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Medical conditions

People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they have a valid medical exemption certificate. Find out more about medical exemption certificates and how to apply for one.
NHS Help with Health Costs

Medical Exemption Certificate Survey

Your views are important to us Please take part in our short survey to give us your views on our medical exemption certificate service. Your answers will help us to see how we are doing overall and find out how we can improve. You can be sure that…
About the NHSBSA

Check if you have an NHS exemption

Tax Credit payments made by HMRC ended on 5 April 2025 People receiving tax credits were moved to Universal Credit. After your tax credits were stopped, you must meet the Universal Credit conditions to be entitled to full help with health costs.…
NHS Help with Health Costs

Medical exemption certificates

It is the medical exemption certificate that entitles you to free NHS prescriptions, not the medical condition. If you do not have a valid medical exemption certificate, you may be liable for a penalty charge. Find out if you’re entitled to NHS…
NHS Help with Health Costs

Real Time Exemption Checking (RTEC)

Pharmacy contractors can find more information about RTEC, including how to register, on the Community Pharmacy England (CPE) website. RTEC lets your local pharmacy see if you need to pay for your NHS prescriptions. They will do this when you pick…
NHS Help with Health Costs

Don't get caught out by penalty charges

If you're claiming free prescriptions or dental treatment, do not assume you're automatically covered. Always check before you claim. Free prescriptions You're only entitled to claim if you meet the requirements:  Age You’re entitled to free…
NHS penalty charges

Check before you tick

Find out if you're entitled to free NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and help with other NHS costs using our eligibility checker. It usually takes 3 minutes to check. If you claim free NHS prescriptions or NHS dental treatment when you're…
NHS penalty charges

Free NHS prescriptions

Some groups are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions. Others can apply for certificates that entitle them to free NHS prescriptions. Some prescribed items are always free, including contraceptives and medication given to hospital…
NHS Help with Health Costs

Pregnant or had a baby in the past 12 months

If you’re pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months, you are entitled to: free NHS dental treatment free NHS prescriptions, if you have a valid maternity exemption certificate Speak to your midwife, doctor or health visitor and they…
NHS Help with Health Costs

Help with Health Costs - England 2023/24

Published 20 June 2024.  Page last updated 27 February 2025. Publication NHS Help with Health Costs 2023/24 statistical summary narrative (HTML) This dashboard will allow you explore the data in more detail. Summary  The NHSBSA administers a…
NHSBSA Statistics and Data Science
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