Prescription charges for the over 60s

[crankedup5]

Government wants to introduce health prescription charges to those over the age of 60 years. Currently those of 60years + are able to receive prescriptions FOC on the NHS, the new cut off date will rise to 66 years if the Government get it through Parliament, likely given its majority.
Ouch!

[k99]

I didn’t realise until I turned 60 that you get free prescriptions. Still don’t understand the logic of why at that age. I always thought it was 65, the old retirement age. Also don’t understand why you’d need a bus pass at 60…

[Sheepshanks]

Must admit this was a surprise to me when I turned 60 - somehow managed to miss it. Wife takes regualar meds and has a card so not a great saving anyway.

Apparantly 90% of prescriptions are to people who don't pay for one reason or another anyway. Hardly seems worth the bother of charging the others - wouldn't be surprised if it costs more to administer than it raises.

[phumy]

k99 said:

I didn’t realise until I turned 60 that you get free prescriptions. Still don’t understand the logic of why at that age. I always thought it was 65, the old retirement age. Also don’t understand why you’d need a bus pass at 60…

A bus pass where i live in the Somerset is only issued at 66 years old.

[markymarkthree]

This change makes perfect sense to me. Why should someone still working at 60 get free scripts just because they have hit 60 ? We cant afford all these freebies, a bit like all these test kits that are being dolled out willy nilly.
I wonder how much it costs the NHS ? 66 and keeping it in line with Gov pension age seems ok.

[Zumbruk]

phumy said:

A bus pass where i live in the Somerset is only issued at 66 years old.

What's a "bus"?

[A500leroy]

Are these heartless bumholes determined to take every penny of us? This is Boris levelling down. My mum has an income of £50 a week and this will crucify her.

[Zumbruk]

A500leroy said:

Are these heartless bumholes determined to take every penny of us?

Yes.

[E63eeeeee...]

markymarkthree said:

We cant afford all these freebies

Yes, we can.

[catso]

crankedup5 said:

Government wants to introduce health prescription charges to those over the age of 60 years.

Of course they do.

After many years of excellent health and not requiring any prescriptions, I have just recently started on 2 repeat prescriptions. I wasn't even aware that they were free at 60 until a few weeks back, and as I'm just a few months away from this (old) age I was pleasantly surprised.

Probably going to lose it before I even get it.

[Sticks.]

A500leroy said:

Are these heartless bumholes determined to take every penny of us? This is Boris levelling down. My mum has an income of £50 a week and this will crucify her.

A prescription prepayment certificate is available for £2.07pw and payable monthly https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-co...

[rjfp1962]

I turned 60 back on the 1st of February, so have only just began this entitlement - Looks like I'll be going back onto Prescription Pre-pay..
Thanks Boris..!

[Vasco]

phumy said:

k99 said:

I didn’t realise until I turned 60 that you get free prescriptions. Still don’t understand the logic of why at that age. I always thought it was 65, the old retirement age. Also don’t understand why you’d need a bus pass at 60…

A bus pass where i live in the Somerset is only issued at 66 years old.

He must be in London, where it's at 60. Elsewhere it's 66, increasing to 67 I believe.

[The Mad Monk]

A500leroy said:

My mum has an income of £50 a week and this will crucify her.

Quote from Gov.

"The full new State Pension is £179.60 per week".

Why doesn't she get that?

[A500leroy]

The Mad Monk said:

A500leroy said:

My mum has an income of £50 a week and this will crucify her.

Quote from Gov.

"The full new State Pension is £179.60 per week".

Why doesn't she get that?

cause shes not pension age yet

[k99]

rjfp1962 said:

I turned 60 back on the 1st of February, so have only just began this entitlement - Looks like I'll be going back onto Prescription Pre-pay..
Thanks Boris..!

I think they’d bring it in for newly qualifying people at a future date, not those already getting free prescriptions.

[S600BSB]

I don't really agree with any of these universal benefits- prescriptions, bus passes etc. I would generally means test them. There are plenty of wealthy pensioners about who could and should pay.

[Zumbruk]

S600BSB said:

I don't really agree with any of these universal benefits- prescriptions, bus passes etc. I would generally means test them. There are plenty of wealthy pensioners about who could and should pay.

Means testing nearly always costs more to administer than it saves.

[av185]

Zumbruk said:

Means testing nearly always costs more to administer than it saves.

I pointed this out to my late mothers Local Authority before they bled her £100ks +++ assets dry for care home fees but oddly enough it fell on deaf ears.

[PositronicRay]

k99 said:

I didn’t realise until I turned 60 that you get free prescriptions. Still don’t understand the logic of why at that age. I always thought it was 65, the old retirement age. Also don’t understand why you’d need a bus pass at 60…

I think it was due to ladies state pension age being 60. Just seemed fairer for everyone, or easier to administer or some such thing.