Quick Answer
- What it is:
- Refund of NHS prescription / dental / optical charges — a health procedure in United Kingdom.
- Deadline:
- 90 days
- Steps:
- 4 steps
- Cost:
- Free
- Documents:
- 4 required
- Legal basis:
- NHS Act 2006 s.175
Miss the deadline? Refund refused (with limited discretion for hardship)
Important Deadlines
Submit refund claim within 3 months of payment
Refund refused (with limited discretion for hardship)
Required Documents
- ✓FP57 (prescription) or FP64 (dental)
- ✓Original receipts
- ✓Exemption certificate or HC2/HC3 award letter
- ✓Proof of qualifying benefit (where applicable)
Step-by-Step Guide
Determine which exemption applies: low income (HC2/HC3), benefits, age, pregnancy, or specified medical condition (FP92A).
Pro tip: Most refunds relate to retroactive NHS Low Income Scheme awards — check HC1 / HC2 / HC3 status.
Use FP57 (prescriptions), FP64 (dental) or appropriate optical refund form, completed at the time of payment if possible.
Pro tip: FP57 must be requested at the pharmacy at the time of payment — they cannot retrofit later. Without it, you need to use the longer NHS BSA refund route.
Send the form + receipts + exemption proof to NHS Business Services Authority within 3 months.
BSA processes refunds within ~6 weeks; track via the NHS BSA portal.
Fees
Legal Basis
Also Known As
This procedure is commonly searched under these names:
Official Resources
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