Take control of your family budget with help towards health costs

If you’ve made a New Year resolution to improve your household finances, it may be useful to know that you could get help with health costs.

Although most NHS treatment is free at the point of use, there are still some costs you might need to pay, such as for prescriptions, dental treatment and eye care.  Depending on your circumstances, however, you may be eligible to receive some of these for free, and you may even be able to claim back the cost of travel to your tests or treatment.

In England, prescriptions are free for people in a number of groups.  The largest categories are age-related: you don’t need to pay if you’re aged 60 and over, or if you’re under 16 (or aged 16-18 and in full-time education).  If you’re a care leaver, you can now receive help until you reach the age of 25.

If you’re pregnant or have had a baby within the last 12 months, you can apply for a maternity exemption certificate which covers all your prescriptions, as well as dental costs.  People with certain medical conditions and disabilities are also exempt from some or all of these costs, but you must obtain the relevant certificate and present it at the pharmacy or other health service.  You may also be entitled to free prescriptions if you have a war pension exemption certificate.

It’s also worth checking your eligibility if you and/or your partner receive payments such as Income Support, Universal Credit or Pension Credit.  People who receive any of these may also be entitled to help with travel costs to some health appointments under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

If you’re not eligible for free prescriptions but you’re expecting to need lots of prescription items over a short period, it may be more cost-effective to get a prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC).  This works like a season ticket, and there are three options to choose from:

• The three-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months.
• The 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year.
• The hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and may save you money if you need more than two prescribed HRT items in a year.

NHS dental care can also leave an unexpected hole in your family finances, but help is at hand.  You’ll only ever be asked to pay a single charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.  The NHS website has more information on dental costs and eligibility for help.

Cerise Chandler, regional partnership lead at the NHS Business Services Authority in the East of England, said:

“Many people are entitled to help with their health costs but may not realise it.  For more information on any of these schemes and to check your current eligibility, please see the NHS Business Services Authority’s website.  You can apply online for many of the certificates and exemptions which the NHS offers, and it’s especially worth checking if your circumstances have changed recently.

“Because we want to make sure that the help goes to those who most need it, we carry out regular checks on treatments which are not paid for.  Dishonestly claiming free care when you’re not entitled to it may mean you receive a £100 penalty charge notice, plus the cost of what you have incorrectly claimed for.

“The cost of living has gone up a lot in the last few years, so a little help with your family’s health costs may make a big difference.  Never be afraid or embarrassed to claim what you’re entitled to: the help is there for a reason, and it’s yours.”