[pimpman777]

If yes, can they get any discounts? I'm on frequent meds and I really don't want to pay 7.20 every time I get one! I'm a uni student by the way, with no income; just student finance loans. Can I get some sort of discount. How much discount roughly would I be entitled to?

[lets_make_some_music]

i've got a feeling it's only until your 19, not 100% sure though

[Strangey]

(Original post by pimpman777)
If yes, can they get any discounts? I'm on frequent meds and I really don't want to pay 7.20 every time I get one! I'm a uni student by the way, with no income; just student finance loans. Can I get some sort of discount. How much discount roughly would I be entitled to?

Fill in a HC1 form to get a HC2 certificate if you qualify. If not, you can get pre-paid certificates that last 3 or 12 months which will offer you a discount. Check with the NHS that your condition doesn't mean that you get free/reduced costs meds anyway. Diabetes,Addisons, any form of cancer etc are examples of conditions where you can get free medication

[bestie]

How old are you? If your 16-18 and in full-time education they are free. After that you have to pay full price unless you hold a HC2 certificate. To get one you need to be assessed using a HC1 form (can get from doctor, chemist, hospital, job center ect.) which takes into account your income and savings.

If you don't and get regular medication it may be better to pre-pay your prescriptions.

For the following conditions you get free prescriptions:

Treatment for cancer; note this includes treatment for the effects of cancer, or treatment for the effects of a current or previous cancer treatment. (Not available for patients in Scotland.)
A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
Forms of hypoadrenalism such as Addison's disease.
Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
Hypoparathyroidism.
Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where thyroid hormone replacement is necessary.
Myasthenia gravis.
Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive medication.
A continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without help from another person.

Your doctor should have informed you if this is the case, but if you've just turned 18 it's worth checking.

[Loz17]

Go to the post office, fill out a HC1 form and apply for HC2 exemption charges if you have no income!
Or, next time you have a review, ask your GP to check the drug tariff and see how much the item would be in private prescription. (PM me and I might be able to give you a rough idea whether you can get it cheaper on private prescription or not - I work in a pharmacy as a dispenser and have a recent (but not up to date - July 2010) drug tarrif next to me now)

[pimpman777]

Thank you for the replies. I'll see to getting this supposed HC1 form. Roughly how much discount would I be entitled to this way?

And also, it's not for diabetes or anything like that. I'm 19 btw, on the prescription it says only 16-18s can get free.

[Witchita]

What about 18 in University?

[Loz17]

(Original post by bestie)
How old are you? If your 16-18 and in full-time education they are free. After that you have to pay full price unless you hold a HC2 certificate. To get one you need to be assessed using a HC1 form (can get from doctor, chemist, hospital, job center ect.) which takes into account your income and savings.

If you don't and get regular medication it may be better to pre-pay your prescriptions.

For the following conditions you get free prescriptions:

Treatment for cancer; note this includes treatment for the effects of cancer, or treatment for the effects of a current or previous cancer treatment. (Not available for patients in Scotland.)
A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
Forms of hypoadrenalism such as Addison's disease.
Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
Hypoparathyroidism.
Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where thyroid hormone replacement is necessary.
Myasthenia gravis.
Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive medication.
A continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without help from another person.

Your doctor should have informed you if this is the case, but if you've just turned 18 it's worth checking.

If you're 18 and in FT education you still get option C exemptions. Also the pre-payment certificate isn't worth it if a patient only gets 1 item a month; its worth it if they have 4 items in 3 months or 14 items in 12 months.

[Loz17]

(Original post by pimpman777)
Thank you for the replies. I'll see to getting this supposed HC1 form. Roughly how much discount would I be entitled to this way?

And also, it's not for diabetes or anything like that. I'm 19 btw, on the prescription it says only 16-18s can get free.

You'd be completely exempt if you are entitled to a HC2 certificate.

If thats not feasable, and its more expensive on private Rxs then maybe ask for a 2 months worth of meds on 1 scripts. You'll be paying the usual charge of £7.20 for 2 months worth. If your meds are regular with little chance if dosage change most doctors don;t usually mind.

[Loz17]

(Original post by Witchita)
What about 18 in University?

It'd be free if you study on a full time course until your 19th birthday.

[bestie]

(Original post by Loz17)
If you're 18 and in FT education you still get option C exemptions.

I didn't say different.

[Loz17]

(Original post by bestie)
I didn't say different.

Sorry that was more general. My point was more for the pre-payment certificates

[bestie]

(Original post by Loz17)
Sorry that was more general. My point was more for the pre-payment certificates

Oh see, sorry.

[.x.Steff.x.]

You should be ok
I'm 20 and managed to get the HC2 form =]

[jimbo139]

(Original post by bestie)
How old are you? If your 16-18 and in full-time education they are free. After that you have to pay full price unless you hold a HC2 certificate. To get one you need to be assessed using a HC1 form (can get from doctor, chemist, hospital, job center ect.) which takes into account your income and savings.

If you don't and get regular medication it may be better to pre-pay your prescriptions.

For the following conditions you get free prescriptions:

Treatment for cancer; note this includes treatment for the effects of cancer, or treatment for the effects of a current or previous cancer treatment. (Not available for patients in Scotland.)
A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
Forms of hypoadrenalism such as Addison's disease.
Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
Hypoparathyroidism.
Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where thyroid hormone replacement is necessary.
Myasthenia gravis.
Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive medication.
A continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without help from another person.

Your doctor should have informed you if this is the case, but if you've just turned 18 it's worth checking.

useful post. Also a good reminder of how completely random health policy is.

[schpanzy]

I just got approved for one of these - I owe it all to the uni pharmacist they even let me claim back £25! Going to save me so much money next year, definatley apply, even if you dont think you are eligible although the form is a bit of a pain.

[modgepodge]

If you're 18 and in full time education, you'll get free prescriptions til your 19th bday.

Then, fill in an HC1 form. Their policy seems to be a little hit and miss however, in my 1st year at uni I got free prescriptions, in my 2nd I didn't despite being worse off!! I think it was cos my Dad was giving me more money, but the reason was that my accomodation was more expensive (house rather than halls). They only seemed to look at money coming in, not going out.

To give you an idea, I lived off about £5000 in my first year, and about £6000 in my 2nd year. This was 4 years ago so maybe the cut offs will have changed a bit but if your income is much more than that there's probably no point applying!

[tanzeel]

Never had to pay for it in Cardiff but I've heard you have to pay around 7 bucks if you're in England. Not too sure about Scotland and NI.