Check your entitlement to help with NHS costs

Patients are being reminded to show proof that they are correctly claiming help with health costs to avoid the NHS making checks on them later and possibly facing a penalty charge if found to have wrongly claimed.

Health costs apply to NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and appliances, sight tests, glasses or contact lenses and other NHS items such as wigs or fabric support.

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) working with other health providers including pharmacists and dentists is urging patients to take proof with them if they know that they do not have to pay for health care to avoid any follow up checks.

Wendy Kerr, Financial Controller said: “We know that most people are honest, however more and more people are failing to show appropriate proof that they do not have to pay. Whilst they will still receive their treatment or item free of charge, if later checks show that they have wrongly claimed then they may be liable for a penalty charge or in some cases, prosecution.

“The penalty charge is calculated at five times the amount owed so a charge of £14.40 could turn into a penalty of £86.40.

“Also patients perhaps do not realise that it is their responsibility to check that the claim is correct before signing the prescription or form. It is just like checking any form before you sign it.

“This sort of fraud costs the NHS at a local level thousands of pounds each year which is money that we want to spend as a PCT on patient care.”

If you are unsure about your entitlement to receive help with paying for NHS costs you must pay for your prescription, dental treatment, sight test/contact lenses and ask for a receipt which shows the amount charged and date of payment – you can then apply for a refund within three months by asking your dentist, GP or optician for the relevant form.

Wendy added: “We want to ensure that only those patients who are entitled to receive help in paying for NHS treatment whether this is due to their age, the benefits they receive or their medical condition and that fraud taking place locally is greatly reduced.”

For more information on whether you are entitled to help in paying for NHS treatment please visit http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Abouthealthcosts.aspx or call the Health Benefit Division advice line on 0845 850 1166