How do I get an NHS exemption certificate?

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All NHS prescriptions are free if you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland. There are usually charges in England. But if you have cancer, you can apply for a certificate to get free prescriptions. This is called a medical exemption certificate.

How do I get a medical exemption certificate?

You qualify for an exemption certificate if you are receiving treatment for:

• cancer
• the effects of cancer
• the effects of cancer treatment

You can get a form to apply for the certificate from your GP, pharmacy or cancer clinic. Your GP or hospital doctor will need to sign the form. You get the certificate within 10 days of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) receiving your form. The certificate is a card the size of a credit card.

Once you have the certificate, you won't have to pay for any prescriptions. This includes medicines that aren't related to your cancer treatment. You show the certificate to the pharmacist when you go to get your medicines.

If you need to pay for any prescriptions before your exemption certificate arrives, you can get a refund. You need to ask for an FP57 refund receipt at the time you pay for the prescription. The refund receipt has details on how to get the refund. You must claim your refund within 3 months of paying for your prescription.

You might not need an exemption certificate if you are already able to get free prescriptions. For example, if you are over 60 years, or under 16 years, or you are receiving certain benefits. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or specialist nurse if you are not sure whether you are able to get free prescriptions. Or you can check details on the NHS website.

• Check if you can get free prescriptions

How long does the certificate last for?

The medical exemption certificate lasts for 5 years. You can renew it after this time if you still meet the criteria. It is important to check the date for when the certificate expires. If you use it after this time you could be fined up to £100.

If you suffer from certain medical conditions you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK.

A medical exemption certificate (form EC92A) is the document that provides proof of entitlement to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK.

In Scotland, a medical exemption certificate should only be applied for if you need a prescription dispensed in England.

Patients suffering from any of the conditions (listed below) continue to be eligible to apply for a medical exemption certificate. GPs verify the patient's eligibility for the appropriate medical exemption.

Patients who require a prescription to be dispensed in England will benefit from holding a medical exemption certificate. For patients who do not have these requirements, there is no need to apply for a medical exemption certificate.

Free NHS prescriptions

Any Scottish prescription form presented for dispensing in Scotland will be dispensed free of charge.

Any Welsh or Northern Irish prescription form presented for dispensing in Scotland will be dispensed free of charge.

Any English prescription form presented for dispensing in Scotland will be charged at the English rate, unless:

What kind of medical conditions entitle you to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK?

These conditions entitle you to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK:

• Permanent Fistula (including caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance
• forms of Hypoadrenalism (including Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is required
• Diabetes Insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism
• Diabetes mellitus except when treatment is by diet alone
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Myxoedema
• Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy
• a continuing physical disability which prevents a patient from leaving a residence without the help of another person

Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months.

Reapplying for your medical exemption certificate

If you're under 60 years old, you only need to reapply for your medical exemption certificate if you need to have a prescription dispensed in England.

If so, contact your GP surgery in Scotland and ask a GP to complete a Medical Exemption (EC92A) form.

You and your GP must sign the form and the appropriate medical condition must be ticked.

After the form has been completed, send the form into the appropriate Practitioner Services Exemption Department in the Medical Contacts Details section.

Renewing your medical exemption certificate

If you're 60 years of age or over you're not required to renew your medical exemption certificate.

You're automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK.

Maternity exemption certificate

A maternity exemption certificate is a certificate for expecting mothers and mothers who have borne a child within the previous 12 months. The certificate entitles you to receive free NHS dental treatment throughout the UK for the duration of the certificate.

A maternity exemption application form can be obtained from:

• your GP
• your midwife
• NHS Hospital Doctor

The above professionals have to complete the maternity exemption application form which is then sent to the appropriate Practitioner Services Exemptions Department.

The Exemption Department will then process the application form and your exemption certificate will be sent to you by post.

A lost medical/maternity exemption certificate

Please contact the appropriate Practitioner Services Exemption Department in the Medical Contact Details section.

The Exemption Department will send you a duplicate copy of your exemption certificate to you by post.

Is my maternity exemption certificate still valid if my baby is stillborn?

Your certificate is valid if, within the last twelve months, you've given birth to a live child or a child registered as still-born in accordance with the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965.

I have a valid maternity/medical exemption certificate, can I use the certificate anywhere within the UK?

A valid maternity/medical exemption certificate can be used throughout the UK.

Does my maternity exemption certificate entitle me to free NHS dental treatment?

You can get free NHS dental treatment if, you're pregnant or have borne a child within the 12 months before the treatment starts. Your maternity exemption certificate will be accepted by your NHS dental practice as evidence that you're entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

What is an NHS exemption certificate?

Do I qualify for NHS exemption?

How do I apply for prescription exemption?

How do I contact NHS for exemption?