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.
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). 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.
“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," said Cerise Chandler, regional partnership lead at the NHS Business Services Authority in the East of England.
“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.”
