Prescription charges...

I've just been given a handful of prescriptons by the doctor, and I just don't know how I can possibly afford it. As I'm on a gap year, I'm not technically in full time education, so have to pay for them.

But I was just thinking... if I go to the pharmacy with them, will they really catch me out if I tick the 'In full-time education' box... I mean really? I've worked on a pharmacy counter before and if someone ticked that box (or most other exemption boxes) I didn't really think twice about it.

I know it's a bit cheeky - but 4 prescriptions at £6.85 a pop is just shocking! And although I'm not in full-time education at the moment... it's not like I never will be again. I'm just trying to justify myself here :redface:

So... good/bad/immoral idea?

Reply 1

Titch89

14

They do check up on you and you will be fined £100 if they do find out. You can either fill ina HC1 form for low income or buy a pre payment card.

Reply 2

Zoecb

11

It's fraud and you don't want it on your criminal record.

Reply 3

loopymeg

13

At least it's capped at £6.85 each... it could be a lot worse!

Reply 4

Schmokie Dragon

17

Nasty stuff. Would your parents help you out?

You could always apply for low income exemption, but I'm not sure how.

Reply 5

sophisticated

17

You dont have to be in full time education to get free prescriptions.
If you're 19 or over, you're not entitled to free prescriptions in any case, whether you're in education or not.
Ask your pharmacist for an HC1 form, you can fill this out in an attempt to get free prescriptions. However, you have to declare all your money, savings, earnings etc, and by the time you've done this I doubt you will get anything free if you're on a gap and working...I filled out an HC1 form, earning £40 a week from a part time job and paying stupidly expensive rent in Uni residences and I still got sweet FA from them.
I would just grit your teeth and pay it...the HC1 form is worth a try but like I said, they are quite mean. Fraud isnt worth it, if you get found out you will get fined about 20 times more than one prescription cost....not worth it!

Reply 6

Titch89

14

With some of the medicines prescribed by doctors, it might be possible to get a generic brand over the counter.

Reply 7

Thud

17

You have to fill out the HC1 form, then send it off, however you wouldn't get it for 2 weeks or so, so you would have to pay for now, ask for a "NHS receipt" and then send these along with your HC1 form in order to claim back the $6.85 (no pound sign).

Reply 8

Renal

17

Titch89

With some of the medicines prescribed by doctors, it might be possible to get a generic brand over the counter.

Or even 'brand' meds OTC.

Some items are actually significantly cheaper than the prescription charge.

Reply 9

Ilora-Danon

3

The HC1 form is a pile of crap. I'm an unemployed full time student, but am not elligible because I'm in receipt of a tuition fee loan (which is counted as earnings!!) I'm not amused.

Reply 10

Renal

17

Ilora-Danon

The HC1 form is a pile of crap. I'm an unemployed full time student, but am not elligible because I'm in receipt of a tuition fee loan (which is counted as earnings!!) I'm not amused.

I'm in the same boat - and have four prescriptions every two months.

Reply 11

Titch89

14

Ilora-Danon

The HC1 form is a pile of crap. I'm an unemployed full time student, but am not elligible because I'm in receipt of a tuition fee loan (which is counted as earnings!!) I'm not amused.

Since when did something like that count as income?

Reply 12

Ilora-Danon

3

Since they decided to turn my application down because of it....

Reply 13

YAP

Are the NSU looking into this at all? It really is a sham that loans to students count as income :frown:

. It's not just prescriptions that HC1s help with either - I needed a new pair of glasses in my third year as an undergraduate, and was out of pocket for an eye test and a pair of lenses.

Reply 14

Sephrenia

16

Ilora-Danon

The HC1 form is a pile of crap. I'm an unemployed full time student, but am not elligible because I'm in receipt of a tuition fee loan (which is counted as earnings!!) I'm not amused.

You what now? I have Tuition fee loans, the whole lot and I get everything free... You have something like £16000 before youre not eligible...IIRC..

Reply 15

Helenia

20

Sephrenia

You what now? I have Tuition fee loans, the whole lot and I get everything free... You have something like £16000 before youre not eligible...IIRC..

Not so. I get some cover but not all, and I get MUCH less than £16000

Reply 16

Jillie Boe

14

Sephrenia

You what now? I have Tuition fee loans, the whole lot and I get everything free... You have something like £16000 before youre not eligible...IIRC..

How have you managed that?

I only get the maintenance loan (£3,100 for the entire year) - no bursaries and grants. And I got declined. I have to pay for my prescriptions.

Reply 17

sophisticated

17

I have quite alot in savings (about £10,000), which I declared, but I dont have access to my savings, they're all in ISA accounts, I'm not touching them till after Uni...spending them at Uni would just encourage me to fritter the money away on crap and I'm not gonna do that!
If I have to pay for prescriptions because I have money invested in my future, then so be it, I don't see how its fair though.

Reply 18

sophisticated

17

Helenia

Not so. I get some cover but not all, and I get MUCH less than £16000

Maybe it depends on who assesses your claim, or whether the NHS are feeling rich that month!?
I guess I got some tight wad person assessing mine, I don't get ANYTHING, I have to pay the first £60 of dental treatment every time I need it, which is pointless because a check up costs £35....guess I'm paying for that then!
I also get money help after I've spent £129 a time on eyecare...yeah thats useful.
Not too bothered about prescriptions, I get the odd tube of cream for my eczema every now and then, but mostly I get contraceptive pills for my skin which are free anyway :biggrin:

hurrah!

P.S. TO THE COOL KID WHO NEG REPPED ME ANON pray do tell how I can get free prescriptions? According to the form in my hand, I am only ENTITLED to free prescriptions if I am 16, 17 or 18 AND in full time education. I am 19, and therefore do not qualify, even though I do have an HC1 form but I am not entitled to free prescriptions as I have a student loan, like most students. So please, tell me your secret?? Or maybe it is YOU who has not done your research?

Reply 19

Anonymous #1

14

I work in a chemist and know people who are working and yet still tick the 16-18 and in full-time education bit. They haven't got caught yet:P. Same goes with Income Support/Tax Credits.

Prescription charges...

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