Payment of travel costs will be made if a patient meets the NHS eligibility criteria of reimbursement and provides acceptable proof of qualifying benefits and any valid transport receipts. A patient will be reimbursed at the level of the cheapest reasonable method of transport.
Qualifying benefits are:
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Income Support
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Income based Job Seekers Allowance
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Income related Employment Support Allowance
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Working Tax Credit exemption certificate
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Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit
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Low income HC2/HC3 certificate
- Universal Credit (if you meet the criteria)
The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme provides the reimbursement of travel costs to eligible patients when they attend a hospital appointment.
Acceptable proof is a letter awarding the benefit dated within a twelve month period of the appointment. Patients who wish to claim travel costs on the day of their appointment must:
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Bring proof of eligibility to their hospital appointment
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Provide proof of any valid transport receipts – for example bus tickets. Complete a Fare Reimbursement Claim Form obtained from the cashiers office, main reception or department where they attend for the appointment
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Ask the department they attend to confirm attendance on the fares reimbursement claim form with a department stamp
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Completed payment claim forms will be processed by our Cashiers Office situated in the main entrance of St. Mary’s Hospital.
You can claim transport costs by completing the HC5 form online or by post using a printed HC5 form available from Cashiers at St. Mary’s Hospital, or your nearest Job Centre Plus. Claims must be made within 3 months of the travel date. Travel costs for people accompanying the patient will only be paid in the following circumstances:
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Written confirmation from the clinician / doctor that the patient needs to be escorted
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When the appointment is for a child under 16
For further details visit NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.
Patients receiving radiotherapy may be eligible for reimbursement of travel costs.
For further information please contact our Patient Advice Liaison Service which is located on the ground floor of St. Mary's Hospital.
