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NHS Exemption certificate

Sam50

Well-Known Member
Messages
228
Location
West Sussex
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hubby was told to apply for an NHS exemption certificate once he had been diagnosed with T2. He duly did so and it arrived this morning. Reading the notes on the back it seems to imply that it covers ALL NHS prescriptions ?

I assumed it would just be for diabetic medication as otherwise that would cost the NHS a lot of money.......?
 
It's all prescriptions, yet if he was asthmatic or had some forms of cancer he wouldn't be entitled to any exemption! It is what it is but don't expect too much sense from it.
 
I assume it is all medication for a number of reasons
1. There are so many complications associated with diabetes so how do you distinguish between diabetes related conditions and those that are not?
2. Illness may affect diabetes symptoms so it is very important to reduce illness.
3. It is bureaucratically easier to include everything.
 
cott97 said:
It's all prescriptions, yet if he was asthmatic or had some forms of cancer he wouldn't be entitled to any exemption! It is what it is but don't expect too much sense from it.
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So antibiotics for a chest infection for example ? would that be covered ?
 
Yes I can see that many other conditions such as BP could be linked and you might be on meds for that but I have a hunch that your third reason is probably the most likely....
 
In England about 90% of all prescriptions are dispensed free of charge.
 
All prescriptions.
 
cott97 said:
It's all prescriptions, yet if he was asthmatic or had some forms of cancer he wouldn't be entitled to any exemption! It is what it is but don't expect too much sense from it.
Click to expand...
Yes. Disgraceful.
 
There are a number of diagnoses which result in a total exemption from all prescription charges, a failed thyroid is another one. I was told when I got mine that it was brought in to ensure those more vulnerable attended the doctor promptly and it was very effective in reducing the amount of serious illnesses and untimely deaths amongst the chronically sick.
At the time I had a couple of young children, very little money and had delayed going to the doctor for six months, so to get the free prescriptions did make a big difference to me.
 
It is my understanding that you have to be a diabetic ON DIABETES MEDICATION to qualify for free prescriptions, so, if you get very good control through diet/exercise and give up Metformin for example, you will lose free prescriptions for other things. Some people have been known to keep collecting the scrip for Met, even if they don't take it, to get other things free. I don't agree or approve of this, but just mention it.
I presume this is still the case, it was something which got mentioned a few times when I first joined the forum.
Sally
 
I am exempt on three counts

1 I have Myasthenia Gravis
2 I have diabetes and am prescribed Metformin
3 I am over 60 years of age

After leaving the RAF I was diagnosed with tinnitus and hearing loss in both ears due to my service.
So was registered as having a war disability this meant that I had a certificate of exemption for conditions relating to that. my doctor at that time would put any other medications I required on the same prescription as one exempted medication on a prescription means you do not pay for any other item on that prescription.
 
cott97 said:
It's all prescriptions, yet if he was asthmatic or had some forms of cancer he wouldn't be entitled to any exemption! It is what it is but don't expect too much sense from it.
Click to expand...
It does seem strange doesn't it. I am exempt from paying for all prescriptions due to being treated for an underactive thyroid yet, before he was 60 last year, my husband used to have to pay for his warfarin and heart medication - both of which he cannot do without and is on for life. We used to buy the pre-payment cards which were about £104.00 annually.
 
I think @Daphne917 it has something to do with without underactive thyroid med it can cause brain damage. Especially in foetuses and free prescriptions in pregnancy may have came later? Well that's what I believed, but could be wrong.
Ps. Just saw something on thyroid uk. Apparently due to without meds patient dies of a slow lingering death and the breakdown bodily functions cause problem after problem and can restrict employment.
 
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A lot of this is history as at the time "heart medication" etc were not in common usage. (I don't know if the "season ticket" system that limits the cost to about £100 per year was in at the time.) The rules covered all people at the time that needed to take drugs for the rest of their life.
 
I'd be a health hazard if I had no free meds.
With underactive thyroid, insulin dependant diabetic and in total agony with back and right leg immobility.
I'd make the hunk look attractive.
Oh and hirsutism from pcos. Hunchback would be photogenic compared to me.

I should really get a photoshoot of what id look like without my free prescriptions, not forgetting the smell.
In comparison I've had many a compliment but more for my happy personality thou. I'm no stunner but have had plenty male attention, more than 2 other sisters, for sure.
Cannot put a price on being healthy and alive.
In return ive worked sometimes more than full-time and paid hundreds of thousands in tax and NI. In my youth i had 3 jobs. I will return to full-time work, with the help of the nhs after bariatric surgery, god willing. I love working and providing for myself and my family which I had in full-time work.
II've always appreciated the nhs and all it's staff. Nearly died twice in my early years. Hopefully I've paid my portion I've used in taxes and NI, even to date.
 
I've been fortunate in that I have never paid for a prescription thanks to being diagnosed as a child. My husband has an autoimmune condition requiring various meds, and he goes down the route of a prepayment certificate, as he does not qualify for medical exemption.

I used to volunteer at the local Foodbank, and one day a client arrived very breathless. She had walked all the way across town, and when I asked if she was okay, in light of her breathing, she said yes she was for the time being, but her asthma inhaler was running out and she was worried because she wasn't able to collect her next one from the pharmacy....

....because she couldn't afford the prescription charge.

I felt very grateful for my own circumstances.

We directed her to the CAB next door to get advice on how to apply for an exemption under the NHS Low Income Scheme.
 
Not that many years ago, doctors cared about peoples complete lives and could ask enough questions so as to know when to fill in an exception form for them based on their income etc. I am now starting to question if we would be better of with GPs doing half the science training if it resulted in having double the number of GPs.
 
I'm with you on this. Maybe a 2 tier GP system. Trainee GP for common complaints and a Senior GP for the more complicated, life threatening health care?
Receptionist should be able to assist anyone who needs help filling in health need forms, now. I thought.
 
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