University Students' Prescription Fees In England: Free Or Not?

University students in England are not eligible for free prescriptions unless they are 18 or under or have a low income. Students in England who are 19 or over will have to pay for their prescriptions, regardless of whether they are studying at university or not. However, there are some exemptions for students with certain medical conditions or those receiving benefits. In contrast, prescriptions are free for students in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Students aged 16-18 in full-time education are exempt from prescription charges

Students in England who are aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education are automatically entitled to free prescriptions on the NHS. This applies to students at school, college, university, or home-schooled. However, once a student turns 19, they will have to pay for prescriptions unless they are exempt under other criteria.

To obtain an exemption for prescriptions based on income, students must apply using the HC1 form, which can be obtained from a GP's reception, ordered online, or by calling the Health Literature line on 0800 555 777. Students may also be eligible for help with NHS costs, including prescription charges, by applying for the NHS Low Income Scheme. This scheme is available to students whose annual income, including student maintenance loans, savings, and investments, does not exceed £16,000.

It is important to note that students who are exempt from prescription charges must still tick the exemption category on the rear of the prescription form. If you are 16, 17, or 18 years old, you may need to show proof that you are in full-time education. This can be avoided if your date of birth is printed electronically on your prescription.

Additionally, some prescribed items are always free, including contraceptives and medication given to hospital inpatients.

Students aged 19+ in England must pay for prescriptions

University students aged 19 and over in England are required to pay for their prescriptions. This is a change from the previous rules, where students in full-time education were exempt from prescription charges until the age of 19. Now, once a student turns 19, they must pay for prescriptions, regardless of their education status. This change has added to the financial burden of students, especially with the current cost of living crisis affecting the UK.

Who is eligible for free prescriptions in England?

While students aged 19+ in England must pay for prescriptions, there are certain groups who are automatically exempt from prescription charges. These include:

• Those aged 16 to 18 in full-time education
• Pregnant women or those who have had a baby in the previous 12 months with a valid maternity exemption certificate
• Individuals with a specified medical condition and a valid medical exemption certificate
• People with a continuing physical disability

In addition, individuals receiving certain benefits are also entitled to free prescriptions. These include:

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit (with specific criteria)

Prescription charges in England

The cost of prescriptions in England is currently £9.90 per item. This price is set by the Department of Health and usually increases slightly every April. However, due to the rising cost of living, the price was frozen in 2022 and increased by 30p to £9.65 in April 2023. For those with repeat prescriptions, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a prepayment certificate, which covers all prescriptions for 3 or 12 months upfront.

Options for students who cannot afford prescriptions

Students who are unable to afford prescription charges have a few options. They can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, which is based on their income and not their parents'. This scheme is available to individuals with an annual income of less than £16,000, which includes student maintenance loans. If eligible, students can receive full or partial help with healthcare costs. Additionally, students can reach out to their university for financial support or apply for an exemption card if they are from Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland and studying in England.

Students in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland get free prescriptions

Students in England who are aged 16-18 and in full-time education can get all prescriptions for free. This means that students in their first year of university will not have to pay for prescriptions. However, once a student turns 19, they will have to pay for most medications unless they are exempt. Exemptions include those with disabilities, people who are receiving benefits, or have a low income.

In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone. Students from these countries who are studying in England can get an exemption card to continue receiving free prescriptions while in England.

In Wales, if you live there but are registered with a GP in England, you will be issued an entitlement card that allows you to get free prescriptions in Wales.

Students can apply for an exemption card if they're Welsh, Scottish, or Irish

In England, students aged 16-18 in full-time education can get all prescriptions free of charge. However, once a student turns 19, they will have to pay for prescriptions unless they are exempt. This means that for students at university, prescriptions are not free in England.

However, if a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland is studying in England, they can apply for an exemption card to continue receiving free prescriptions. This is because prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and only in England do you have to pay once you're over 19.

To apply for an exemption card, a student will need to contact their GP and request a form to be completed by their doctor. The GP will need to verify that the student has a medical condition that entitles them to free prescriptions. Once the form has been completed, it should be sent to the appropriate Exemption department according to the student's NHS Board area.

Students with certain conditions may be entitled to a Medical Exemption Certificate, which entitles them to free prescriptions anywhere in the UK. These conditions include:

• A permanent fistula (such as caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance.
• Hypoadrenalism (such as Addison's Disease) requiring specific substitution therapy.
• Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
• Diabetes mellitus (unless treated by diet alone).
• Cancer, the effects of cancer, or the effects of cancer treatment.
• Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy.
• A continuing physical disability that means the patient cannot go out without assistance.

Students registered with a GP in Wales are entitled to free prescriptions from a pharmacist in Wales. If a student lives in Wales but is registered with an English GP, they will be issued with an entitlement card, which allows them to get prescriptions for free in Wales.

Students can apply for an HC2 certificate to help with health costs

In England, students who are aged 16-18 and in full-time education can get free prescriptions. However, once a student turns 19, they will have to pay for prescriptions unless they are exempt. Exemptions include students with disabilities, those receiving benefits, or those with a low income.

Students who are not exempt and have to pay for prescriptions can apply for an HC2 certificate to help with health costs. The HC2 certificate is part of the NHS Low Income Scheme and is available to students whose annual income, including student maintenance loans, savings, and investments, does not exceed £16,000.

The HC2 certificate entitles students to the following benefits:

• Free NHS prescriptions
• Free NHS dental treatment
• Free NHS sight tests
• Help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses
• Help with the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
• Free NHS wigs and fabric supports

The application process for the HC2 certificate involves filling out a HC1 form and providing evidence of any grants, bursaries, or awards received. The certificate can be valid for up to 12 months or until the last day of the academic year for final year students or those on a one-year course. It is important to note that claiming health costs after the certificate's expiry date may result in a penalty charge of up to £100.

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