Prescription charge hike

From 1st April the cost of a prescription item has risen by 25p to £7.65. You have to pay a prescription charge for every item on a prescription so if there are two items you will have to pay £15.30. Prescriptions are free for the under 16's, over 60's, people on income related benefits, pregnant women and people with certain long term conditions. Contraception is free.

You can get an exemption form if you have cancer, diabetes and are on treatment, have epilepsy, hypothyroidism and few other conditions. But the list of long term conditions that you can get a exemption form for is quite short and actually makes little sense - you are not eligible for an exemption form if you have a heart condition, asthma or raised blood pressure. Makes no sense!

However there is some help available. If you have to pay for more that three prescription items in 3 months or more than 13 items in 12 months you may find it cheaper to buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). You can buy a PPC for 3 months, 12 months and even by 10 monthly direct debit. The cost of a PPC is £29.10 for 3 months, £104.00 for 12 months and £10.30 by 10 monthly direct debit. Whilst you have a PPC all your prescriptions will be free.

To apply and find out more click here - and the cost of a PPC has not risen this time!

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