Free prescriptions available to 15 different groups of Britons – are you eligible? | Personal Finance | Finance
Currently, prescriptions cost £9.35 per item, and for those with multiple items, and items on a regular basis, costs can quickly rack up. Prescriptions only come with costs in England, as in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, prescriptions are free for all, regardless of circumstances.
Recently, there have been fears free prescriptions for over 60s could be at risk as the Government debates a potential rule change.
It may mean the free prescription age aligns with state pension age, which is currently 66 and rising.
Consequently, many Britons in the affected age group will be worried if they could miss out in the future.
However, over 60s are not the only category of people entitled to a free prescription in England, and there are other groups an individual could fall into.
READ MORE: Inheritance warning: Britons face ‘nasty surprise’ in retirement
Other exemptions on charges for prescriptions are available through exemption certificates.
If people have a specified medical condition and a valid medical exemption certificate, they could be eligible for the process known as MedEx.
Similarly, people who have a valid NHS certificate for full assistance with health costs will not have to pay – known as HC2.
Perhaps one of the largest groups of people who could secure a free prescription in England are individuals in receipt of particular benefits.
READ MORE: Dave Ramsey explains how pensioner with £30k can get by in retirement
Individuals can use the eligibility checker on the NHS website, and it is claimed this should take about three minutes to determine.
A Government spokesperson recently told Express.co.uk: “Around 90 percent of community prescription items in England are free of charge.
“People don’t pay if they are on a low income, or have certain medical conditions.
“The upper age exemption, 60-years-old, has not changed since 1995 and that is why we have consulted on restoring the link with the state pension age.
“We are considering the responses carefully and will respond in due course.”
