You could save money by buying a
prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC)
It is generally worth
getting this certificate if you need 2 items per month on
prescription
Important
- check whether you can get free prescriptions before filling
in this form
To see if you can get free
prescriptions, look in leaflet HC11 (Help with Health Costs)
obtainable from Post Offices, some pharmacies and GP
surgeries.
Or get a copy by writing to Department of Health, PO Box 777,
LONDON SE1 6XH.
Or look at www.doh.gov.uk/nhscharges/hc11.htm
How to apply:
Download
the Application for Certificate of Prepayment of Prescription
Charges
(Word format). Print this form, complete
it, sign it, cut along the centre line and send the
application part to Cambridgeshire Health Authority. Keep the
Notes for reference.
Cambridgeshire Health Authority's
address for this is:
Cambridgeshire Health Authority
Vinery Road
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB1 3DX
The current cost of a PPC is in
leaflet HC12 (from Post Offices, Social Security offices and
pharmacists).
Or look at www.doh.gov.uk/nhscharges/hc12.htm
About the certificate:
You can only use the PPC for your own
NHS prescriptions.
The PPC will start from the date the Authority gets this form
unless you put a different start date overleaf. This cannot be
more than 7 days earlier, or one month later, than the
Authority gets this form.
If you have to pay a prescription charge while you are waiting
for your PPC, you cannot get a refund unless you have an NHS
receipt. The NHS receipt form is an FP57 (or EC57 in
Scotland). The pharmacist or dispensing doctor can only issue
an FP57 (EC57) at the time you pay a prescription charge; they
cannot give you one later. You can claim the prescription
charge(s) back, up to 3 months after paying, the FP57 (EC57)
tells you what to do.
Remember to apply for a new PPC in good time, otherwise you
will have to pay charges when your old PPC runs out.
Refunds of PCC Fees:
If you wish to claim a refund of your
PPC fee please send the original certificate back to us and
state why you want a refund.
A full refund may be claimed for 4 or
12 month PPC fees if, within the first month, you become
entitled to free prescriptions, or the holder dies. A
proportional refund may be claimed for 4 or 12 month PPC fees
if the holder dies after the first month. A partial refund may
be claimed for 12 month PPC fees if, within months 2-4 of the
PPC, you become entitled to free prescriptions. For full
details on PPC refund arrangements including the time limit
for claiming a refund check leaflet
HC11