Cost-of-living health information support
Prescription Prepayment Certificate
Did you know that if you buy at least one prescription item each month, it works out cheaper if you have a 3 month Prescription Prepayment Certificate?
The certificate covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set price. You will save money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or more than 11 items in 12 months.
The prescription charge in England is £9.35 per item. A Prescription Prepayment Certificate costs:
- £30.25 for 3 months*
- £108.10 for 12 months*
(*please note that these costs are correct at the time of writing)
Read more to find out how much you could save and how to get a pre-payment certificate on the NHS Business Services Authority website.
Check your eligibility for free prescriptions
Some people are eligible for free prescriptions due to their age or a health condition. Before buying a Prescription Prepayment Certificate, it is worth double checking if you are eligible for free prescriptions and/or help with other health costs.
You can check your eligibility using an online eligibility checker on the NHS Business Services Authority website.
It is always best to check you are eligible for free prescriptions before ticking the box on the back of a prescription, and/or checking your Prescription Prepayment Card is in date before using it because misuse of these schemes could result in a penalty charge. You can check if your exemption certificate and/or Prescription Prepayment Card is in date and valid using this checker on the NHS website.
Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme
If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. You can find out more about the eligibility criteria for the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme and how to apply on the NHS website.
All hospitals also have a patient transport scheme for those with a medical need requiring help getting to hospital. Each hospital trust's schemes are different, so you need to look at the different hospital trust websites to find out more.
