Can I get help with the cost of prescriptions or hospital travel if I have a long-term heart condition?

PostedJanuary 19, 2026

UpdatedJanuary 19, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Harry Whitmore, Medical Student | Reviewed by: Dr. Stefan Petrov, MBBS

Managing heart failure often involves taking several different medications every day and attending regular specialist appointments. In England, the cost of multiple prescription items can quickly become a significant financial burden. Similarly, frequent trips to hospitals or clinics for diagnostic tests can lead to high travel and parking expenses. However, the NHS provides various schemes to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent you from receiving the care you need. Whether through automatic exemptions, pre-payment certificates, or travel cost reimbursements, there is a range of support available to help manage these health-related costs.

What We’ll Discuss in This Article

Eligibility for free NHS prescriptions in England

Using Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC) to save money

The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) for hospital appointments

The NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) for full or partial help

How to apply for medical exemption certificates

Practical steps for claiming refunds on past travel

Help with NHS Prescription Costs

Prescriptions are free for everyone living in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.In England, however, there is a standard charge (currently £9.90 per item in 2025).

1. Automatic Exemptions

You are automatically entitled to free prescriptions in England if you:

Are aged 60 or over.

Are under 16, or 16–18 and in full-time education.

Receive certain benefits, such as Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit.

Receive Universal Credit and meet specific income criteria.

2. Medical Exemption Certificates (MedEx)

Heart failure patients may be eligible for a medical exemption certificate if they have a persistent physical disability that prevents them from going out without the help of another person.

How to apply: Ask your GP surgery for form FP92A. Your doctor will sign it to confirm your condition, and you will receive a certificate that lasts for five years.

3. Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC)

If you do not qualify for free prescriptions but need more than three items in three months, a PPC can save you a significant amount of money. It covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set price.

3-month PPC: £32.05

12-month PPC: £114.50

Benefit: If you take four or more items a month, a 12-month PPC can save you over £300 a year.

Help with Hospital Travel Costs

The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides help with the cost of travelling to an NHS hospital or other NHS premises for specialist treatment or diagnostic tests.

Eligibility for Travel Help

To claim a refund of your travel costs, you must meet three conditions:

Referral: You must have been referred by a doctor or consultant to a specialist for further NHS treatment or tests (secondary care).

Benefits/Income: You or your partner must receive a qualifying benefit (like Universal Credit, Income Support, or ESA) or be eligible through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Cheapest Route: The refund is usually based on the cheapest suitable mode of transport, which often includes public transport or a standard mileage rate for cars.

How to Claim

At the hospital: Most hospitals have a ‘Cashier’s Office’ or ‘General Office’. Take your travel receipts, appointment letter, and proof of your benefit or exemption to get an immediate cash refund.

By post: If you cannot claim on the day, you can use form HC5(T) to claim a refund by post within three months of your appointment.

The NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)

If you do not receive qualifying benefits but have a low income and savings below £16,000, you can apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

HC2 Certificate: Provides full help with health costs, including free prescriptions and full travel costs.

HC3 Certificate: Provides partial help with health costs.

How to apply: You need to fill out form HC1, which is available from many pharmacies and GP surgeries, or you can apply online through the NHS Business Services Authority website.

Conclusion

The cost of treating heart failure should never be a barrier to your recovery. By utilising medical exemption certificates, prepayment certificates, and the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme, you can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. If you are struggling with these costs, the most important first step is to speak with your community pharmacist or your heart failure nurse. They can often provide the necessary forms or point you toward the specific NHS service that can help you secure the support you are entitled to.

Emergency Guidance

If you cannot afford your heart failure medication and are running low, do not skip doses. Contact your GP or heart failure nurse immediately. Stopping heart failure medication suddenly can lead to an acute flare-up of symptoms, such as severe breathlessness, which may require an emergency admission.

Is heart failure a ‘qualifying condition’ for a medical exemption?

Heart failure is not on the list of specific conditions (like diabetes or epilepsy) that automatically qualify you. However, you can qualify if the condition causes a permanent physical disability that means you cannot go out without assistance.

Can I claim for a taxi to the hospital?

Taxis are rarely covered unless your consultant or GP provides a letter stating that it is medically necessary because you are too unwell to use public transport or a car.

What if I forgot to bring my proof of benefit to the hospital?

You can still claim! Ask for an HC5(T) form at the hospital or download it online. You have up to three months from the date of your appointment to claim your travel costs back.

Does the Low Income Scheme cover dental costs too?

Yes. An HC2 certificate provides full help with NHS dental check-ups and treatment, as well as sight tests and vouchers toward the cost of glasses.

I have more than £16,000 in savings; can I still get help?

Generally, no. If your capital (savings and investments) is over £16,000, you will not be eligible for the Low Income Scheme, unless you live permanently in a care home, where the limit is higher.

Can my partner claim travel costs to visit me in hospital?

Unfortunately, the HTCS does not cover the travel costs of visitors. It only covers the patient and, in some cases, a medically necessary escort if the doctor confirms you cannot travel alone.

How do I get an FP57 receipt?

If you have to pay for a prescription but think you might be entitled to a refund later, you must ask for an FP57 receipt at the time you pay. You cannot get one later.

Authority Snapshot

This article was written by Dr. Stefan Petrov, a UK-trained physician with experience in emergency care, surgery, and general medicine. Dr. Petrov has helped many patients navigate the logistical and financial hurdles of managing a chronic heart condition within the NHS. This guide is based on current 2025 regulations for NHS prescription charges and the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

Harry Whitmore, Medical Student

Author

Dr. Stefan Petrov, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Stefan Petrov is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and postgraduate certifications including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (PLAB 1 & 2). He has hands-on experience in general medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, ophthalmology, and emergency care. Dr. Petrov has worked in both hospital wards and intensive care units, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and has contributed to medical education by creating patient-focused health content and teaching clinical skills to junior doctors.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.