Maternity Exemption Card- what do I get for free??????

[makecakesnotwar]

My card has arrived and I plan on taking full advantage. But what are we pregnant ladies entitled to? Obviously free prescriptions, but dental care, opticians, any thing else? Any advice from pros gratefully received...

dental care

that's it

not a lot. You get free dental care if you are already registered with an NHS dentist. Don't get anything from the opticians. Well worth a trip to the dentist though

sorry to interupt but you can get free glasses from optician or you get a percentage off the price also if you are on benefits you can actually get your baby milk half price or at a cut price cant remember which as i didnt take on the offer of that one.

Specsavers don't accept them for anything unfortunately I wouldn't have bothered going had I known! I am registering with an NHS dentist next week and they're free because i rang up and asked. Other than that, just prescription as far as I'm aware. It should work for more I think!!!

are you sure babycarrier? I went for eye test last time I was pregnant and was told I still had to pay. Is it just if you are pregnant and on other benefits?

just NHS prescription (ie not from a private practice) and NHS dental work, things like non amalgam filings are not included

Yeah, I checked last time I was at the opticians and you do not get any free treatment/glasses etc for being pg - however yoiu do if you are on benefits. Which is why I made sure I got an eye care voucher from work just before I went on mat leave

Don't you get free vitamins and milk after the baby is born or is that just for women on benefits?

I'm sure there's a Govt website with all the info on.

Women on benefits get a healthy start voucher for £200 towards fruit, vegetables, heroin etc (only joking but you can spend it on what you like).

With the maternity exemption you can get free prescriptions including surgical devices until a year after your due date, also free dental care for this period. Under the new NHS pricing scheme I don't think you have to pay for anything - I certainly didn't last year.

Optical care is not included because your sight changes naturally during pregnancy so the govt don't think it worthy of coverage

Obv. your child will also get free dental, prescriptions and interestingly optical care, when he or she is born.

Sorry to hijack this thread slightly, but when do you get your exemption card, i can't remember!

You apply for it at your booking visit - the MW should fill in the form and send it off or give it to you to send off if they are too stingy to stump up for a stamp (ours are). Takes about three weeks from then.

Thanks everyone....very disappointed not to get money off eye care. Poor show!!!

D

What about discount on the train

If you show it at our local swimming pool you get in for free! Might be something similar in your area

No I saw when they issued my maternity card on the back side of the paper where was attached the card was mention discount on trains,did anyone used this discount and how much it is