nhs exempt question

[LauRa Lu]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone knows what an nhs exemption exludes exactly.

being diabetic does it mean we don't have to pay for anything like eye tests, dentist treatment, non-diabetic medication etc..

or is it just diabetes treatment?

thanks :)

Lor x

[BeadieJay]

Hi

I've just been given an exemption certificate by my GP and that means that ALL of my prescriptions are entirely free, but only as long as I'm receiving medication for the diabetes. If I'm no longer on meds for the diabetes, I have to go back to paying for other prescriptions.

As a diabetic you're also entitled to free eye-tests, but not free dental treatment.

I look at these freebies as one advantage of being diabetic - I take so many pills for other things that I'm sure I rattle LOL

Hope that helps :)

[DeusXM]

Yeah, as far as I'm aware, if you have diabetes, EVERYTHING is free on the NHS, regardless of whether it's directly related to your diabetes or not. You may also be entitled to disability living allowance from the DSS too.

It's pretty much the only perk of having the condition :rolleyes:

[LauRa Lu]

Deus, do you mean dentist treatment as well. I'm struggling to find a dentist at all because i've just moved. when i call they always say they're excepting no new patients exempt or not. Some people must get exempt from paying for dentists then... but is that us?


Lor x :)

[leigh4095]

hi laura lu, unfortunately as diabetics we are not entitled to get free treatment at the dentist, as far as i know its only if you are under 16,not working or getting a form of income support etc.. the same reasons you would be exempt on the back of a perscription

[DeusXM]

You're also entitled to free dental treatment as a uni student, to the best of my knowledge. However you're going to be very lucky if you can actually find an NHS dentist - they're very much a dying breed and because there's so few they simply can't take on any new patients.

[LauRa Lu]

thanx, i just wasn't sure.

At the moment i don't have a dentist and i've rang every single one in my area and some further away... non are taking on patients full stop so i'm not sure waht i'm going to do really.. :rolleyes:

Lor x :)

[fishy]

I have noticed that I have never, in a number of different chemists, been required to show my exemption certificate when getting a script filled. This makes me wonder if there are not a bunch of people who just tick the box anyway.

Matthew

PS The other advantage of having diabetes is that it means it's much easier to get prescribed Viagra on the NHS than if you were. This does assume that a) You are a boy and b) You can't, erm, you know.

[Teresa]

ive been asked for my exemption cert a few times... i was under the impression (from when i briefly worked in a chemist once) that it didnt matter all that much if the pharmacist checked if u had an exempt cert cos when the scripts get sent off they are checked on a central puter and that issues letters to those not exempt... dont know if thats true tho

[Lorna]

They normally tick a box on mine to say that they have not seen the medical exemption certificate if I do not have it with me. The other thing you do not get free is glasses.

[DeusXM]

The other advantage of having diabetes is that it means it's much easier to get prescribed Viagra on the NHS than if you were. This does assume that a) You are a boy and b) You can't, erm, you know.

Call that an advantage? :confused:

[BeadieJay]

Originally posted by Teresa
ive been asked for my exemption cert a few times... i was under the impression (from when i briefly worked in a chemist once) that it didnt matter all that much if the pharmacist checked if u had an exempt cert cos when the scripts get sent off they are checked on a central puter and that issues letters to those not exempt... dont know if thats true tho

I know of someone who had a pre-payment certificate, which means she paid a set amount (something like £35) for 4 months worth of prescriptions, and her certificate had run out without her realising. She got a letter saying that she had to pay for her prescription plus about £90 penalty fee.........so it pays to make sure your exemption certificate is up to date.....cos they do check :(

[Lorna]

Thanks for reminding me of that! I have recently changed address, does anyone knoe where you send it to to notify them of that? Also is it the same system in scotland as in england?

[DeusXM]

I'd assume so. Despite the delusions of grandeur most Scots seem to have, Scotland is very much part of the same country as England.

Having said that, they do a lot of things cock-eyed up there (apart from higher education), but I think the NHS is still one of those UK-wide things.

[BeadieJay]

Originally posted by Lorna
Thanks for reminding me of that! I have recently changed address, does anyone knoe where you send it to to notify them of that? Also is it the same system in scotland as in england?

I'd check with your doctor's surgery Lorna. When I got my first lot of diabetes meds, the receptionist gave me a form to fill out and she sent it off in a pre-paid envelope, so I don't know where it went!! They should have all the details though.

[Teresa]

when i moved i had to send my old one back and reapply through my doc to get a new one... the new one is a lil credit card one rather than the paper one... i think it says on it to notify of them of change of addresses...

i think the local healt authority issues them, so if u changed health auth then u may need to reapply through the doc like i had to...

[fishy]

"Call that an advantage?"

Well yes. If you suffer from Erectile Dysfuntion and you were not a diabetic you would most likely have to pay for Viagra.

Matthew