Prescription charges for the over sixties

That's £36 a month for me then. Ate well, kept myself fit and healthy, never smoked, drink little and all my problems are due to 'age' according to the unhelpful consultant. And now I will, in effect, have to pay for my treatment.

I am 60 and a carer for my husband who is the same age, he is unable to work , likewise myself as I have to care for him. We are in the lucky position of having paid off our mortgage ( basically by going without foreign holidays , new cars etc when we were working ) He gets basic PIP , and ESA and I carers allowance. That is it as we do have over the threshold in savings . We live off what we receive . One of the plus points of reaching 60 was free prescriptions . I already feel robbed of not getting a bus pass / pension until I'm 67

I am furious that they are making over 60's pay for their prescriptions and as for saying pensioners are well off some are not despite having private pension because the private pension is only small. We paid into the system, and we deserve the free bus passes, heating allowances and free prescriptions. Not all pensioners are comfortably off. Some are just above the threshold for pension credit. I do NOT support this.

Surprised? Everything is going up and sure not first benefit to be took back! Got make millions of pounds to pay for last nearly two years wasted money!!!

kittylester that's not fair though either because they set the threshold too low. Having to pay for these things can drop someone into the area of not being able to afford other essentials.

It would cost more to administer if some over 60’s who work have to pay whilst many over 60’s are retired and could not pay £9 per item especially as often they are on polymedication! It’s not unusual to have 4-5 different meds, think £9 is excessive anyway,

When it comes to healthcare, everybody should get free everything.

And, pensioners who are not well off should get free everything. But those who are better off shouldn"t.

I just want to mention that not all pensioners are well off.
I most definitly am not.

If you are on a low income you need to complete form HC1.

This is a PDF that you can download. www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Documents/2016/HC1-April-2016.pdf

This is a form you can complete online. www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

You can also get hard copy forms from some dentists, opticians, doctors and pharmacies but not all stock them.

Depending on your income and savings you could also qualify for free dentistry, free eye tests and glasses, wigs, appliances and bus fares to hospital appointments.

Lin52

nanna8

You’re lucky. We have to pay though it is reduced after you turn 65. I think in most countries you would have to pay. Sense of entitlement going on here.

Absolutely agree. My family in Germany have to pay compulsory health insurance. All have to pay ,wether working o working or not, but their access to care is amazing. MRI done within 24 hrs, varicose vein removal, under light sedation, can’t get mine done at all. The trouble is all our taxes go into one pot, Germany keep theirs separate and people can claim money back.

Same for France and I have had no problem even through covid, I see my doctor face to face in a couple of days ( I am not in the countryside). Hospital and dental appointments were quick and my neighbours have had cancer treatment and hip replacements.

It seems very cruel and unjust to charge sick people for their treatment when during the last year extortionate sums were given to others, for goods that were not delivered or substandard ( is this money going to be refunded) and payment of work (£6000 plus per day for one person?).

I am not good at maths but £13.5 billion debt divided by £350 million saved each week should be counted in the sum as promised for the NHS. Maybe a mathematician could do the sums.

nanna8

You’re lucky. We have to pay though it is reduced after you turn 65. I think in most countries you would have to pay. Sense of entitlement going on here.

Absolutely agree. My family in Germany have to pay compulsory health insurance. All have to pay ,wether working o working or not, but their access to care is amazing. MRI done within 24 hrs, varicose vein removal, under light sedation, can’t get mine done at all. The trouble is all our taxes go into one pot, Germany keep theirs separate and people can claim money back.

NannyJan53

I received 'free' prescriptions at 60. I reached State Pension Age at 64 1/2.

It seems to me this is the slow journey to privatise the NHS by the back door. There are already minor procedures being charged for, (ie removing ear wax which Mum aged 91 had to pay £50 for recently at Boots) which used to be done by your GP surgery. Anyone who voted Tory surely must have realised this was going to happen, despite their vehement denials at election time.

You do realise the biggest privatisation was done under the last Labour Government. My GP surgery still does ear rinsing, but on the whole it is discouraged, softening ear drops will work over time, as more damage can be done by syringing it out.

Good post Lins. I wonder where we apply to opt out of tax.

You can also get one for 32.50 for three months, which may be easier for many people .

Doodledog

nadateturbe

Doodledog I'm not sure how the system operates as I live in NI, but I was under the impression that if you were of working age and not claiming benefits you had to pay for prescriptions.
It just seems logical that if people are paying it should be all those working and not just under 60s. And stop paying when you retire.
Kali yes often £9 is very little compared to the actual cost, but it's still a lot of money for many people. Much too high imo. And there are times when the actual cost is less than £9.

Sorry - to answer your question, yes, in England, if you are not claiming benefits (or suffering from particular conditions) you pay for prescriptions whether you are paying tax or not. Most people do pay, at least until they are 60.

Not everyone not working is retired, though. Some of those not working will be in receipt of benefits (eg the unemployed, those too ill to work and at least some of those who can't work work because they are caring for others who are ill), so won't pay for prescriptions, rightly, IMO. There may be other groups that I have overlooked, but the same would apply if they are not working because they are unable to do so.

I am asking about those who are not working because they choose not to. You say if people are paying it should be all those working and not just under 60s. And stop paying when you retire, which excludes this group, and I was just asking whether you think that they should pay or not, (whether they are older or younger than 60), or should they still get prescriptions free, as you imply? What about those who can't afford to retire and continue to work until 70+? Should they continue to pay both tax and prescription charges when others don't?

I agree that £9 is a lot for many people to find, particularly when some conditions require multiple prescriptions. Even a pre-paid 'season ticket' is a lot for someone on minimum wage. and it seems to me unfair that someone in this situation should have to pay when others don't.

I know I am always banging this drum, but if we all (individually) paid more tax we could all get things like prescriptions free, and there could be a better education system and higher pensions for everyone.

If someone chooses not to work, they should (IMO) be charged a regular contribution - perhaps paid for by their partner, or out of whatever other funding allows them to afford not to work.

IMO it is not fair to have a system that compels someone on minimum wage to contribute when someone better off can just 'opt out' of paying tax, and 'opt in' to the NHS etc. Everyone should contribute unless they are unable to, in which case they should be treated exactly as though they have paid in.

Would love to know how people can opt out of paying tax, possibly those too young to be paying tax, or people working under the radar working for cash in hand, who should be paying tax. As a retired Nurse, I am still paying tax on my pension, but would rather this went into a separate pot specifically for the NHS to provide social care if needed.

Ilovecheese

So this is the thin end of the wedge towards privatised health care. Not really a surprise.

Ridiculous statement. People with long term illness should be exempt, from payment although 90% of England do not pay for prescription charges, and not all benefit recipients get free medication. There is a low income scheme for the NHS which can help some people. The actual cost of many prescriptions are much greater than a nine pound cap, and you can get a 3 month pre payment certificate which reduces the cost. Which I will enter into my budget when the time comes. As for those free bus passes, why not a charge as National Express do, £10 per year, would raise money, those on low incomes stay free. We cannot expect free everything, as the population continues to rise, something needs to be done to raise extra money to pay

I received 'free' prescriptions at 60. I reached State Pension Age at 64 1/2.

It seems to me this is the slow journey to privatise the NHS by the back door. There are already minor procedures being charged for, (ie removing ear wax which Mum aged 91 had to pay £50 for recently at Boots) which used to be done by your GP surgery. Anyone who voted Tory surely must have realised this was going to happen, despite their vehement denials at election time.

I am sorry to hear your situation whiff. It illustrates why it is ridiculous to give comfortably off pensioners free prescriptions etc.

DH and I have to take daily medication too but we could afford buy the prepayment card and I see no reason why we shouldn't.

Until I was 60 I paid for a yearly prescription card. It's the only way I could afford the amount of tablets I have to take. I have been ill since I was 29 now 63. I was widowed 17 years ago. Because I have no name of my illness as it's a variety of neurological problems. And yes there are thousands like me with illness that hasn't been label. My neurologist has other patients like me but not with exactly the same symptoms.

Because of no label I have never been able to claim any benefits or work as I don't know how I am going to be everyday.

My husband was only 47 when he died what he left is long gone. And only my inheritance from my mother keeps me going. But by the time I get my state pension my savings will be gone.

For people like me if I had to pay for every item I have to take I couldn't have the tablets. I dread to think what would happen. It's terrifying thought.

And before anyone thinks I will get a good pension. I will only get the basic and even though my husband paid into the system for 30 years and paid a lot . I have been told I will get 43p a week from what he paid.

Those of you who think we shouldn't get free prescriptions at 60 I hope you never get so ill you need tablets for you everyday existence. And it must be nice being you with no money worries.

Excellent post Big Bertha1, totally agree. Speak as someone who works in primary care.

The prescription service and conditions have long needed an overhaul. The prescribing budget is always huge and overspend, a large number of prescriptions are wasted as they are not taken, the system allows hoarding, the clinical conditions which are allowed free scripts is illogical, and the controversy surrounding free scripts for over the counter meds has raged for ages as well as free scripts for over 60s Whole system review needed. I speak as a retired nurse and nurse prescriber.

It could realistically be applied at state pension age without too much argument. Our state pension rates are low compared to the rest of Europe so there's a good argument for keeping the pension arrangements as they are currently.

welbeck Google NHS low income scheme. It's not that well advertised and is a bit of a hassle to apply for, but worth it if you're eligible.