Am I eligible for free prescriptions from the NHS?

If you belong to one of the following categories at the time the prescription is filled, you are eligible for free NHS prescriptions:

Age:

You qualify for the free medications from the NHS if you:

● Are 60 or over

● Are under 16

● Are 16-18 and in full-time education

When claiming free prescriptions, you do not need to present identification if your date of birth is electronically displayed on the prescription. You might have to provide documentation of your full-time enrollment in school if you are 16, 17, or 18.

Income-based benefits:

If you are qualified for any of the following awards, you are automatically eligible for free NHS prescriptions:

● Income Support

● Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

● Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Your partner and any dependent children under the age of 20 are also eligible for free NHS medications if you get one of these benefits. As evidence that you are eligible, use your award notice.

Furthermore, you will also get the benefits mentioned below:

● Free dental treatment by NHS

● Free sight tests by NHS

● Free wigs and fabric supports by NHS

● Assistance with the expense of glasses or contact lenses

● Reimbursements of necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment

● Reimbursement for essential travel expenses associated with receiving NHS care

Contribution-based benefits

You are not automatically eligible for free NHS medications if you receive contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.

You could yet apply for assistance through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Pension credits

If you or your partner receives any of the following, you are eligible for free NHS prescriptions:

● Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

● Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit

You can apply for assistance with prescription expenses through the NHS Low Income Scheme if you get Pension Credit Savings Credit alone, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.

If you receive Universal Credit and meet the requirements, you are eligible for free NHS medications.

Tax credits

If you are entitled to or listed to:

● A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.

If your family's yearly income for tax credit purposes is £15,276 or less and you receive Working Tax Credits with a disability component, Child Tax Credits, or both, If so, you could be qualified for this:

Low income

You can apply for one of the following certifications through the NHS Low Income Scheme:

● A valid HC2 certificate for full assistance with medical expenses, including NHS prescription charges.

● A valid HC3 certificate, however, is only for partial assistance with medical expenses and does not entitle you to free NHS prescriptions.

Medical reasons

If you are eligible for free medicines,

● You must be pregnant or have recently given birth, and you must possess a current maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)

● Have a specific medical condition and a current certificate for a prescription exemption (MedEx)

● Possess a current certificate of exemption from receiving a military pension, and the prescription is for a recognized impairment

Free medication is always provided to NHS hospital patients.

Contraception

Every kind of contraception recommended on an NHS prescription is free.

How to get an NHS exemption certificate?

If you belong to one of the following categories, you are exempt and do not require an exemption certificate:

● older than 60 or younger than 16

● one of the following income-based benefits

1. Income Support
2. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
3. Income-related Employment and Support allowance
4. If you receive Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability component (or both), and your annual family income for tax credit purposes is £15,276 or less,
5. Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
6. Get Universal Credit and meet the requirements

You must apply to receive an exemption certificate if you belong to one of the following categories:

1. Medication exemption certificates : To apply, get in touch with your doctor.
2. Maternity exemption certificates : Speak with your doctor, midwife, or health visitor to request a maternity exemption certificate.
3. NHS tax credit exemption certificates
4. The NHS Low Income Scheme accepts applications from students 19 years and older. In certain cases, you can submit your application online, but if not, you'll need to fill out an HC1 form and mail it to the address list. An HC1 form can be ordered online.

What kind of medical exemptions can I be eligible for?

You are qualified for free NHS medications if you suffer from one of the illnesses listed below.

● Cancer and its effects

● a permanent fistula that requires a constant surgical dressing or an appliance, such as a laryngostomy, colostomy, ileostomy, or some renal dialysis fistulas

● a type of hypoadrenalism (like Addison's illness) that requires particular replacement therapy

● additional types of hypopituitarism, such as diabetes insipidus

● diabetic nephropathy (except where treatment is by diet alone)

● hypoparathyroidism

● myasthenic fibrosis

● myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)

● epilepsy requiring ongoing anticonvulsant medication

● a physical condition that prevents you from leaving the house without the assistance of another person

How to get a medical exemption certificate?

If you suffer from one of the illnesses mentioned above, you may be eligible to apply for a medical exemption certificate (MedEx). Your physician should provide you with an application form to submit. Consult your doctor if you're unsure of the name of your disease.

How to get a new certificate for my NHS medical exemption?

You can ask for a new certificate here if yours is lost or damaged. To renew your exemption, you must get in touch with your doctor. If you use Spire pharmacy, we'll let you know around a month before the expiration date, and the NHS should also remind you.

What is covered by a medical exemption certificate?

You are entitled to free NHS prescriptions with your medical exemption certificate, not simply for medications to treat or manage the disease that qualifies you. While the exemption certificate is still in effect, you can enter the information from it into your Spire pharmacy account, which will enable us to supply your medications without charge.

How long is a medical exemption certificate valid?

Until your 60th birthday, your medical exemption card is valid for five years (whichever is sooner). When your exemption has run out, Spire Pharmacy will let you know so you can contact your doctor to reapply.

Important notice

Before requesting free medicines, it is your responsibility to make sure you are eligible. You may be required to pay the NHS a penalty charge of up to £100 if you improperly claim free medications.