In England, patients pay for their NHS prescriptions and NHS dental treatment. This is an important source of funding for the NHS.
Each year, the NHS loses significant funds due to people claiming free NHS prescriptions or NHS dental treatment they were not entitled to. This directly reduces the money available for core patient care.
Exemption Checking Services (ECS) carry out checks on patient claims.
If they cannot confirm a patient was entitled to claim free NHS prescriptions or NHS dental treatment, they'll be sent an enquiry letter asking them to confirm their entitlement.
The patient will be sent a PCN if they do not respond to the enquiry letter within 28 days.
If you’ve received a PCN, you must contact the department who issued the PCN.
Follow the guidance for if you live in:
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.
England
Contact:
- Prescription Exemption Checking Services (PECS) for prescriptions
- Dental Exemption Checking Services (DECS) for dental treatment
- the Counter Fraud section of your local integrated care board (ICB) for optical treatment
Scotland
Contact NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services for dental and optical treatment.
Wales
Contact the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership for optical treatment.
Northern Ireland
Contact Health and Social Care Business Services Organisation (BSO) for optical treatment.