Help with NHS Costs UK — Free Prescriptions, Dental and Eye Tests

NHS care is mostly free, but some services have charges. Here’s how to get help with costs.

Prescription Costs

Who Gets Free Prescriptions

Exempt If You’re…	Details
Aged 60 or over	Automatic
Under 16	Automatic
16-18 in full-time education	Need proof
Pregnant	Need certificate (MatEx)
Had baby in last 12 months	Need certificate
Certain medical conditions	Need certificate (MedEx)
War pensioner (for condition)	For accepted disability

Medical Conditions That Qualify

Condition	Free Prescriptions?
Diabetes (not diet-controlled)	Yes
Hypothyroidism	Yes
Epilepsy requiring medication	Yes
Cancer (and effects of treatment)	Yes
Permanent fistula	Yes
Hypoparathyroidism	Yes
Diabetes insipidus	Yes
Myasthenia gravis	Yes
Addison’s disease	Yes

Apply using form FP92A from your GP.

Low Income Exemptions

Benefit/Status	Free Prescriptions?
Tax Credits + HC2	Yes
Universal Credit (nil income)	Yes
Income Support	Yes
Income-based JSA	Yes
Income-based ESA	Yes
Pension Credit (Guarantee)	Yes
NHS Low Income Scheme HC2	Yes

By Country

Country	Cost
England	£9.90 per item
Scotland	Free
Wales	Free
Northern Ireland	Free

Prepayment Certificates (England)

Type	Cost	Best If
3-month PPC	£32.05	Need 4+ items in 3 months
12-month PPC	£111.60	Need 12+ items in year
Monthly payments	£9.30/month	Spread cost

Buy online at nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc or call 0300 330 1341.

NHS Dental Charges

Treatment Bands (England)

Band	Cost	What’s Included
Band 1	£26.80	Examination, diagnosis, cleaning, X-rays
Band 2	£73.50	Above plus fillings, extractions, root canal
Band 3	£319.10	Above plus crowns, bridges, dentures

Free NHS Dental Care

Exempt If…	Details
Under 18	Or under 19 in full-time education
Pregnant	Or had baby in last 12 months
Receiving certain benefits	IS, income-based JSA/ESA, Pension Credit, UC (nil income)
HC2 certificate	Full help
Named on valid Tax Credit NHS exemption	Check eligibility

By Country

Country	Charges
England	3 bands as above
Scotland	Free for under 26s, band system for others
Wales	Free for under 25s and over 60s, bands for others
Northern Ireland	Similar band system

Eye Care

Free NHS Eye Tests

Exempt If…	Details
Under 16	Or under 19 in full-time education
Aged 60 or over	Automatic
Diagnosed glaucoma	Or at risk (over 40 with family history)
Diabetic	For glaucoma screening
Registered blind/partially sighted	Yes
On certain benefits	IS, JSA, ESA (income-based), UC, Pension Credit
HC2 certificate	Yes
Prisoner on leave	Yes

Help with Glasses/Contacts

Who Qualifies	Help Available
Children	NHS vouchers
Complex lenses needed	NHS vouchers
On certain benefits	NHS vouchers
HC2/HC3 certificate	Full or partial help

NHS Optical Vouchers

Category	Voucher Value
Basic single vision	£41.80+
More complex	Higher values
Contact lenses	Varies

NHS Low Income Scheme

What Is It?

Feature	Details
For	People on low income not on qualifying benefits
Certificates	HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help)
Covers	Prescriptions, dental, optical, travel
Assessment	Based on income and savings

Who Should Apply

Apply If…	Details
Low income	Below certain thresholds
Not on qualifying benefits	But still struggling
High health costs	Many prescriptions, dental work needed

How to Apply

Step	Action
1	Get form HC1
2	Fill in income/savings details
3	Send to NHS BSA
4	Receive HC2 or HC3 certificate
5	Show certificate when getting treatment

Where to Get HC1 Form

Location	Details
Online	nhsbsa.nhs.uk
Jobcentre Plus	Paper form
NHS hospitals	Ask at reception
Some pharmacies	May have copies

What Counts in Assessment

Counts	Doesn’t Count
Income	First £6,000 savings
Partner’s income	Main home value
Some savings (over £6,000)	Some disability benefits

Travel Costs

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme

Who Can Claim	Details
HC2 certificate holders	Full travel costs
HC3 certificate holders	Partial help
Receiving certain benefits	Check eligibility

How to Claim

Step	Action
1	Keep travel receipts
2	Get HC5 form at hospital
3	Submit claim
4	Reimbursement processed

Wigs and Fabric Supports

NHS Charges

Item	Charge
Wig (acrylic)	£77.85
Wig (partial human hair)	£197.30
Full human hair wig	£298.75
Fabric support	£47.40

Exemptions

Exempt If…	Details
Same groups as prescriptions	See prescription exemptions
Inpatient	When supplied during stay
Under 16	Or under 19 in education

Summary: Help with NHS Costs

Quick Eligibility Check

You May Get Help If…	What To Do
Over 60	Automatic for most things
Under 16/19 in education	Automatic
Pregnant/new baby	Get MatEx certificate
Medical condition	Apply for MedEx
On qualifying benefits	Show proof
Low income	Apply for HC2/HC3

Key Documents to Get

Document	What It’s For
MatEx (maternity exemption)	Free prescriptions/dental during pregnancy
MedEx (medical exemption)	Free prescriptions for conditions
HC2/HC3	Help with all health costs
PPC	Save on prescription costs

Useful Contacts

Service	Contact
NHS Low Income Scheme	0300 330 1343
PPC ordering	0300 330 1341
NHS website	nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs

Check your eligibility — many people pay for NHS services they could get free or reduced.