NHS payment letter

Alicewonde · 2023-08-29T12:09:24+00:00

In a nutshell, I have received a letter from NHS telling me I have to pay £100 for a dental treatment that was supposed to be free (according to my doctor) while it wasn't. NHS said it is the patients responsibility to know whether ot not they're entitled to any free treatment, and not the clinic's. But all I know is that the doctor told me not to pay, because it falls under the universal credit. If I knew it would cost then, I might have refused it. I don't remember what it was, maybe a filling?! Anyway, am I the one that should pay for it, after being told by the clinic that it is free? And can they force me to? What I'm thinking is to just ignore them, if not for the bottom note that states another £100 penalty that might occur if not paid in time. Any advice please? Are they legally entitled, under these circumstances, to force me pay? They suggested I should go talk to the clinic myself, but I moved from that area and really think it's not my responsibility.

LIZS · 29/08/2023 13:18

Unfortunately onus is on you to demonstrate that you were eligible for it to be foc. You would probably have signed for the treatment and fee waiver at the time. Worth contacting the dentist to find out what it was and why it may not be. A lot of dental treatment is not.

Soontobe60 · 29/08/2023 13:18

Where did you have this treatment? How on earth do you not know what treatment youve had?

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 29/08/2023 13:25

It is your responsibility to know what free treatment your circunstances entitle you to, especially in relation to universal credit because the dentist will not know whether you meet the criteria - how would they, unless you’re in the habit of sharing details of your income with them?! So yes, you have to pay.

Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit

If you receive Universal Credit, you may also qualify for help with health costs.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/

18daychallenge · 29/08/2023 13:26

I assume when you say your 'doctor' you mean your dentist? Do you have any paperwork that you either signed to state you were claiming universal credit, or that you didn't have to pay?

I would assume if you are claiming universal credit, you know what you are entitled to? Not everyone on UC is entitled to free dental treatment. And, of course, that's up to you to find that out prior to seeking treatment, not the dentist!

The dentist not be privy to your financial situation (your earnings or your UC payment - all the things required to assess whether you pay for dental treatment or not). Nor should they be.

If you don't pay, the NHS BSA (who I assume your letter is from) will continue to chase you.

gamerchick · 29/08/2023 13:31

You most know what the treatment was for.

Unfortunately it is on you to find out before any treatment and not rely on a doctor telling you. How would a doctor know anyway?

You can't ignore this stuff. It just gets bigger

Bromptotoo · 29/08/2023 13:35

The problem here may be that the dentist/doctor who treated you did not understand the rules. While anybody on means tested legacy benefits like Jobseekers or Income Support is automatically entitled to free treatment the rules in Universal Credit are more nuanced. Basically it depends on whether you have earnings above a ceiling of either £435 or £935 depending on household circumstances in the Assessment Period before you had the treatment.

See this page on the NHS website for a full explanation.

If your earnings, including those of any partner or spouse on your claim, were less than that you should be ok.

Once you've established that then, even if you should have paid and did not it may be worth having a word with NHS Business Services Authority explaining clearly that there was a mix up at the time of treatment.

Sometimes they will let you off....

Bromptotoo · 29/08/2023 13:36

As above don't be tempted to ignore it and hope it will go away - it won't and they'll come after you for more money!!

Original poster

Alicewonde · 29/08/2023 13:59

To answer all the "how"questions, they always asked to see the last US statement and always have told me I have nothing to pay for that day.
The US itself does not come with a list of freebies (if it does, I know nothing about it), so yes, I have no idea what I am entitled to or not
I've always looked at the doctor/dentist as an NHS representative. If they wouldn't know, how could I?!

Thanks for the replies

OP posts:

Bromptotoo · 29/08/2023 14:05

Alicewonde · 29/08/2023 13:59

To answer all the "how"questions, they always asked to see the last US statement and always have told me I have nothing to pay for that day.
The US itself does not come with a list of freebies (if it does, I know nothing about it), so yes, I have no idea what I am entitled to or not
I've always looked at the doctor/dentist as an NHS representative. If they wouldn't know, how could I?!

Thanks for the replies

Those of us who do benefits stuff for a living have pact with Health Care Professionals - if they don't give benefits advice we won't practice medicine :-)

SpringIntoChaos · 29/08/2023 14:18

OP...you must know what treatment you've had though? How is anyone on here supposed to be able to help if you can't even recall what treatment they are billing you for? When did you go to the dentist and what did the dentist do? 🤦‍♀️

SequinsandStiIettos · 29/08/2023 14:28

I am really sorry for you as much of the time the clinic/pharmacy/dentist etc don't know the rule.
£935 is the cut-off and is based on your last UC payment
So I remember making an appointment deliberately in a month following when my earnings had been under that. Another month I'd have been over as my earnings fluctuate.
It's a minefield and you aren't the first to have been caught out.
The £935 has not gone up this year and I am now £40 above that and no longer eligible for free prescriptions. I dread to think what the dentist is going to cost me.

Bromptotoo · 29/08/2023 14:35

SequinsandStiIettos · 29/08/2023 14:28

I am really sorry for you as much of the time the clinic/pharmacy/dentist etc don't know the rule.
£935 is the cut-off and is based on your last UC payment
So I remember making an appointment deliberately in a month following when my earnings had been under that. Another month I'd have been over as my earnings fluctuate.
It's a minefield and you aren't the first to have been caught out.
The £935 has not gone up this year and I am now £40 above that and no longer eligible for free prescriptions. I dread to think what the dentist is going to cost me.

£935 is the higher amount where somebody in the household has ben found unable to work. Otherwise it's £435 which is astonishingly stingy.

SequinsandStiIettos · 29/08/2023 14:45

receive Universal Credit, which includes an element for a child

£935 if you have kids under 18?
Please confirm.
If I'm wrong then I'm going into hiding.
If I am wrong, how far back can the NHS BSA claw £ from?
I assume they do randomised checks, same as prescriptions.
If one is wrong, do they go back years and years?
My understanding was the higher amount for those with dependants.

SequinsandStiIettos · 29/08/2023 14:49

Sorry for the derail OP. I'd pay it before they look at everything you've ever had.
(Sorry if this is fearmongering. I have heard of people with incorrect prescriptions having to pay fines for each one). I looked into the latter when I made a mistake with mine on one occasion but the chemist wouldn't let me change it two days later after I checked my last statement. That's why you have my sympathy but I don't think you we have a leg to stand on.