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Type 1 Free NHS Prescriptions for over 60's

C

Capt-Slog

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi, I went to pickup my repeat prescription from the Pharmacy today as normal. Insulin, Libre Sensors and Warfarin (for another non-diabetes illness).
The assistant looked at my NHS Medical Exemption Certificate and told me that it was about to expire on the 7th of December 22.
I panicked, and went online when I got home to find out how to get a replacement.
At first I saw that apparently I should have received a reminder a month before the old card ran out. (Instantly got the "hump" and started muttering), but then I found an NHS webpage which told me that I did not require a replacement certificate, because this year I had my 60th birthday (WooHoo! I made it) and that I was now entitled to Free NHS Prescriptions based upon age.

HOWEVER, just when I was about to settle down with a glass of Baileys (very cheap at the moment), something caught my eye on the side of the page.
Apparently there has been a lot of talk that in early 2023 the Government will be reviewing whether the age for free NHS prescriptions will rise from 60 to 66 in line with the new National Pension age. It also said that the change could happen "immediately" after the results of the review have been announced.
This concerns me greatly.
Question: Should I be discussing this with my GP or Diabetes team, when current NHS guidelines clearly state that "at the moment" I am entitled to free prescriptions because I am over 60?
Is there a specific Forum on this site which is more suitable for this question?
 
Once you have the entitlement due to age it cannot be revoked and even if it were you would revert to the entitlement you had before due to diabetes so I should not worry too much.
 
Yes I believe that is right. Up to now it has been 60. In the future it might be inline with when you receive your state pension. However, if you already receive free prescriptions, they then can't cancel.
 
Very fortunate to live in Wales where prescriptions are free for everyone. I've often wondered how they can do this and will it survive much longer?
Only three million people in Wales that's the same as some English cities or less so that must help and Wales definitely stretch and use their resources well compared to England... where the money comes from anyway.
 
Thanks everyone, that is a big relief.
I'm guessing that the Pharmacist probably knew this, but her assistant did not. (Neither did I though).
 
Oh I’ve just turned 60 didn’t realise I got free scripts from 60, I do have an exemption that runs out next year, so that’s good to know
 


Pedant alert!!

State pension age is currently 66, and rising over time. It has been increasing from 60-66 for some time, but from now it is 66 all round.

Some occupational pensions and private arrangements have differing eligibilty criteria.
 
But not the tax dodgers and those that use the loopholes in offshore tax havens!
Non doms and others that work the tax system!

Not fit for use!
 
Hello.

Can we stick to the topic on who’s eligible for prescription charge exemption & not who is funding it..

My wafe. A little older than me hit 60. Whilst picking up my script I needed to get one for her..
The chemist at the time informed me she was exempt from charge as I was just about to pull my wallet out..

But just to be on the safe side and avoid any issue with a misinformed dispensary. Personally, I’d renew the little white card.
 
Proposed reform of prescription charge exemptions
On 3 September 2021 the government closed a consultation on Aligning the upper age for NHS prescription charge exemptions with the State Pension age.

The consultation put forward two possible options for change:

Option A – to raise the qualifying age for free prescriptions to the SPA (currently 66) for everyone.
Option B – to raise the qualifying age for free prescriptions to the SPA (currently 66) but with a period of protection, which would mean that people in the age range 60 to 65 would continue to receive free prescriptions.
There has been no government response to the consultation. A recent parliamentary question in May 2022 asking what planned timetable is for responding to the consultation received the following response:

No decisions on the proposals have yet been made. We will respond to the consultation and announce our next steps in due course.


It may be best to keep your options open.
 
There are various conditions which bring exemption - my defunct thyroid and the need for Thyroxine brought me my exemption card long before diabetes arrived on the scene.
I suspect that the need to run the scheme, to have chemists handling the money charged, the department checking for fraudulent claims, the exemption arrangement with its forms and cards and postage, all reduces the bottom line to a considerable extent, so simply not charging is not such a big deal as it might seem at first glance.
I always felt rather guilty at having all my medicines free simply because of the failed thyroid, particularly when I was really ill with tonsilitis and 'flu' and having all sorts of tablets and cough mixtures.
 
The first time I had free prescriptions was when registered as a war pensioner due to damage to my hearing and tinnitus caused by my service in the RAF the MOD payed for any prescription linked to that my doctor would simply add any other medication to the script as if one item on the script was exempt then all items were free.

Then there was MG which qualified and then diabetes and then I turned 60 .
 
AndBreathe said:
Pedant alert!!

State pension age is currently 66, and rising over time. It has been increasing from 60-66 for some time, but from now it is 66 all round.

Some occupational pensions and private arrangements have differing eligibilty criteria.
Click to expand...
And is increasing further.
 
I am moving to Wales
 
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