Do you get free prescriptions in the UK?

[Mep]

These threads always fascinate me as there is still an ongoing battle about health insurance here in the US. The bottom line is that there is a huge range in the level of care you can have here in the US (from nothing to top tier) compared to many European countries which seem to have very consistent (but limited) healthcare options.

My health insurance through work costs about $1200/year and my maximum annual out of pocket is $2000. Meaning after I pay that much in medical bills (almost) everything is covered 100% by my insurance. That basically translates to $3200/year in health costs (about 2100 gbp) which is nothing compared to the additional $10k+ I'd pay in income taxes if I lived in the UK.

A few examples: when I was first diagnosed, my emergency room visit cost me about $1600 which probably would have been free in the UK. However, my Dexcom G5 kit and 28 sensors has cost me a total of $287 (less than 200 gbp).

I don't mean for any of this to sound/turn political, but it's truly interesting to me.

Yes, it is interesting.

I pay for private health insurance also... my premium is $1744 per year and that is for basic hospital cover and extras. I also pay a medicare rebate with my income tax. Last year I paid over $13000 in income tax. Plus I'd spend hundreds at the pharmacy regularly. I calculated recently that in just 3 months I paid $4000 in medical costs (including my health insurance quarterly bill). We also have GST here on goods and services. So we're taxed quite heavily and healthcare still isn't free. I'm thankful we can get subsidies though. If you go through the public health system that is the only time you get free health care and I have to say at times the level of service is substandard. You can wait and awful long time on a public hospital waiting list for surgery, etc. From what I've read about the US system you seem to at least have health cover that includes your docs and pharmaceuticals. Here that is completely separate and not included in any health cover insurance plans.

 

[TorqPenderloin]

Yes, it is interesting.

I pay for private health insurance also... my premium is $1744 per year and that is for basic hospital cover and extras. I also pay a medicare rebate with my income tax. Last year I paid over $13000 in income tax. Plus I'd spend hundreds at the pharmacy regularly. I calculated recently that in just 3 months I paid $4000 in medical costs (including my health insurance quarterly bill). We also have GST here on goods and services. So we're taxed quite heavily and healthcare still isn't free. I'm thankful we can get subsidies though. If you go through the public health system that is the only time you get free health care and I have to say at times the level of service is substandard. You can wait and awful long time on a public hospital waiting list for surgery, etc. From what I've read about the US system you seem to at least have health cover that includes your docs and pharmaceuticals. Here that is completely separate and not included in any health cover insurance plans.

Well, we have Medicare and Medicaid that cover the Elderly, permanently disabled, and people living in poverty.

Unfortunately, the ones that have it worst are the lower-middle class who make just enough money to not qualify for government assistance, but work for an employer that doesn't offer a medical insurance plan. In some cases, these people have no healthcare coverage at all as the premiums through "Obamacare" are still unaffordable.

As you said, nothing is "Free" and there's always a direct or indirect way we pay for everything.

 

[copey399]

I quite agree copey399! Isn't dibetes classed as "life-tretening" then? It is here in France.

Yes it is, I was just making a general comment about the silly health system. A young friend of mine on a low income needs Asthma inhalers and painkillers for a knee problem but he can't always afford them I don't know why Asthma isn't classed as life threatening either.

Roughly 90% of England prescriptions are free, made up of the under 16s ( under 18 if in full time education), the over 60s and people on benefits. England has a population of about 58 million, Scotland 5 million, if like England 90% are entitled to free meds this would mean only 500,000 would be paying for prescriptions, the cost to administrate paid for prescriptions would negate any benefit hence all get free. It is also worth remembering England, Wales and Scotland have separate run NHS.
The devolved countries made the choice to spend money on Health and Education, England with its much bigger population has decided that there is other priorities

Edit
If you want free prescriptions you could always move, but be prepared to pay more council tax, food and fuel bills.

Well thank you for the education - you obviously know more about it than I do so I will concede to your superior knowledge.

However, I think your "Edit" is both rude, unnecessary and impractical plus it doesn't apply as I've already said I get mine free. Living in the South of England I doubt whether those things you mention would make a lot of difference as we are already in one of the most expensive areas to live.

 

[Shar67]

I live in the South East of England, and I can ensure you that council tax, food and fuel are more expensive in Scotland.
I pay £2200 in council tax my dad pays over £3000, he lives in an ex local authority 2 bed terraced house, there isn't as many supermarkets in Scotland, so the biggies can dictate price, and fuel is more expensive as according to fuel companies the cost of transporting it adds to bills. The only thing that is better is the water and water bills.

I didn't mean to offend anyone with my sentence, you could move, but everyone can decide where they live, if they think they are getting a raw deal in the area they are in. Like my dad he cannot moan about cost of living in Scotland when he is able to move to England at anytime but he doesn't want do ( he'd miss his free prescriptions, oh he's over 60 he'd get them free, maybe he's after the free university education)

 

[ladybird64]

I've been in intensive care due to asthma attacks, on life support a few times. If I haven't got an inhaler and suddenly have an attack, I can die.
This is probably going to be an opinion that won't go down too well, but if someone misses a dose of Metformin, I can't see any situation where life would be endangered..yet prescriptions are free.
I know, I know. I have been on benefits before, have also worked two jobs and was barely better off financially - I know what it's like to really struggle.
But I can't help thinking there is something skewed with the thinking as it stands.

 

[copey399]

I live in the South East of England, and I can ensure you that council tax, food and fuel are more expensive in Scotland.
I pay £2200 in council tax my dad pays over £3000, he lives in an ex local authority 2 bed terraced house, there isn't as many supermarkets in Scotland, so the biggies can dictate price, and fuel is more expensive as according to fuel companies the cost of transporting it adds to bills. The only thing that is better is the water and water bills.

I didn't mean to offend anyone with my sentence, you could move, but everyone can decide where they live, if they think they are getting a raw deal in the area they are in. Like my dad he cannot moan about cost of living in Scotland when he is able to move to England at anytime but he doesn't want do ( he'd miss his free prescriptions, oh he's over 60 he'd get them free, maybe he's after the free university education)

Well again, I don't know anyone living in Scotland so I have no comparison but I've always believed that it's more expensive down here in the South. Obviously I'm wrong again on that score then.

Not everyone can choose where they live, due to circumstances beyond their control. I am one such person who can't for reasons I won't go into and I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd love to move but can't.

 

[copey399]

I've been in intensive care due to asthma attacks, on life support a few times. If I haven't got an inhaler and suddenly have an attack, I can die.
This is probably going to be an opinion that won't go down too well, but if someone misses a dose of Metformin, I can't see any situation where life would be endangered..yet prescriptions are free.
I know, I know. I have been on benefits before, have also worked two jobs and was barely better off financially - I know what it's like to really struggle.
But I can't help thinking there is something skewed with the thinking as it stands.

Yes I agree there. My friend works hard but just scrapes by and relies on a friend of his who is on benefits to let him have one of her free inhalers when he runs out. Doesn't seem right does it?

 

[JudyMeg]

I live in England. I am 64, so in theory I should get free prescriptions but I don't. I have hypothyroidism but Levothyroxine makes my heart race so I can't take it. I have to buy my own thyroid meds. My GP is happy to monitor me but won't give me a prescription as 'it is too expensive'. I get my Metformin on prescription, but not my meter or strips as I have type 2 diabetes. I have to buy those as well. I also buy B12 patches D3 and iron supplements. I am in the low end of the normal range, so am not optimal, but not bad enough to get them on the NHS. I don't mind buying them, but I can't see how I'll be able to retire as I wouldn't be able to afford these things on a pension!

 

[copey399]

I live in England. I am 64, so in theory I should get free prescriptions but I don't. I have hypothyroidism but Levothyroxine makes my heart race so I can't take it. I have to buy my own thyroid meds. My GP is happy to monitor me but won't give me a prescription as 'it is too expensive'. I get my Metformin on prescription, but not my meter or strips as I have type 2 diabetes. I have to buy those as well. I also buy B12 patches D3 and iron supplements. I am in the low end of the normal range, so am not optimal, but not bad enough to get them on the NHS. I don't mind buying them, but I can't see how I'll be able to retire as I wouldn't be able to afford these things on a pension!

Well that's outrageous regarding your thyroid meds That definitely can't be right - not doubting you but what I mean is how can he get away with saying it's too expensive to prescribe. If it's the only thing you can tolerate then you should be entitled to it on prescription. Meter and strips seems to be a common problem as some will prescribe them for Metformin users but more won't I believe. I'm getting my strips at the moment by a fluke because I was prescribed Gliclizide which can cause hypos and given the monitor and 50 strips a month (not enough if you want to do multiple testing) and even though I told my DN that I wasn't going to take it but doing lchf instead they're still on my prescription at the moment.

Out of interest, how do you know that you're B12 D3 and iron deficient? Does it show up on your thyroid blood tests?

 

[SunnyExpat]

I've been in intensive care due to asthma attacks, on life support a few times. If I haven't got an inhaler and suddenly have an attack, I can die.
This is probably going to be an opinion that won't go down too well, but if someone misses a dose of Metformin, I can't see any situation where life would be endangered..yet prescriptions are free.
I know, I know. I have been on benefits before, have also worked two jobs and was barely better off financially - I know what it's like to really struggle.
But I can't help thinking there is something skewed with the thinking as it stands.

The thinking is fine,just you're looking at it from the wrong side.
It's more about money, than care.

If the patient didn't take metformin, complications would occur, sooner. Which would cost the NHS more money treating the ongoing deterioration, and the politician of today would then have to fine the increase.
Give away metformin, and the problem becomes one for after they have collected their pension.

Most of the exemptions cover progressive conditions, that will cost the NHS more if you don't get drug treatment, not ones that'll kill you.

 

[phoenix]

I look at the care my parents have received in the UK and wonder how long the NHS will survive . They have both had extraordinarily expensive procedures without any worry about cost. My father jokes that he has a season ticket at the hospital.
There is good health care here in France but I do think that having to pay 'upfront' for doctors puts things into perspective right at the beginning. We also get an itemised account of health care expenditure every couple of months which helps one realise the total cost our care, particularly for me as a T1 on a pump.
It's also salutary to see the amounts paid for the equivalent of NI in France. We used to have to contribute according to our already taxed income so we paid a lot more than we would have in the UK. .On top of this we have an insurance policy to pay the 30%+ that the state doesn't pay. In the last few years on a pump I was paying about the same amount out to the state as I was getting back but there was the monthly top up insurance on top.
Now we are of UK state retirement age, UK pays out refundable medical costs(because we paid tax and NI there and have a UK state pension) We now don't have to pay out so much but we only get what French people would get. For non diabetes related things, it's only 70% of cost (somethings less ) At the moment that isn't a lot, a couple of pounds each month for my thyroxine but paying for the top up insurance is still important, just in case of a horrible accident .

 

[tim2000s]

As I'm paying for pump supplies out of my own pocket, and the Libre the same way, I think it's a very interesting discussion.

Essentially, when paying, I'm paying £200 a month on Diabetic supplies, but thanks to generous others, on the pump side at least those bills are a lot lower.

I wouldn't mind a top up policy as I have to do that at more than NHS cost.

It works at many levels. The NHS just can't afford all the care and in the uk the only alternative is generally to pay the full price privately for this type of care. Medical insurance policies don't seem to cover it.

 

[Mep]

I live in England. I am 64, so in theory I should get free prescriptions but I don't. I have hypothyroidism but Levothyroxine makes my heart race so I can't take it. I have to buy my own thyroid meds. My GP is happy to monitor me but won't give me a prescription as 'it is too expensive'. I get my Metformin on prescription, but not my meter or strips as I have type 2 diabetes. I have to buy those as well. I also buy B12 patches D3 and iron supplements. I am in the low end of the normal range, so am not optimal, but not bad enough to get them on the NHS. I don't mind buying them, but I can't see how I'll be able to retire as I wouldn't be able to afford these things on a pension!

That's the problems with these subsidised schemes... they don't cover everything. It's the same here in Australia. There are some drugs that aren't covered by the pharmaceutical benefit scheme. I too have iron malabsorption and I have to get infusions because I don't absorb iron orally. So the infusions cost me about $50 for the iron which I have to buy beforehand and then $175 for the infusion which I can't make a claim for at all... so it's out of pocket. It's really silly that it isn't covered when I have to have the infusion and if I don't I'm in serious trouble.

 

[urbanracer]

Hi Chinta, you don't get everything at 100%, only things related to your diabetes. If you break a leg or need to go and see a gynae for example, then it's only reimbursed as normal. I (or rather my insurance) has to pay 30% for my thyroid medication, even though it's probably very much related to my T1.(fortunately, it's a very cheap drug)
Also if you went to a consultant that charged more than the conventionne charge, then they would only reimburse you for that.
For Type 2s the number of strips that they are allowed to prescribe (and be reimbursed for) is regulated by law. (not more than 200 strips a year if not on insulin http://www.ameli.fr/assures/soins-e...bandelettes-d-autosurveillance-glycemique.php )

Hi Pheonix,
Re your thyroid medication:- I was told very clearly by the nice chap at Lloyds pharmacy that once you have an exemption certificate, it works for all your meds, diabetes related or not. I haven't paid for anything for over a year now.

 

[phoenix]

Urban Racer, I'm not in England, I'm in France and though the UK pays for it the rules applied are the French ones,

 

[JudyMeg]

Well that's outrageous regarding your thyroid meds That definitely can't be right - not doubting you but what I mean is how can he get away with saying it's too expensive to prescribe. If it's the only thing you can tolerate then you should be entitled to it on prescription. Meter and strips seems to be a common problem as some will prescribe them for Metformin users but more won't I believe. I'm getting my strips at the moment by a fluke because I was prescribed Gliclizide which can cause hypos and given the monitor and 50 strips a month (not enough if you want to do multiple testing) and even though I told my DN that I wasn't going to take it but doing lchf instead they're still on my prescription at the moment.

Out of interest, how do you know that you're B12 D3 and iron deficient? Does it show up on your thyroid blood tests?

It is a common problem with thyroid medications in the UK. Liothyronine (T3) costs £50 per month per patient for the NHS and my GP said it was not necessary as everybody converts T4 to T3, but that is untrue. You can buy T3 over the counter in Greece and you can get 30 tablets for £1 (a month's supply). My thyroid blood tests were improving and that is what he went on. I said then why is my pulse high? Why is my body temperature still in the 35s? Why is my cholesterol still high? He shrugged his shoulders! Because the TSH test was improving he reckoned that my thyroid was working better! I now buy Natural Desiccated Thyroid which has all the thyroid hormones and since then my temperature is always in the 36s, sometimes near 37! My cholesterol has come down to where they don't try to push statins on me and my BP and Pulse are good. As far as I'm concerned this speaks volumes, much more than a blood test. I have now changed my GP and hope that she might be more receptive. I had to push for the Vitamin tests and he reluctantly agreed, but the problem again is that my results were in the lower end of the normal range, but there is quite a difference between being normal and being optimal, so if I want these I have to buy them.

 

[JudyMeg]

That's the problems with these subsidised schemes... they don't cover everything. It's the same here in Australia. There are some drugs that aren't covered by the pharmaceutical benefit scheme. I too have iron malabsorption and I have to get infusions because I don't absorb iron orally. So the infusions cost me about $50 for the iron which I have to buy beforehand and then $175 for the infusion which I can't make a claim for at all... so it's out of pocket. It's really silly that it isn't covered when I have to have the infusion and if I don't I'm in serious trouble.

It's ridiculous isn't it? Over here I seem to have a medic that looks after my diabetes and a different doctor for my thyroid problems. It's a pity that I can't have one person looking after me as a whole person!

 

[Duncan57]

There are ways to get reduced charges on prescriptions in the UK. For help with the cost of prescriptions a Pre Payment Prescription card can be obtained. Ask your chemist or search online. Any one resident in the UK can use the Prescription prepayment card regardless of income so is useful for those on a high income. You pay the cost of one prescription and get the others free. Or for those on low income fill in a HC1 form.

You fill in the HC1 form with your income details and what you pay in council tax, rent or mortgage. The Benefit Office does a calculation looking at your income after rent or mortgage/council tax and if you qualify for reduced charges you get a certificate back that tells you what reduction you get on eye tests and glasses, dentist work and of course prescriptions. The HC1 form covers a couple. So even if you are diabetic and get free prescriptions and eye tests and your partner not diabetic, your partner may get reduced charges.

Some people will have a working tax or child tax credit claim that allows them exemption from NHS costs anyway and of course some will be on a means tested benefit that covers them.

 

[Daphne917]

There are ways to get reduced charges on prescriptions in the UK. For help with the cost of prescriptions a Pre Payment Prescription card can be obtained. Ask your chemist or search online. Any one resident in the UK can use the Prescription prepayment card regardless of income so is useful for those on a high income. You pay the cost of one prescription and get the others free. Or for those on low income fill in a HC1 form.

You fill in the HC1 form with your income details and what you pay in council tax, rent or mortgage. The Benefit Office does a calculation looking at your income after rent or mortgage/council tax and if you qualify for reduced charges you get a certificate back that tells you what reduction you get on eye tests and glasses, dentist work and of course prescriptions. The HC1 form covers a couple. So even if you are diabetic and get free prescriptions and eye tests and your partner not diabetic, your partner may get reduced charges.

Some people will have a working tax or child tax credit claim that allows them exemption from NHS costs anyway and of course some will be on a means tested benefit that covers them.

That's what we do - I get free prescriptions due to Thyroid meds and we buy an annual pre payment card for hubby as he is on 4 separate pills per day. If you have over 15 prescriptions per year it is cheaper to have pre payment card.

 

[RuthW]

I look at the care my parents have received in the UK and wonder how long the NHS will survive . They have both had extraordinarily expensive procedures without any worry about cost. My father jokes that he has a season ticket at the hospital.
There is good health care here in France but I do think that having to pay 'upfront' for doctors puts things into perspective right at the beginning. We also get an itemised account of health care expenditure every couple of months which helps one realise the total cost our care, particularly for me as a T1 on a pump.
It's also salutary to see the amounts paid for the equivalent of NI in France. We used to have to contribute according to our already taxed income so we paid a lot more than we would have in the UK. .On top of this we have an insurance policy to pay the 30%+ that the state doesn't pay. In the last few years on a pump I was paying about the same amount out to the state as I was getting back but there was the monthly top up insurance on top.
Now we are of UK state retirement age, UK pays out refundable medical costs(because we paid tax and NI there and have a UK state pension) We now don't have to pay out so much but we only get what French people would get. For non diabetes related things, it's only 70% of cost (somethings less ) At the moment that isn't a lot, a couple of pounds each month for my thyroxine but paying for the top up insurance is still important, just in case of a horrible accident .

Yes, I agree with this. My mother lives in the UK and going to the doctor's is her hobby. She goes to see a doctor at the GPs or the hospital at LEAST twice a week. She's a professional patient. You do need some kind of rationing in the NHS.