Medical Exemption Certificate

Hi . Nice to hear from you again and I hope you are still doing well. I cannot answer your question, but could I suggest you call the free helpline on 0808 808 0000 (open till 8pm) . They have experts on hand in these matters and should be able to offer advice. Best wishes.

Bad luck on receiving a penalty charge notice.

Having a permanent stoma entitles you to free appliances and medications if you have a medical exemption certificate or have reached  qualifying age of 60. The exemption does not just apply to your condition but for every NHS prescription issued even from the dentist.

You should try and appeal the charge notice but you have to be quick off the mark please see this newspaper article on How to appeal.

I hope you are successful please let us know how you get on as I am under the impression that you should have received a reminder letter and of course the pharmacy or supply company should have asked to see evidence of your exemption at every point of dispensing and not take it for granted because you ticked the box.

Hope the above helps and you have a successful appeal.

Ian

Edits made to the above post with apologies for my omissions

Ian

PCNS are a nuisance of modern life but must be backed up by hard evidence. In light of your comments, I'd write to the NHSBSA, refuse to pay and copy your MP.

CB

They send me a reminder every 5 years for my MEC.

I'd appeal too, all the best with it! 

Hi all

Thought this might be of interest to all

https://iasupport.org/about/publications/factsheets/medical-exemption-certificate/

Courtesy of the IA support group

Ian

Thanks, that’s wonderfully helpful information. From chatting to my GP receptionist seems that’s what has occurred, the MEC expired but no reminder was sent out to me. Reading that this has happened to a lot of other people in a similar situation it almost makes you think that this deliberate as some form of revenue raising exercise.

Additionally does seem rather “Kafka-esque” that one has to renew an MEC for something that is described even on the application form as a permanent condition ‍♀️ 

I didn't get a reminder either. Luckily,  I'd turned 60 in the meantime.

I've always kept a record of when it's due too, then you don't get caught out.  Can't always trust people.  

I'm sure that for my first 2 I just filled a form out online, but this time the Dr had to sign it.  Can anyone shed any light on this matter, have things changed?  I was concerned that I would be charged for medz so rang them up, they said that they would just renew my MEC knowing that I may have to wait for the Dr.