"Who is entitled to get free prescriptions in England?
⦁ If you are aged 60 or over.
⦁ If you are aged under 16.
⦁ If you are aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education.
⦁ If you are pregnant, or have had a baby in the previous 12 months, and have an exemption certificate (see below).
⦁ If you have a listed medical condition and have an exemption certificate (see below).
⦁ If you are an NHS inpatient.
⦁ If you (or your partner) get one of the following:
⦁ Universal Credit.
⦁ Income Support.
⦁ Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
⦁ Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
⦁ Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
⦁ If you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
⦁ Some war pensioners - if treatment is connected with the pensionable disability.
⦁ People on a low income who have a certificate HC2 (see below).
If you are entitled to free prescriptions, complete the declaration on the back of the prescription and sign it. You may be asked for proof that you are exempt.
Who can get an exemption certificate?
*(modified to exclude pregnancy exemption)
People who have certain medical conditions
Although there are many conditions requiring regular medication, only the following qualify for an exemption certificate:
⦁ Treatment for cancer; note this includes treatment for the effects of cancer, or treatment for the effects of a current or previous cancer treatment.
⦁ 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) where thyroid hormone replacement is necessary.
⦁ Myasthenia gravis.
⦁ Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive medication.
⦁ A continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without help from another person.
If you have one of the specified conditions ask for an application form, FP92A, from your doctor's surgery. You need to fill it in and your doctor (or an authorised member of the practice staff) will sign to confirm the information you've given is correct. You will then be sent a Medical Exemption Certificate which is valid for five years.
If you have a Medical Exemption Certificate all your prescriptions are free, whatever the medication is for.
How can people on a low income apply for help?
Some people on a low income may qualify for help with prescription charges. Your entitlement to help is based on your circumstances, such as your level of income, savings, etc. You will have to fill in an HC1 form 'Claim for Help with Health Costs' giving various details of your circumstances and then send it off in the prepaid envelope provided.
If you qualify for help, you will be sent an HC2 Certificate for full help, or an HC3 Certificate for partial help, which you will need to produce when paying for your prescription. The certificate will tell you whom it covers and how long it lasts. If your circumstances change for the better, you can continue using the certificate until it expires. If your circumstances change for the worse during the period of the certificate, you should make another claim. If your circumstances will remain unchanged after the time period then make a new claim before the current certificate expires.
See the NHS Business Services Authority Help with Health Costs website for details on how to get the HC1 claim form.
Can I claim a refund for a prescription charge I have already paid?
If you are on a low income, but have not yet got your exemption certificate then get a receipt form from the pharmacist when your prescription is dispensed. Note that you cannot get one later. When you get your exemption certificate, send the receipt form to the address on the form to get a refund."
Copied from patient.co.uk