When you apply for help with health costs, we assess your income and some outgoings such as living costs.
If you successfully apply for help with health costs, you're sent an HC2 or a HC3 certificate. The certificate you're sent depends on our assessment.
HC2 and HC3 certificates can be used in any UK country.
Read more information on our website.
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.
HC2
A HC2 gives you full help with:
- NHS prescriptions
- NHS dental treatment
- NHS-funded sight tests
- NHS wigs and fabric supports
- the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment, this may also include dependent children
- a voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
HC3
If your assessed weekly income is greater than your assessed weekly requirements, you'll be sent an HC3 certificate.
Your HC3 will include a breakdown letter that shows how we assessed your application.
A HC3 certificate can give partial help with:
- NHS dental treatment
- NHS-funded sight tests
- NHS wigs and fabric supports
- the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment, this may also include dependent children
- a voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
Your HC3 certificate tells you how much you must pay before being entitled to help.
If you have a HC3 certificate, you must pay for your prescriptions in full.
LIS11
If your income when compared with your weekly requirements if too high, you'll be sent an LIS11 to advise you're not entitled to help.
Ask for a review
If you think your application has been assessed incorrectly, you can contact us and ask for your claim to be reviewed.
Telephone: 0300 330 1343
Email address:
- digital application: lisdigital2@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
- paper application: lowincomescheme@nhsba.nhs.uk
Address:
Health Exemption Services
NHS Business Services Authority
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6SN
You'll need to include:
- your certificate number
- your full name
- your date of birth
- your address, including postcode
- your telephone number
- a brief description of why you think your application was assessed incorrectly