Jakub
I was studying and working part-time when I had a bad tooth infection. The dentist advised a minor operation but the fees were more than I could afford! Thankfully I had the option to apply for a certificate to cover part of the costs!
You are currently offline
Scroll down the page to view the next sections: 'Who can get help with the costs? ' and 'Applying for help with the costs'.
Key information
1. Most healthcare in the UK is free under the National Health Service (NHS)
These services are free to all regardless of immigration status:
- Treatment by a local doctor (GP)
- Care in an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department
- Family planning advice (contraception)
- Telephone advice line (111)
2. Most people pay for medications, dental care and eye care
The costs include:
- Medications - paid per item of medication (the current fee is £9.15)
- Dental care - the fee for check-ups and treatments. Most dentists provide NHS and private services. You may be able to choose the treatment you have under NHS charges or pay fully under private charges (costs vary between surgeries).
- Eye care - the fee for the sight test, spectacles and contact lenses (costs vary between stores). You can ask for your prescription and have your spectacles/ contact lenses dispensed online or in any opticians store.
3. Save money on frequent prescriptions with a ‘prepayment certificate’
If you need medication that is prescribed by a doctor and you’re not eligible for help with the costs, you will need to pay £9 for each item. A pre-payment certificate covers the costs of unlimited items over 3 or 12 months. The quickest way to buy a certificate is online here:
- 3 months - for £29.65
- 12 months - for £105.90 (with a direct debit payment option)
4. Some people get help to cover part or all medication, dental and eye care costs
This includes people who receive certain types of government financial support or fall into certain age groups. They may need to apply for an ‘exemption certificate’ to prove their eligibility. Check if you can get help:
- Online by entering information about yourself here
- By calling the NHS helpline on 0300 330 1343 (translation service is available)
Who can get help with the costs?
Most people pay for medications, dental care and eye care but some get help with these costs. The rules vary depending on what you need help with, so here we provide an overview of the main groups. Check if you can get help:
- Online here
- By calling the NHS helpline on 0300 330 1343 (with translation service)
Medications
The cost per item of medication is £9.15, but you can buy a pre-payment certificate to save money with frequent medications. Some groups get free medications by showing evidence of their eligibility at the point of purchase. They include:
-
Children aged under 16 years
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age or education status such as a birth certificate or passport
-
Children aged 16-18 years and in full-time education
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age or education status such as a birth certificate or passport
-
People aged 60 and older
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport
-
Women who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- Evidence of eligibility - a ‘medical exemption certificate’, which they need to apply for (see next section)
-
People who have certain medical conditions, such as chronic illnesses
- Evidence of eligibility - a ‘medical exemption certificate’, which they need to apply for (see next section)
-
People who receive certain types of financial support (benefits)
- Evidence of eligibility - an official award letter or statement showing the type of ‘benefits’ they receive
-
People who receive a low income and don’t qualify for financial support (benefits)
- Evidence of eligibility - an ‘HC2’ or ‘HC3’ certificate’, which they need to apply for (see next section)
NHS dental care
Fees are payable for check-ups, dental cleans and treatments. Some groups get free dental care by showing evidence of their eligibility at the point of purchase. They include:
-
Children aged under 18 years
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age or education status such as a birth certificate or passport
-
People aged 18 years and in full-time education
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age or education status such as a birth certificate or passport
-
Women who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- Evidence of eligibility - a ‘medical exemption certificate’, which they need to apply for (see next section)
-
People who receive certain types of financial support (benefits)
- Evidence of eligibility - an official award letter or statement showing the type of ‘benefits’ they receive
-
People who receive a low income and don’t qualify for financial support (benefits)
- Evidence of eligibility - an ‘HC2’ or ‘HC3’ certificate’, which they need to apply for (see next section)
NHS eye care
Fees are payable for the sight test, spectacles and contact lenses. Some groups get free sight tests and vouchers towards the cost of spectacles/ contact lenses by showing evidence of their eligibility at the point of purchase. They include:
-
Children aged under 16 years
- Type of help they receive - a free sight test & help towards the cost of spectacles / contact lenses
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age or education status such as a birth certificate or passport
-
Children aged 16-18 years and in full-time education
- Type of help they receive - a free sight test & help towards the cost of spectacles / contact lenses
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age or education status such as a birth certificate or passport
-
People aged 60 and older
- Type of help they receive - a free sight test
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport
-
People who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes and glaucoma
- Type of help they receive - a free sight test
- Evidence of eligibility - proof of their medical condition such as a letter written by their GP (local doctor)
-
People who receive certain types of financial support (benefits)
- Type of help they receive - a free sight test & help towards the cost of spectacles / contact lenses
- Evidence of eligibility - an official award letter or statement showing the type of ‘benefits’ they receive
-
People who receive a low income and don’t qualify for financial support (benefits)
- Type of help they receive - a free sight test & help towards the cost of spectacles / contact lenses
- Evidence of eligibility - an ‘HC2’ or ‘HC3’ certificate’, which they need to apply for (see next section)
Applying for help with the costs
People who get help with additional healthcare costs need to show evidence of their exemption. Some need to apply for a special certificate:
- If you are not confident in English, there are local organisations such as the ‘Haringey Migrant Support Centre’ who can help (read more about other organisations in our dedicated section ‘Other local help & support’)
Exemption certificates
They show you have a certain medical condition, and prove your eligibility for help with the additional costs of healthcare. You will need to complete an application form which you can get from your GP (local doctor), hospital specialist / midwife, or local pharmacist. There are two types of certificates:
- ‘Medical exemption certificate’ - includes a range of conditions, such as physical disability and certain types of diabetes
- ‘Maternity exemption certificate’ - for women who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
HC2 or HC3 certificates
If you have difficulty paying for additional healthcare and don’t qualify for other types of financial support (benefits), you may get help under the ‘NHS low income scheme’. You will need to complete an ‘HC1’ application form. You can download the form online here, or get a paper copy from your local JobCentre Plus, NHS hospital, dental surgery, opticians or pharmacy. The amount of help you will receive depends on your income:
- ‘HC2’ certificate - full help with additional costs
- ‘HC3’ certificate - partial help with additional costs