The Student Room Group

HC2 certificates?

I'm not certain this is the right place to post this, but it seemed like the most appropriate...

I have an issue with my jaw, which I took to the student health service doctor today (at Bristol) where I was told that I had a dental issue - apparently I have an overbite and my teeth aren't quite aligned, which is what's causing me my strangeness and pain in my jaw.

So I've been in contact with dental surgeries where they apparently accept NHS patients, and I need either an HC2 or an HC3 certificate? Which I can get by getting an HC1 form, filling that out to get an HC2 one, which I can send off to Newcastle where they'll review my case and see if I'm eligible for treatment on the NHS...

I didn't ask a lot of questions at the doctors because I'd unwittingly assumed it was easy to go to the dentist (where she said they'd only be referring me to a specialist anyway...), but can anybody tell me if this is worth all of this time and effort? I really want something to get sorted quickly, my jaw is being so frustrating, but nowhere near as frustrating as all of this! I don't think it'll even be free because I'm 19, and apparently they reject you if you receive money from your parents?? Should I bother?

The advice on the NHS website makes it seem really unclear as to what it will get me, and whether or not I can even get it...:frown:

Please somebody know about it?

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Reply 1
It's worth it, even if you only get some help with dental costs.
Reply 2
The HC1 form is only to determine if you're eligible for reduced costs or free dental treatment on the NHS.

You can already get NHS treatment without it, but you will have to pay something (it is nowhere near the costs of private treatment though). How much you pay depends on what treatment you need but the most you will ever pay for a course of treatment-which will be everything you need no matter how many appointments you have-will be about £200 in England (or £177 in Wales). If your jaw problem means you need orthodontic work, this will most likely be what you'll pay.

You might as well apply for the HC1 form and see if you are entitled to any reduction of the costs, but if you don't, you can always get an initial consultation and see what they reckon you'd need doing before deciding whether it's worth the cost (which will only be £17.50).

I've had a load of dental treatment recently (three appointments, two an hour long, an extraction, a root canal sorted out and a custom filling made for it, and have one more left to have all my normal fillings done) and personally I think it's a bargain for £177 (live in Wales).
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 3
Original post by heidigirl
The HC1 form is only to determine if you're eligible for reduced costs or free dental treatment on the NHS.

You can already get NHS treatment without it, but you will have to pay something (it is nowhere near the costs of private treatment though). How much you pay depends on what treatment you need but the most you will ever pay for a course of treatment-which will be everything you need no matter how many appointments you have-will be about £200 in England (or £177 in Wales). If your jaw problem means you need orthodontic work, this will most likely be what you'll pay.

You might as well apply for the HC1 form and see if you are entitled to any reduction of the costs, but if you don't, you can always get an initial consultation and see what they reckon you'd need doing before deciding whether it's worth the cost (which will only be £17.50).

I've had a load of dental treatment recently (three appointments, two an hour long, an extraction, a root canal sorted out and a custom filling made for it, and have one more left to have all my normal fillings done) and personally I think it's a bargain for £177 (live in Wales).


Thanks for your reply! Because I really just want to get something done about it, I've made an appointment as an NHS patient (the first dentist I called was really misleading) which will cost £17.50 and I'll see what they say, but I think I will apply for the thing anyway, because I think you can use it for prescriptions as well?

Really?? Only £200? Some of my friends have been saying it'll be hundreds and hundreds! Is that what you have to pay as a normal NHS patient? I am going to apply for the HC2 anyway, but that's quite reassuring :smile:
Reply 4
Original post by fishfan01
Thanks for your reply! Because I really just want to get something done about it, I've made an appointment as an NHS patient (the first dentist I called was really misleading) which will cost £17.50 and I'll see what they say, but I think I will apply for the thing anyway, because I think you can use it for prescriptions as well?

Really?? Only £200? Some of my friends have been saying it'll be hundreds and hundreds! Is that what you have to pay as a normal NHS patient? I am going to apply for the HC2 anyway, but that's quite reassuring :smile:


If you are awarded the HC2 (there's HC3 for partial costs) you'll get free prescriptions too.
Original post by OU Student
If you are awarded the HC2 (there's HC3 for partial costs) you'll get free prescriptions too.


HC2 will also cover the costs of an eye exam and an optical voucher towards glasses :smile:
Reply 6
Original post by OU Student
If you are awarded the HC2 (there's HC3 for partial costs) you'll get free prescriptions too.


In that case, I'm definitely applying for it - paying for asthma pumps doesn't seem very fair to me either :smile:
Reply 7
Original post by GooglyEyedMonster
HC2 will also cover the costs of an eye exam and an optical voucher towards glasses :smile:


Ahh, see this is where it comes in handy being a student, specsavers already gives me free eye exams and a ridiculous amount off glasses - I paid about £25 for some that were supposed to cost £115 or something crazy like that :biggrin:
Original post by fishfan01
Ahh, see this is where it comes in handy being a student, specsavers already gives me free eye exams and a ridiculous amount off glasses - I paid about £25 for some that were supposed to cost £115 or something crazy like that :biggrin:


All changes when you get older and being a student is not enough.
Reply 9
Original post by GooglyEyedMonster
All changes when you get older and being a student is not enough.


:yes: You have to be under 19 and in full time education to automatically receive help. (for reasons other than medical conditions)
Original post by OU Student
:yes: You have to be under 19 and in full time education to automatically receive help. (for reasons other than medical conditions)


Yep, that was the worst birthday of my life!
Reply 11
hello. so did you hold a HC2 certificate when specsavers agreed to give you that discount? how did that work?! amazing. I've applied for a HC2 certificate, but what I received was an HC3 one (only limited help). so sort of wondering what discount I can get from specsavers with it
Original post by zl603
hello. so did you hold a HC2 certificate when specsavers agreed to give you that discount? how did that work?! amazing. I've applied for a HC2 certificate, but what I received was an HC3 one (only limited help). so sort of wondering what discount I can get from specsavers with it


It should tell you on the certificate that you have to pay £x towards your glasses. I'm also sure Specsavers give a discount to students if you present a valid student card.
Reply 13
Original post by OU Student
It should tell you on the certificate that you have to pay £x towards your glasses. I'm also sure Specsavers give a discount to students if you present a valid student card.



right, they tell me that I should pay £107.20 towards voucher for glasses, which i think is ridiculous. that amount almost equals to no help at all....
Hi I am at Cambridge University From Sept 2014 - July 2017 I would like help with paying for Prescriptions would like to apply for HC2 Card please Many Thanks Rebecca Kierman 6/03/94
Reply 15
wow! do you get the ridiculous discount without HC2?
Reply 16
why i get is HC3 not HC2......so sad!
Has anybody received the HC3? What does it mean when it says you will pay X amount towards a voucher? Does that mean that that will be how much my voucher is worth?
Original post by SabelNoire
Has anybody received the HC3? What does it mean when it says you will pay X amount towards a voucher? Does that mean that that will be how much my voucher is worth?


It's how much you have to pay before they will give any help.
Reply 19
go for it well worth it u just have to fill in one form takes 10 min and u will receive it wiii take three weeks darling

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