To think if the hospital wanted to see proof of payment exemption they should have asked at the time

[OntarioBagnet]

So went to OOH recently and came away with a box of medicine. They invited me to pay and I said I pay annually and offered to show them my emailed certificate on my phone. They said not to worry.

I’ve now had a letter from the hospital telling me I owe them £9.35. If I have exemption I can write to them with evidence of this. Which will obviously cost me a stamp and I’ll need to find/pay for printing because it’s only on my phone.

I’ve rung them up and asked if I can email a screenshot and apparently they don’t accept that. So I’m just planning on ignoring them now. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I honestly don't know why people defend this stuff. The entire system is so clunky, not joined up and stuck in the past - the tech exists for it to be way more streamlined.

Thanks, I get that it’s a minor thing….but agree I don’t think I deserve to be called a twat. It’s just annoying and I think a prime example of how the nhs is stuck in the dark ages being ineffective and wasteful. Multiply this by how many times this and similar events are happening around the country. Think how much money is being wasted. I don’t blame the individual admin person.

Would it be so difficult for them to actually communicate with each other?

This confuses me — I thought it was the other way round, that they ask you for proof of certificate to save you from a potential fine, because if you say you have exemption/prepayment and you don't, it's on you and not them, so proving it to the individual pharmacy is neither here nor there. This whole request is bizarre.

I still have my physical exemption card but tried the checker posted by a pp and it didn't come up. I realised the initial of my middle name is showing on the card whereas previous cards didn't list my initial so out that letter in and the exemption came up

So it's probably easier for the NHS / Hospital to send a generic automated letter requesting exemption proof rather than trying several combinations of patients names also not everyone lists their middle names / initial on paperwork. Very clunky system though and I prefer having the physical cards.

Ok so the pharmacy told me the other day that they know when they check the records later so there must be an issue with yours. I think there’s a number on the prescription to call. You mustn’t me registered for some reason

"Pharmacy staff will ask for your exemption details. If you do not have them with you, your pharmacist should tick 'Evidence not seen' on the prescription. They will not charge you."

You can challenge a letter here:
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/respond-your-letter

This has happened to me multiple times. They say do you pay So I say no as I have a pre payment card which they are meant to get checked when you’ve gone. I just ring the number on the letter and tell them I’ve got one and they close the claim. Happened about 6 times now. They have the facilities to check it and it’s all on your online medical file as I’ve seen mine. They are just bloody lazy and most likely tick the wrong box.