If so, we’re here to tell you more about a useful way to potentially save a significant amount of money over the long-term. Let’s talk about purchasing an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate.
Read on to find out more, as we discuss NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificates and why they may be a good idea to consider, how much you can save by using one, and how to purchase one.
For patients that don’t have an active NHS exemption, a standard charge of £9.65 (valid from 1 April 2023) per prescription is applied. This is where the Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) comes in.
A useful way to better understand PPCs is to think of them as a “season ticket” for the train. Simply purchase a PPC for a set price, and you’ll be covered for as many NHS prescriptions as you need until your PPC expires.
The NHS currently offers two options when purchasing a PPC:
From 1 April 2023, a new PPC will be available for women taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medication.
It will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue and will only cost the price of two single prescriptions – from 1 April 2023 that will mean £19.30 for a year’s worth of HRT medication.
Not all HRT medications are included, so check to see if your medications are included. You will be able to check your eligibility and apply for it via the NHS Business Services Authority. As a provider of NHS services, we’ll be accepting all valid certificates at Phlo. It’s your responsibility to check your eligibility, apply and share your certificate with us.
PPCs are a brilliant way to save money as long as you’re taking more than 1 prescription per month. Let’s have a look at how much you can save with a PPC, using the single prescription charge and PPC prices valid from 1 April 2023.
Say you’re taking two repeat prescriptions for a chronic condition. Over a 12-month period this will cost you roughly £231.60.
However, if you purchase a 12-month PPC for the price of £111.60, you’ll have saved £120.00. That’s more than half the entire cost of your prescriptions for the year that you can save or spend elsewhere.
The savings get even better if you happen to take more prescriptions per month. Three prescriptions per month over the course of a year will net you £235.80 in savings with a 12-month PPC.
Before you purchase a PPC, you should first check if you’re eligible for an exemption. This can be quickly done on the NHS website, Who can get free prescriptions. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Phlo Patient Care team, who will be more than happy to help.
The fastest and easiest way to purchase a PPC is directly online, also via the NHS website, Buy an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate.
The 3-month PPC can only be paid for in a single instalment. When purchasing a 12-month PPC, you will also have the option to pay for it in 10 Direct Debit instalments of £10.81.
Once you’ve purchased your PPC, you’ll receive your certificate details by email, as it is faster and more environmentally friendly. Your PPC will be valid from the day of the purchase, so make sure you time your purchase right!
Once you’ve received your PPC, it’s time to let Phlo know. As a Phlo patient, you can update your exemption at any time from your Phlo account.
This can be done in a few quick steps:
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That’s it! Your prescriptions will be automatically covered until your PPC expires. If you run into any problems, please get in touch with us.
As the recipient of your PPC, you alone will be responsible for managing your PPC. This means paying for your PPC and ensuring that it’s valid.
It’s important not to use your PPC after it has expired. The NHS Business Authority runs checks to ensure that patients who claim free prescriptions are entitled to do so, and this includes patients using a PPC.
If you purchase a 12-month PPC, you’ll be entering into an agreement for 10 monthly instalments or a one-off payment which must be paid as agreed between you and the NHS, otherwise you run the risk of your PPC being invalidated.
Learn more about prescription charges and PPCs:
NHS - NHS prescription charges
NHS - Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)
There’s no better time to become part of the Phlo community. Take control of your medication management and join the 1,000s of patients we’ve helped safely manage their medication.
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