MSE News
Going through the menopause? You'll be able to get your HRT prescriptions for less from 1 April - here's how
People going through the menopause in England will be able to access cheaper HRT prescriptions from 1 April with a new 'season ticket'. This could save hundreds of thousands of people £100s in prescription charges each year, according to the Government. Here's what you need to know.
Many who are experiencing the menopause take medication known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) each month to help with their symptoms. How much this costs depends on the medication taken and how frequently - but for some on a monthly prescription of two items, this could cost more than £200 a year.
However, from 1 April, people who need HRT due to the menopause will instead be able to buy a prescription 'season ticket' - known as a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) - which will last for 12 months and cost £19.30, the equivalent of two individual prescription charges.
You'll be able to use the PPC for as many menopause prescription items as you need throughout the year and you can apply for the HRT 'season ticket' for as many years as needed.
See our Cheap and free prescriptions guide to find out how you can save. Prescriptions remain free of charge for those residing in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
You can use your season ticket for HRT items including tablets, gels and patches
You'll need to apply for your menopause prescription certificate either through the NHS Business Services Authority website or in-person at a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs.
Once it's granted, you'll be able to use it straight away on or after 1 April 2023. You can't apply for one now before prescription prices change on 1 April. You'll need to show either a digital or paper copy of your PPC to your pharmacist when collecting your prescription, as well as completing the exemption declaration on the NHS prescription form.
You can also save on other prescriptions if you buy at least 12 prescriptions a year
In a recent MoneySavingExpert.com investigation, we revealed that more than a million people in England missed out on savings of around £40 in the 12 months leading up to April 2022 because they didn't buy a prescriptions 'season ticket', for any type of medication.
Based on current prices, a 12-month prescription certificate can save you at least £4.10 a year if you buy at least 12 prescriptions. Alternatively, a three-month season ticket can save you at least £7.15 if you buy four or more prescriptions.
You can buy a season ticket online, over the phone on 0300 330 1341, or at many pharmacies. It can be paid for by card or by direct debit. And if you've paid for prescriptions while waiting for your season ticket to arrive, you can use an NHS FP57 refund form (ask the pharmacy or dispensary which dispenses your prescription for one) to get your money back. If you can, it may be better to buy now before prescription prices rise on 1 April.
In the 2021/22 financial year, our Freedom of Information request revealed there were 2,596,110 PPCs purchased in total, including both annual and three-month versions.
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Related Articles
-
Martin Lewis on what's going to happen to your energy bills in the next few months
9 March 2023![]()
MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis answers questions on the energy price guarantee and standing charges in the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live. -
Stamp prices to rise by up to 15% – but there's a way to beat the hike
3 March 2023![]()
From Monday 3 April, the cost of first-class stamps will be hiked to £1.10, while second-class stamps will increase to 75p. -
Now hikes Boost and Sports membership costs - here's what you need to know
1 March 2023![]()
Now has increased the price of its monthly Boost (which enables ad-free viewing) and Sports memberships by £1 each a month. -
Asda, Morrisons and Tesco among supermarkets limiting fruit and veg sales – here's what you need to know
28 February 2023![]()
Major supermarkets including Asda and Tesco are currently imposing restrictions on fruit and vegetable purchases due to supply shortages. In many cases you'll only be able to buy a limited number of each item.
22 March 2023
-
Beat April price hikes
Martin's 11 must-do NOWs
-
Superfast fibre '£18/month'
Broadband hikes are coming
-
15GB data Sim for '£5/month'
Or '£9/month' for 100GB
-
Tesco Clubcard triple-up axed
3 months left to max gains
-
FREE £50 investment
It's back!
-
'Got a Power of Attorney?'
'It's probably more important than a will'
-
Important Budget briefing
Including Martin's video summary
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
-
Ovo launches one-year fixed tariff – but is it worth switching to?
24 March 2023![]()
Almost every household has been charged the same price for their energy over the last year under the Energy Price Cap (EPC) and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), with no cheaper fixed deals to switch to. That has now changed, with Ovo launching a one-year fix for existing customers that undercuts the EPG level of £2,500 a year. -
BT customers 'forced into overdrafts' after duplicate payment error - here's what you need to know
24 March 2023![]()
BT customers have complained that they've been forced into overdrafts after payments were wrongly taken twice this month. The telecommunications giant said it will refund any duplicate payments taken automatically. -
Martin Lewis: Four urgent ways you may be due £1,000s in tax back – if you're married, had a PPI payout, wear a work uniform or even just pay tax
23 March 2023![]()
If you're married or in a civil partnership, have ever had a PPI payout, wear a uniform to work or pay any income tax, you could be due £100s or even £1,000s in tax back – but you'll need to check urgently. -
Bank of England increases base rate to 4.25% – what the rise means for your mortgage and savings
23 March 2023![]()
The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 4% to 4.25%. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn. -
Broadband and mobile users to be hit with price hikes of up to 17.3% in April – here's what you need to know
23 March 2023![]()
Millions of BT, EE, O2, Plusnet, Shell, Sky, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 17% this spring, on the back of a sharp increase in the cost of living.
-
Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.
.png.rendition.320.320.png)
Clever ways to calculate your finances
