Prescription penalty charge

[SleepyTinker]

I have received a prescription penalty charge 😭😭😭

They claimed that I used free prescription on/from 18 June 2019-30 June 2019.

I gave birth on the 20th June 2018 but my maternity exemption expired on 15th June 2019. My expected date calculated by GP was 15 June 2018 but when I went in for dating scan it was changed to 20th June 2018, by that time I already had my maternity exemption certificate. My daughter was born on 20th June 2018 so legally I was exempted from all prescriptions from 20th June 2018 to 20th June 2019.

My question is, should i challenge their penalty or I am wrong and I have to pay for it?

Please see the penalty is £65.... That's too much for me for something, I personally believe was within my rights to do so.... Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thank you for your help 😥

You should have extended the maternity exemption certificate. I would still challenge it though as yout can prove the later date with your lo's birth certificate. This is what you should have done:

The expiry date on your certificate is based on the due date or date of birth provided by your midwife or doctor.

If your baby is born later than its expected due date, we can extend the expiry date.

You will need to write to us, including acopyof your baby’s birth certificate, at:

NHS Help with Health Costs
NHS BusinessServices Authority
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastleupon Tyne
NE1 6SN

So did you claim free prescriptions from 20th - 30th June?

What date was the prescription in question?

I claimed a prescription on the 18th June 2019. Which is still 2 days before my baby turned 1 year old.

@dementedpixie I know I should have 😩 I'm so disappointed with myself now.... but this mummy brain is going crazy already 😣

Put in an appeal. Fairly sure they will help you out and dismiss the penalty when you explain your very reasonable situation.

I'm assuming it's different in Scotland (free prescriptions) but any dental treatment I had didn't ask about the exemption certificate, just the date of my baby's first birthday.

Challenge it OP. All the literature I've ever seen in healthcare providers has always clearly stated that you are excerpt from charges "until your baby turns 1 year old," not "one year after your expected due date".

Thank you all so much for your kind advices. I'll appeal now and yes I do admit, I should've extended the certificate... Guess I'm the type who learn from mistakes 😥