NHS Business Services Authority - Help with Health Costs

Sandyford House
Archbold Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1DB

Tel (Customer Enquiries): 0845 850 1166
Fax: 0191 203 5507
Web: www.ppa.org.uk
Best time to telephone: 8am - 6pm, Monday - Friday

NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - Help with Health Costs, provides income-related help with health costs. It can assist with the following health costs.

• NHS prescriptions.
• NHS dental treatment.
• Sight tests.
• Optical vouchers to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
• NHS wigs and fabric supports.
• Travel to receive NHS treatment under the care of a consultant.

Claims are assessed using the information completed by the claimant on the claim form HC1, available from opticians, social security offices, NHS hospitals, doctors, dentists, or by telephoning the number above.

For further information on assistance with NHS health costs, please see booklet HC11, (available online at www.dh.gov.uk; use the search facility).
NHSBSA is also responsible for issuing Prescription Pre-payment Certificates (PPC).
There are four ways to apply for a PPC:

• Over the telephone - PPC Telephone Advice Line / Order Line - 0845 850 0030.
• Postal applications - a PPC application form FP95 must be completed. The form is available from pharmacies and doctors, or can be downloaded in a portable document format at www.dh.gov.uk (use the search facility).
• Over the internet via the website - www.ppa.org.uk
• From a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs. To purchase a PPC at a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs, you can complete an application form FP95 and the pharmacy will send the form to the Patient Services, or you can apply online if the pharmacy has internet facilities.