give it and request the prescription from practice later. And I dont beleive ive actually ever shown my card. Perhaps they know I cannor be fibbing with 8-9 different medication! Hahahhaa

I do know that if you do buy it and claim a refund if its wighin a certain time I thibk 3 months you just need the claim form and reciept and take it to the pharmacy for a refund. Thereafter have to send to send off to nhs.

Hope it helps.

[kath12341 in reply to rrahman]

I have tried but no joy so still paying the fact we were on chemo appeard to count with some drs but not others

[Hidden]

Thanks for all your replies. Maybe it's my face...but they want the card, or maybe it's because I said 'I haven't got my card yet, do I need it?' the answer came back yes. I did show my letter which was taken into the back and brought back with a shaking head 'no'.

My GP was the one who told me prepayment card best for now.

I appreciate that I can pay, but I loathe to when I have already paid DD and need the cash in my purse ( things a bit tight as still not back at work...hopefully meeting with employers next week will see how I can slot back in, work for local authority and also threat of redundancy with all the cuts there's been a lot of changes while I've been off)

[Simmonds797]

Hi, ours took about 10 days but in the meantime we explained that we had applied and had a reference no to give them, so just ticked the box F

Hope that helps.

[Hidden]

Hi, thank you. Just to make others aware; I applied online on the 13th March for my card. I opted to pay by dd providing bank details. I then received a letter a week later telling me payments will be taken on 25th March and to check details correct. It states card will only be issued once payment has cleared. I know my payment has cleared my end. I called the phone number and I was told I should expect to receive my card between 7 to 10 working days following payment. So that's a good calender month from applying to getting the card!

If it's not here by Monday I'll try another chemist or perhaps just pay and reclaim my money-(pain in butt)

Thanks for all replies!

[Greenkit in reply to Hidden]

Dont pay just tick the back to say you have a card and write the Ref No at the bottom if they say you have to pay say you dont have the money. My chemist is brilliant and told me to call them with the Ref No when the card arrived the first time i bought one.

[kath12341]

I just tick the box when waiting for my card as they can check electronically and the reponsibility is for you to ticket the correct box I have never had an issue whilst waiting for my card

[Hidden]

It's arrived today! I've replenished my medicine box with a reassuring 2 month supply! Thanks to all!