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Pregnancy

Maternity Exemption Card

25 replies

HellaBella0 · 13/03/2018 11:22

I filled in the form for a maternity exemption form when I found out i was pregnant (GP didn't want to see me due to lack of appointments and asked me to self refer to hospital which I've done).

This was a few weeks ago but I hadn't received anything so went to the surgery. They said the GP had rejected my form as there was no note of my pregnancy on file and that I'll have to come back once I've had my 12 week scan as proof?

Has anyone else experienced this? I had to pay for some pretty pricey dental work that I thought I'd be exempt for and previously I was told that the exemption is valid from start of pregnancy?

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tittletattoo · 13/03/2018 11:47

I wasn't able to get my MAT1B form until I was 25 weeks pregnant

Bluesnail · 13/03/2018 11:50

I didn't get the form to fill out until my booking in appointment which I had at about 8 weeks pregnant. It took about 2 or 3 weeks for official bit of paper to come back once it had been posted in. If I remember correctly it was signed by my midwife, but I definitely didn't have to wait until my scan to get it.

whampiece · 13/03/2018 11:52

It's not the MATB1

I never had to wait either; I would question that decision.

NimbleKnitter · 13/03/2018 11:53

My midwife gave me mine at booking in.

Not all dental treatment is free though - only NHS treatment that the dentist deems necessary

chickhonhoneybabe · 13/03/2018 11:55

Ask your midwife for the form at your booking in appointment. You can claim any costs for NHS prescriptions or NHS dental work back

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/maternity-exemption-certificates

HellaBella0 · 13/03/2018 12:22

Thanks all. No it's not the MATB1, I know i can't get that yet, is the exemption for dental and prescriptions. I've already had my booking appointment and mentioned it but the midwife but she said the GP should give it to me ( I didn't know it had been rejected at that point as just found that out today). Not long to go until my 12 week scan so might just wait now anyway but it's just a bit annoying.

It was nhs dental work so hopefully I'll be able to claim it back

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ClareB83 · 13/03/2018 12:33

I got the form at my booking appt too. I'd chase them as I don't think the sonographer at your 12 week scan will be able to do anything.

Emma145 · 13/03/2018 13:15

My midwife filled in the form at my booking in and I had the card within 2 weeks when I was about 9 weeks pregnant so strange they are making you wait!

IndominousRex · 13/03/2018 13:22

When they do issue it they will date the exemption card from one month before the date on which they receive the form. So it may cover your dentistry.

OrangeHorse · 13/03/2018 13:23

I think mine was done by my midwife at the booking appointment (around 9 weeks), but she did it wrong and it got sent back to me. I had to chase it up with the GP, was a massive pain. Although you can claim stuff back I think as long as you keep the receipts.

mintich · 13/03/2018 13:27

My midwife emailed me an online form, I just had to fill it out and got the certificate emailed to me. (At 8 weeks)

brogueish · 13/03/2018 15:02

My midwife filled in the form at booking appt, although I forgot to send it off until after my 16 week appt (mw reminded me because it was still in my notes).

I am pretty sure you can claim your dental fees back.

bathandpjs · 13/03/2018 17:33

The day after my BFP I went to my GP. I filled in the form and got the card 1 week or so later. I would have been about 5/6 weeks.

surreygirl1987 · 13/03/2018 18:31

I did mine at my midwife appointment at 8 weeks and rece8ved the card in the post 2 weeks later

Katyx3 · 13/03/2018 18:48

Mines just a paper form (dentist didn't even ask for it after I constantly reminded myself to take it!!) but couldn't have it signed until after 12 week scan x

MeadowHay · 13/03/2018 19:00

My GP did mine when I was 6 weeks as I got HG and needed medications for it so it meant I got the prescriptions free then. However the midwife can do it, I have no idea why your midwife essentially refused, or why your GP is now refusing as clearly there must be a note on file that you're pregnant now? I'd call the midwife and ask them to do it and explain you need it asap.

preggersteach · 13/03/2018 19:54

I didn't get mine until my 16 we k appointment and they filled it all in. I had had my 12 week scan obviously and they had given me a letter at the hospital for my gp to say I was pregnant and getting my care at that hospital, maybe they have to wait until then? I got told you don't get prescriptions all the way through but it is from something like week twenty that's why they don't fill the form in earlier

MeadowHay · 13/03/2018 19:59

Pregger That is incorrect, you are entitled to the free prescriptions/dental etc as soon as you are pregnant and the GP/midwife can apply for it at any point once they've confirmed you're pregnant. As I said, I got mine about 6 weeks.

OliviaPopeRules · 13/03/2018 19:59

Midwife signed mine so not sure why she referred you to the doctor.

whampiece · 13/03/2018 20:03

got told you don't get prescriptions all the way through but it is from something like week twenty that's why they don't fill the form in earlier

Who told you? There is not much point posting on here you were told something of it was by your neighbours cats aunties granny. If it was a legitimate source then fair enough.

As it happens it was probably the cat that told you because it's utter nonsense.

You are entitled to an exemption card as soon as you are pregnant. You just need a doctor or midwife to sign confirming said pregnancy.

preggersteach · 13/03/2018 20:14

By a pharmacist, I wouldn't put something on for advice/info if it had been someone pretty insignificant like that but thanks.

willdoitinaminute · 13/03/2018 20:19

You can claim back your dental charges. Go to the gov.uk site and there is an online form ( I think it is HC5) you can fill in. You will need your receipt from your dentist and your exemption cert when you receive it.
The will need the dates your treatment started and finished the BSA will confirm these with your dentist along with the charge you paid then refund the money.

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Eminado · 21/03/2018 13:02

May I ask, could you afford this treatment without the maternity exemption?
Ie would you have paid for it if you weren’t pregnant?

Deliverytostore · 21/03/2018 13:20

willdoitinaminute is correct. I have done this myself.

also sorry to mention this but if the pregnancy ends in a mc, you can still use the card for the 12 months.
Here's some more info
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/maternity-exemption-certificates

HellaBella0 · 22/03/2018 07:34

@Eminado yes I technically could. However at over £100, this being our first baby and only getting statutory maternity pay as I'm sure you can imagine that £100 would be very useful towards essentials for the baby.

Thank you for all of your comments, I have now sorted this and it turns out you were all correct, you can get this before 12 weeks. I spoke to a different doctor who said the original one who rejected it was wrong.

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