When you are in the UK, if you have more than one medication on a repeat prescription, then you could be spending a fortune unnecessarily every time you need to get your medications refilled.
For people who need to save money on medication costs via the NHS, you can apply for a prescription prepayment certificate, which will set the monthly costs you need to pay. Great!
So, how do you apply for one? Read on to find out!
Applying for A PPC
The answer to ‘how to apply for a prescription prepayment certificate?’ is simpler than you may think.
You can buy a PPC online or via the NHS website, or you can apply for one in person at a set pharmacy. This means that anytime you see an NHS GP and they prescribe you a medication or set of medications, you won’t pay the prescription charges per item.
It may only be suitable to apply for an NHS PPC if you are on long-term medications, thereby saving you money long-term on your repeat prescriptions. If you have multiple prescriptions for the treatment of a short-term illness, such as bronchitis, then you may not save money paying for a PPC monthly.
Digital PPCs
As the NHS is eager to reduce paper usage, it is possible when you buy an NHS prepayment certificate to have the certificate sent to your email address. This will ensure that you have the certificate on-hand and will (hopefully) prevent your from losing it!
PPC Validity
When you apply for a prepaid prescription certificate via the NHS website or via a pharmacy, it is usually valid for 12 months from the date it is started. You can either pay for it monthly or in a lump sum when you apply for it. If you incorrectly use your NHS PPC after it has become invalid, you may be liable to pay a fine. This is usually four times the amount of the payment made for the PPC. For instance, if you pay £11.18 for a PPC each month, you may need to pay up to £45 as a penalty if you incorrectly use the certificate. So, make sure you renew prepayment certificates every 12 months!
PPC vs Medical Exemption Certificate
You may be wondering what the difference is between a PPC and a medical exemption certificate.
With a PPC, you need to pay a set monthly fee, or pay a lump sum. With a medical exemption certificate, you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, as well as help with other medical costs. It should be noted that a medical exemption certificate does not cover dental costs.
In order to apply for a medical exemption certificate, your doctor or other health professional will need to fill out a FP92a application form. Alternatively, you can contact your GP and ask for a Medical Exemption (EC92A) form but, your GP will need to verify that you have a medical condition which is eligible for medical exemption. Some of these conditions include Addison’s disease and illnesses that require an individual to have a permanent fistula, which needs to be dressed regularly.
If you aren’t sure which certificate is right for you, contact us here for more information.
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