Exemption Certificate for free prescriptions

Certain patients that do not fall into the above categories are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions. In order for qualifying patients to get free prescriptions, they need to first obtain an Exemption Certificate from NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA).

There are three types of Exemption Certificates:

1. Maternity

A patient is entitled to a maternity exemption certificate if, at the time of application, she is pregnant or has given birth in the last 12 months. These are usually obtained from a midwife, who must sign it for the patient.

• Maternity certificates expire 12 months after either:
• baby’s due date.
• the birth of baby.
• If the baby is born later than expected, patients can contact NHS BSA with a copy of the baby’s birth certificate for an extension and a new certificate.
• In the case of a miscarriage or a stillborn baby, patients can continue to use the certificate for free NHS prescriptions until it expires.

2. Medical

Medical exemptions certificates

• last for 5 years.
• patients must renew through the GP practice by re-applying through the same process outlined below.
• NHS BSA send patients a reminder one month before the current certificate expires.

3. NHS Tax Credit

These are handled directly by HM Revenue and Customs, so we do not organise these.

Processing forms

To apply for the Exemption Certificate, patients first need to fill out the correct application form, which they get from our GP surgeries.

1. Patients obtain a form from Reception:
• Form FW8 for Maternity.
• Form FP92A for Medical exemptions.
2. Patients return the completed form to Reception.
• When patients return the form, ask them if they would like to post it back to NHS BSA themselves or if they want us to post it for them. (Surgeries have self-addressed envelopes for the forms).
3. Receptionist puts completed form into GP “to be signed” box.
4. Once the form has been signed by the GP do either of the following:
1. for patients who want to post the form themselves: text to the patient via Accurx to ask them to collect form and envelope from the surgery.
2. we post it for them: text the patient via Accurx to tell them that the form has been signed by GP and we are posting it. Then put form in the post.

Timings for the process

• The whole process, from filling out the application form to receiving the Exemption Certificate, can take up to 4 weeks to complete, so prepare the patient for waiting.
• NHS BSA backdate certificates to start one month before the date of receipt of application to compensate for the processing time.
• Paper exemption certificates are posted directly to patients within 10 working days of NHS BSA receiving the application.