Health on a budget

Students often skip care because they think it will be expensive. Some of it is free, some can be made cheaper, and skipping it usually costs more later. This lesson shows where the savings are.

Use free and low-cost routes first

• In England, GP appointments and NHS 111 are free for those entitled to NHS care, including international students who have paid the IHS, according to GOV.UK.
• The NHS says pharmacists give free advice on common illnesses and medicines, and through Pharmacy First can treat some conditions without a GP appointment.
• University health centres and wellbeing services may be included in your fees or insurance: check before paying elsewhere.
• Under 19 and in full-time education in England? The NHS says dental treatment is free, and sight tests are free for 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education. Book these before your birthday if you can.

Generic medicines

• The US FDA says approved generic medicines have the same active ingredient, strength and dosage form as the brand-name version and work the same way.
• The FDA says generics usually cost less because they do not repeat the original studies.
• When buying a common painkiller or allergy tablet, compare the active ingredient and strength on the box, not the brand name. Ask the pharmacist if unsure.
• Never take two products containing the same active ingredient at once (see the Looking After Yourself When You Are Ill module).

Prescription costs in England

• If you pay for prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can cap the cost. The NHS lists a 3-month PPC at 32.05 pounds and a 12-month PPC at 114.50 pounds.
• The NHS says the 3-month PPC saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, and the 12-month PPC if you need more than 11 items in a year.
• Worked example: if you take one regular medicine monthly and sometimes need a second item, you could need 12 to 15 items a year, so a 12-month PPC is likely to be cheaper than paying per item. Check the current per-item charge before deciding.
• Charges are per item, not per prescription, so a prescription with three medicines counts as three items.

Help if your income is low

• The NHS Low Income Scheme can help with prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and glasses, and travel to hospital, based on your income and savings.
• Apply online through the NHS Business Services Authority or on form HC1. The NHS says an HC2 certificate gives full help and an HC3 gives partial help.
• The NHS page does not say whether students can apply; it gives a helpline (0300 330 1343) to ask. Your university's student support or advice service can also help you check.
• You can claim back costs already paid when you apply, if the claim reaches them within 3 months of payment.

Insurance and prevention

• In the UAE or US, using in-network clinics and following pre-approval rules (lessons ha-02 and ha-03) is the biggest saving you can make.
• Under the UAE basic package on u.ae, follow-up visits for the same condition within 7 days have no co-payment. Check whether your own plan has a similar rule before paying for a new visit.
• Prevention is cheap: vaccinations, regular dental check-ups, sunscreen, sleep and a reusable water bottle cost far less than treatment.
• Keep a small 'health' line in your monthly budget for co-pays, painkillers and toiletries, so getting care never feels like a choice between health and food.