Medical costs
For some people, medical costs are an ongoing expense, particularly if you wear contacts or are diabetic or asthmatic. Generally, non-prescription stuff like contact lens solution is just going to have to be part of your budget.
However, all too often, extra medical costs come as a nasty insult added to the injury of being ill or hurt in the first place. Fortunately the NHS, despite all the complaints, is still free and offers a pretty high standard of care. A lot better than anything most students could afford in the world of private healthcare, anyway.
Nonetheless because most students are over the age of 19, or will turn 19 in their first year, they don't get away with paying nothing: there are charges for prescriptions, eye tests and dental appointments.
Though you aren’t automatically exempt from prescription charges and the like, as a student with a low income you may be entitled to help with charges for eye tests, prescriptions and dental treatment through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Take a look at the booklet HC11, 'Are you Entitled to Help with Health Costs?', available from your local benefits agency and probably from the students’ union welfare department and the university’s health service.
If you’re eligible, you will need to fill in an HC1 claim form, which you can get from a Social Security Office or your doctor. Once you’ve filled that in and sent it off, you’ll get an HC2 certificate which entitles you to full help with health costs.
Alternatively, the Prescription Pricing Authority can give more information or an HC1 form – check out www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/low_income.htm or call them on 0845 850 1166.
If you’ve forgotten to go through all this palaver or you’ve already had to pay out for treatment or prescriptions, keep your receipts – you might still be able to claim a refund for part of it.
Last updated on: 07 October 2008