Savanna Hoffman
University students can get free prescriptions under certain circumstances. Students aged 16, 17, or 18 who are in full-time education are exempt from paying prescription charges. Students can also apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, which is based on their income rather than their household income. Additionally, students with certain medical conditions, continuing physical disabilities, or specified medical conditions may be eligible for free prescriptions with a valid medical exemption certificate. Contraceptives, STI treatments, and testing are also free for students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University students' eligibility for free NHS prescriptions | Depends on age, income, and medical conditions |
| Age exemption | 16, 17, or 18 years old and in full-time education |
| Low-income scheme | Savings, investments, or property value do not exceed £16,000 |
| Medical exemption | Pregnancy, specific medical conditions, physical disabilities |
| NHS certificate | HC2 for full help, HC3 for partial help |
| Prescription cost | £9.35 per item (as of 2021), £9.90 per item (from May 2024) |
| Prepayment options | 3-month certificate for £32.05, 12-month certificate for £114.50 |
| Free services and medications | Contraceptives, STI testing and treatment, vaccinations |
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What You'll Learn
NHS Low Income Scheme
University students can apply for free prescriptions under the NHS Low Income Scheme. The scheme is intended to reduce the cost of NHS prescription charges, NHS dentistry, sight tests, glasses and contact lenses, necessary costs of travel to receive NHS treatment, NHS wigs and fabric supports. It is not necessary to be in receipt of any benefits to qualify for the scheme. However, people entitled to most means-tested benefits do not need to use the scheme as they are exempt from these charges.
To qualify for the NHS Low Income Scheme, your savings, investments or property value must not exceed a certain threshold. This threshold is typically £16,000, although one source mentions a figure of £6,000, and another mentions £24,000 for those living in a care home.
If you are eligible for the scheme, you will receive either an HC2 certificate for full help or an HC3 certificate for partial help. To apply for the scheme, you must apply online and supply evidence of any grants, bursaries, and awards you receive.
It is important to note that the NHS Low Income Scheme does not entitle you to NHS treatment. It helps people who are already entitled to NHS treatment with certain costs.
In addition to the NHS Low Income Scheme, there are other ways for university students to access free or reduced-cost prescriptions and healthcare. For example, contraceptives, STI treatments and testing, and certain vaccinations are all free and advised for students by the NHS. If you have a continuing physical disability or a specified medical condition, you may be eligible for a medical exemption certificate. If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, you are also eligible for free prescriptions with a valid maternity exemption certificate.
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HC2 Certificate
University students can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme to get free prescriptions. Eligibility is based on income rather than household income. To qualify, your savings, investments, or property value must not exceed £16,000. If you need full help, you can receive an HC2 certificate, and if you only need partial help, you can receive an HC3 certificate.
If you need to renew your HC2 certificate, you will need to complete a new HC1 form. If you claim help with health costs after your certificate expires, you may be charged a penalty of up to £100. If you lose or damage your certificate, you can request a replacement, which will arrive within 10 working days. If your name changes, you will need to send in your existing certificate, along with proof of your new name.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of your claim, you can request a review by a service improvement advisor. The service improvement team will check whether your claim was correctly assessed, and if the decision was wrong, a new certificate will be sent to you. You can request a review online via the NHS Business Services Authority website or by post.
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Free contraceptives and STI treatments
University students are advised by the NHS to get tested for STIs and use contraceptives. Testing for STIs is free and can be done by dropping by an STI clinic or a GP. The NHS also recommends students get important vaccinations before the first few weeks of term, such as the MenACWY vaccination, which protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia.
Students can also access free contraceptives, which are available to everyone, regardless of whether they are a UK or international student. Condoms are available for free in various locations, such as the UHS toilets, Student Advice Centre, and Students' Guild Wellbeing Cabinets.
Students may also apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, which is based on their income rather than household income. To be eligible, a student's savings, investments, or property value must not exceed £16,000. If eligible, they can receive either a HC2 certificate for full help or a HC3 certificate for partial help.
Additionally, students with certain medical conditions may be eligible for a medical exemption certificate (MedEx) for free prescriptions. These conditions include cancer, a permanent fistula, hypoadrenalism, diabetes, and a continuing physical disability. Students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months are also eligible for free prescriptions with a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx).
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Free prescriptions for under 16s and over 60s
In the UK, everyone aged over 60 gets free NHS prescriptions. If you're under 60, you can save money on prescriptions by buying prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) from the NHS for 3 or 12 months. This covers all your prescriptions for that period, no matter how many you need. If you're 60 or over, you're also entitled to a free NHS sight test, so be sure to inform your optician when you turn 60. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for additional NHS cost assistance.
If you receive Universal Credit and meet the criteria for assistance with health costs, you can contact the NHS Business Services Authority about claiming a refund. They will consider applications on a case-by-case basis. If you have long-term medical conditions and require frequent prescriptions, you may be interested in a prepayment prescription certificate (PPC). There are different PPC payment plans that can save you money in the long run.
Additionally, people with certain medical conditions may be eligible for free prescriptions if they have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx). These include cancer, permanent fistulas, hypoadrenalism, diabetes, and continuing physical disabilities that require assistance when going outside. If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, you can also get free prescriptions with a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx).
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Free prescriptions for pregnant women
Pregnant women are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental care, check-ups, and treatment during their pregnancy and for 12 months after giving birth. This is regardless of their immigration status. However, to avail of this benefit, pregnant women must have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx).
Maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
A MatEx certificate can be applied for by contacting your doctor, midwife, or health visitor. The certificate will be sent via email or post and will last until 12 months after the expected date of birth. If the baby is born early, the certificate can continue to be used until it expires. If the baby is born after the due date, an extension can be applied for. If the application is made after the baby is born, the certificate will be valid for 12 months from the date of birth.
HC2 certificate
Pregnant women with a low income can apply for an HC2 certificate to receive help with sight tests, glasses, and travel costs to the hospital for treatment. This is in addition to the free prescriptions and NHS dental care that all pregnant women can get.
Refunds
If you have already paid for treatment, you may be able to get some or all of the costs refunded. Prescription charges will only be refunded if Form FP57 was requested at the time of payment. To apply for a refund, Form HC5 must be completed within three months of the treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Students aged 16, 17, or 18 in full-time education are automatically exempt from paying prescription charges. Students who are older can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme if their savings, investments, or property value do not exceed £16,000.
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx). Conditions that qualify include cancer, hypoadrenalism, diabetes, and continuing physical disabilities.
Students who are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months are eligible for free prescriptions if they have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx).
You may be interested in getting a prepayment prescription certificate (PPC). There are different PPC payment plans that can save you money in the long run.
Contraceptives, STI treatments, and testing are all free and advised for students by the NHS. First-time university students up to the age of 25 are eligible for the MenACWY vaccination, which protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia.
