Exemption from prescription charge on age grounds - under 16

[philly]

I had a prescription for a ptient born 16/03/1993 today. He insisted that he is exempt from prescription charge because of his age. I tried to explain that he is 16 years old, not UNDER 16, so he has to pay unless he is in full time education. However, my colleague came up and informed the patient that he is indeed exempt making me look like a fool. In these circumstances, I agreed to hand out the bag without charging the patient in order not to cause even more confusion.
Was my point right in this situation? I reckon that this patient was exempt on age grounds until 15/03/2009. Is that correct?

[DavidS]

well, what time was he born?

Only joking. Just put an X on the back of the script, and so long as he signed it, he'll be the one to pay the fine if they decide that's what's necessary. It really isn't your problem, IMO.

[sparkybw]

You are correct about the charges being applied once the child becomes 16. But the child will be exempt if he is 16, 17 or 18 and still in full-time education.

So effectively, if he is still at school then he is exempt so you were incorrect.

[philly]

You are correct about the charges being applied once the child becomes 16. But the child will be exempt if he is 16, 17 or 18 and still in full-time education.

So effectively, if he is still at school then he is exempt so you were incorrect.

I haven't said anything about whether he goes to school or not. Actually, I asked him and he said no so the bastard should pay

[GAZ]

i'm with you on this philly - if this person is exempt for other reasons they should know why, fill out the back of the script & if no evidence seen THEN mark BIG X on back of script....alternative = they could move to Wales!

[bobbin]

I had a prescription for a ptient born 16/03/1993 today. He insisted that he is exempt from prescription charge because of his age. I tried to explain that he is 16 years old, not UNDER 16, so he has to pay unless he is in full time education. However, my colleague came up and informed the patient that he is indeed exempt making me look like a fool. In these circumstances, I agreed to hand out the bag without charging the patient in order not to cause even more confusion.
Was my point right in this situation? I reckon that this patient was exempt on age grounds until 15/03/2009. Is that correct?

Yes, you are correct.

Fortunately, if he has ticked a box and signed the back the pharmacy will not be charged.

If a patient is willing to tick and sign, you cannot force them to pay, even if you know that they are not actually exempt. If they refused to pay AND they refused to tick and sign, you would have to tell them that you were not able to dispense the script.

[PtitpupUK]

I had a very rude teenager who couldn't understand that you had to be 17 AND in FULL time education to qualify. He was an apprentice. Then he was rude because he didn't have any money to pay. Then he found the instructions too complicated re: FP57 and HC2 form. Actually I wonder if he could actually read because as he was on low income I told him to check the rest of the exemptions he saw the word NHS in NHS tax credits and said "Well I saw an NHS doctor so it's free" DUH !!! He stormed off, then came back with his £7.20 a few minutes later, but still rudely refused the forms. Nevermind it was obviously not his money maybe mum&dad would have liked to see their money back !

I can't get the system in the UK. Or maybe it's just people that just think they'll be covered forever ! In France, when I registered with schools and uni, they had to have proof that I was covered under the welfare system before even taking me on. How many students/apprentices etc come to you then they look at you like they really don't know what you're talking about, are not happy about paying to claim back afterwards and all that... Is it due to lack of information or people just not actively seeking it in the first place?

[johnep]

Working in Cambridge with large student population, most do not realise that when they are 19 they have to pay unless have completed HC1 form.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

What's all the fuss about anyway.
After all we get paid for checking exemptions.
Just depends how much you are willing to do for TWO PENCE.

[bobbin]

Just depends how much you are willing to do for TWO PENCE.

I doubt that even covers the cost of using the PDQ (or whatever we're calling the card machine these days).

It's like being an unpaid tax collecter. Actually, it's worse because of 'switching'. We actually lose money for being a tax collecter.