Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Introduction
Welcome to our friendly corner of healthcare! If you’ve ever felt a bit puzzled by NHS prescription and nhs dental charges in 2025, you’re not alone. We’re here to help you understand the ins and outs of these costs in a simple and approachable way. In this blog, we’ll break down what NHS prescription and dental charges are, who can benefit from exemptions, and tips on managing any associated expenses. Our goal is to provide you with clear, helpful information so you can focus on what really matters—your health! So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s navigate the world of NHS charges together, ensuring you can access the care you need without any surprises.
Key Takeaways
- NHS prescription charges for 2025 are £9.90 per item, but you can save with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).
- Certain individuals qualify for free prescriptions, including those under 16, pregnant women, and individuals with specific medical conditions.
- The NHS Low Income Scheme offers help with NHS costs, including prescription and dental charges for eligible individuals.
- NHS dental charges in 2025 include Band 1 for £23.80 and Band 2 for £65.20; some exceptions apply for free dental care.
- Apply online for the NHS Low Income Scheme if you meet the criteria, which include low income and specific age or education statuses.
Table of contents
How much is a prescription?
When you are prescribed drugs by a doctor, you will need to pay a flat fee of £9.90 to buy those drugs from the pharmacy, per item. Some things are free – contraceptives, for example.
If you’re going to be getting a lot of drugs on prescription regularly, you can save a bit of money by getting a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). A 3 month PPC costs £30.25, and a 12 month PPC is £108.10. You start making savings if you’re getting 2 items every month, and of course a 12 month PPC brings more savings than a 3 month one. You can buy one here!
Prescriptions normally cost £9.90
Are there any exceptions?
Yes! Prescriptions are free if you:
- are 60 or over
- are under 16
- are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate.
- have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate.
- have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate.
- hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
- are an NHS inpatient
- or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving: Income Support; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Pension Credit Guarantee Credit; and Universal Credit and meet the criteria
- have a valid for Low Income Support below.
Pregnant exemption
If you’re pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, you get free prescriptions if you have a valid maternity exemption certificate. To apply for a maternity exemption certificate, contact your doctor, midwife or health visitor. Your certificate will be sent to you by email or in the post. The certificate will last until 12 months after the expected date of birth of your baby. If your baby’s born early, you can continue to use your certificate until it expires. If your baby is born late, you can apply for an extension. If you apply after your baby is born, your certificate will last for 12 months from your baby’s birth.
Medical Exemption Certificates
Medical exemption certificates are credit-card-size cards. They are issued if you have:
- cancer, including the effects of cancer or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
- a permanent fistula (for example, a laryngostomy, colostomy, ileostomy or some renal dialysis fistulas) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
- a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
- diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
- diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
- hypoparathyroidism
- myasthenia gravis
- myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
- epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without the help of another person (temporary disabilities do not count, even if they last for several months)
HC2 Certificate
If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit. In England, the limit is:
- £23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home
- £16,000 for everyone else
Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependant young people.
Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate).
You qualify for full help if your income is less than or equal to your requirements, or is greater than your requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.
If your income exceeds this limit, you may be entitled to partial help. Your certificate will show how much you have to pay towards your health costs.
The rules governing who’s eligible are broadly the same as those for a means-tested benefit. But the assessment also takes into account council tax and housing costs, so you can get help with health costs even if your income is too high for a means-tested benefit.
NHS Low Income Scheme
If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for:
- NHS prescription charges
- NHS dental treatment charges
- the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
- the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
- NHS wigs and fabric supports (check with your hospital for their arrangements for supplying NHS wigs)
How much help you get depends on your weekly income and necessary outgoings, plus any savings or investments you have at the time you apply. If the amount you have left is low, you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner, if you have one.
If you have already paid for treatment, you can apply for a refund at the same time as you apply for the scheme.
We will normally assess your application within 18 working days from the date we get your form.
Applying online
We are trialling a new service where some people can apply online for the NHS Low Income Scheme. You can only apply online if you do not have capital or savings of over £6,000.
To apply, you must be at least one of the following:
- a pensioner
- a student
- earning a wage
- receiving state benefits
- living in a care home
Before you apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, we recommend you read the guidance under ‘How applications are assessed’.
Prescriptions are free if you’re pregnant or recently had a baby
Prescriptions are free if you have a medical exemption certificate
Prescriptions are free if you’ve got a HC2 certificate for Low Income Support
Yes! For dental care…
How much is nhs dental charges in 2025?
Band 1 course of treatment – £23.80
This covers examinations, diagnosis (including radiographs), advice on how to prevent future problems, scale and polish if clinically necessary, and preventative care (for example, applications of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant).
Urgent nhs dental treatment charge – £23.80
This band covers emergency care, such as pain relief or a temporary filling, in a primary care dental practice.
Band 2 course of treatment – £65.20
This covers everything listed in Band 1, plus any further treatment, such as fillings, root canal work, or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
Band 3 course of treatment – £282.80
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures, bridges and other laboratory work.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes! Dental care is free if you:
- aged under 18, or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
- an NHS hospital dental service outpatient – but you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges
- staying in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
- or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving: Income Support; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Pension Credit Guarantee Credit; and Universal Credit and meet the criteria
- have a valid HC2 Certificate for Low Income Support
SUMMARY
| When do I get free prescriptions? |
|---|
| You are under 16 yrs |
| You are 16-18 yrs and in FTE |
| You are pregnant or recently gave birth |
| You’ve a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx) |
| You have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate |
| You hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability |
| You are an NHS inpatient |
| You or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving: Income Support; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Pension Credit Guarantee Credit; and Universal Credit and meet the criteria |
| You are 60 or over |
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