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Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

You may be able to claim a refund under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) for the cost of travelling to use NHS Islington services, for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic tests, arranged by a GP, dentist or consultant.

To qualify for help with travel costs under the HTCS, you must meet three conditions:

1. At the time of your appointment, you or your partner (including civil partners) must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits or allowances, or meet the eligibility criteria of the NHS Low Income Scheme
2. Your journey must be made to receive NHS-funded non-primary medical or non-primary dental care services, to which you have been referred to by a GP, dentist or consultant
3. For referrals made by a GP or dentist, the service must be provided on a different day and in premises other than those occupied by the GP or dentist who made the referral.

You can claim travel costs for your children if condition 2 or 3 above applies to them and you meet condition 1 above at the time of the appointment. Any young person aged 16 or over may make their own Low Income Scheme claim.

An information booklet HC11 Help with health costs is available to download from www.dh.gov.uk or can be obtained from the NHS forms orderline on 0845 610 1112.

You can claim travel costs for an escort if your GP, dentist or consultant says that for medical reasons you need someone to travel with you.

You cannot claim help with travel costs if:

• You are entitiled to a Freedon Pass.
• You are visiting your local GP or dentist for routine primary care services, such as check-ups, vaccinations, cervical cancer screening or minor surgery, as these are excluded from the scheme. Urgent primary care services during the out of hour periods (i.e. between 6.30pm and 8.00pm weekdays, at weekends or on bank holidays) are also excluded.
• You are visiting someone in hospital. However, visitors in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits may be able to receive assistance in the form of a Social Fund payment. Further information about this assistance can be obtained from Jobcentre Plus offices.

What are the qualifying benefits and allowances?

You or your partner (including civil partner) receive:

• Income Support (IS) 
• Income Based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA(IB))
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA(IB))
• Working Tax Credit (WTC), Child Tax Credit (CTC)
• Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit or 
• You are named on, or entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate 
• You have a low income and are named on certificate HC2 or HC3.
  

If you are a patient who is not in receipt of any benefits listed above but are on a low income you may be able to claim if you are:

• Living permanently in a care home or accommodation provided by Islington Local Authority. You will need to ask Islington Council (020 7527 2000) for an official letter confirming your status.
• An Asylum Seeker for whom support is provided under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Which form do I use and where do I get the form from?

The table below tells you which form to complete.

• Forms are available from the following:
• An NHS Islington Pay Point (see below for list)
• Online at the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk 
• DH publications orderline on 0845 610 1112
• Jobcentre Plus office.  
• NHS Islington’s Patient Advice and Complaints service

What form of transport can I use?

You should use the cheapest most appropriate means of transport which in most cases will be public transport. If you travel by car you will be reimbursed the estimated cost of fuel used plus unavoidable car parking and toll charges.

Where you are using a taxi for transport it is recommended that you check with an NHS Islington Pay Point before you travel to agree this.

How do I claim a refund?

To claim your reimbursement you should take your travel receipts, appointment letter or card and proof that you are receiving one of the qualifying benefits to any NHS Islington Pay Point on the following sites:

• Northern Health Centre
• Hornsey Rise Health Centre
• Goodinge Health Centre
• Highbury Grange Centre
• River Place Health Centre
• Finsbury Health Centre
• Bingfield Street
• Killick Street Health Centre

Alternatively, you can complete an HC5 (T) claim form and post this together with your travel receipts to the address given in the form. You can make a postal claim up to three months after your appointment has taken place.
Can I claim travel expenses for treatment abroad?

The regulations that govern the HTCS also cover travel expenses for agreed NHS care arranged abroad.

Patients are entitled to reclaim foreign travel expenses only where the mode and cost of travel, and any requirements for an escort, have been agreed by NHS Islington before any costs are incurred.