In this Section:
Are you a medical professional?
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Click here to get all the advice and support you need, for the services you provide.
The current list of medical exemptions will remain and patients suffering from
any of the listed conditions will continue to be eligible to apply for a Medical
Exemption Certificate. GPs will continue to verify the patient’s eligibility for
the appropriate medical exemption.
Patients who wish to register for the Minor Ailment Service or 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.
Maternity Exemption Certificates will be required to verify a patient’s entitlement to register for the Minor Ailment Service (MAS) and for entitlement to exemption if a prescription is dispensed in England. They are also required for expectant/nursing mothers to receive free dental treatment.
Am I entitled to free NHS prescriptions?
What is a Medical Exemption Certificate (EC92A)?
What kind of Medical conditions entitle you to free NHS prescriptions?
If I have one of the medical conditions that entitles me to free NHS prescriptions, what do I need to do?
I am under the age of 60, how do I apply for, or renew a medical exemption certificate?
I am 60 or over do I need to renew my medical exemption certificate?
What is a Maternity Exemption Certificate (FW8)?
I have lost my medical/maternity exemption certificate, how do I get a duplicate?
Does my maternity exemption certificate entitle me to free dental treatment?
Is my maternity exemption certificate still valid if my baby is stillborn?
I have a valid maternity/medical exemption certificate, can I use the certificate anywhere within the United Kingdom?
Am I entitled to free NHS prescriptions?
Any Scottish prescription form presented for dispensing in Scotland will be dispended 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 dispensind in Scotland will be charged at the English rate, unless the prescription form is accompanied by an Entitlement Card, confirming the patient is eligible to receive the items free of charge, or the patient qualifies for exemption/remission of charges as listed in Regulation 4 of the NHS (Free Prescriptions and Charges for Drugs and Appliances)(Scotland) Regulations 2011 or The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000 as amended.
What is a Medical Exemption Certificate (EC92A)?
If you suffer from certain medical conditions you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK. A Medical Exemption Certificate 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 or if you would like to register for the Minor Ailment Service.
What kind of medical conditions entitle you to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK?
The medical conditions listed below entitle you to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK:
Permanent Fistula (including caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ilestomy) 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
Hypoparathyriodism
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
If I have one of the medical conditions that entitles me to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK, and would like to register for the Minor Ailment Service or if I require a prescription dispensed in England, what do I have to do?
Contact your GP Practice and ask a GP to complete a Medical Exemption (EC92A) form. Your GP is required to complete the EC92A to verify that you have a medical condition that entitles you to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK.
You and your GP are required to complete the form and you must make suitable arrangement to complete the patient’s part of the form.
I am under the age of 60, do I reapply for my medical exemption certificate?
You only need to reapply for your medical exemption certificate, if you wish to register for the Minor Ailment Service or if you require 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.
I am 60 or over do I need to renew my medical exemption certificate?
Patients who are aged 60 and over are not required to renew their medical exemption certificate.
You are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions throughout the UK, and are eligible to register for the Minor Ailment Service.
What is a 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 prescriptions and NHS Dental treatment throughout the UK for the duration of the certificate.
A Maternity Exemption application form can be obtained from the following professionals:
The above professionals have to complete the Maternity Exemption application form which is sent to the appropriate Practitioner Services Exemptions Department in the Medical Contact Details section.
The Exemption department will then process the application form and your exemption certificate will be sent to you by post.
I have lost my medical/maternity exemption certificate, how do I get a duplicate?
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 have given birth to a live child or a child registrable as still-born under the Regulations of Birth, Death & Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965.
I have a valid maternity/medical exemption certificate, can I use the certificate anywhere within the United Kingdom?
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 are pregnant or have borne a child within the 12 months before the treatment starts. Your maternity exemption certificate may be accepted by your NHS Dental Practice as evidence that you are entitled to free NHS Dental treatment.