Questions and answers about pre-payment certificates and the application portal

The purpose of this page is to provide a list of generic questions that the public may ask the Manx Care communications team, MCAL's or Pharmacy teams about the updated application process for pre-payment certificates (PPC).

What is a pre-payment certificate

Prescription pre-payment certificates have a fixed up-front cost but then entitle you to exemption from prescription charges, for as long as the certificate is valid. You can purchase a certificate to cover a period of 4 months or 12 months.

How much a pre-payment certificate costs

A 4-month certificate costs £19 and a 12-month certificate costs £54.

How you can apply for a pre-payment certificate

The easiest way to apply for the pre-payment certificate is using the government online portal. This allows you to provide the relevant personal details to complete your application and make payment. Your pre-payment certificate will be emailed once payment has been received.

Paper applications with cheque or payments over the phone are still available for those who are not able to use the online portal. If you have an email address, we will be able to send you the certificate that way, but we can send it via the post if you prefer.

Applying again when the certificate expires

The certificate is only valid for the period you have selected and paid for. At the end of that period you will need to re-apply and pay again.

The portal will issue a reminder by email to those applicants who have supplied one with their application. This will be a month before the expiry of your current certificate.

Charges if you have several different items on your prescription

Prescription charges are for each item on the prescription not for each form. For example, if your prescription has 3 medicines on it you will have to pay 3 lots of prescription charges.

Contraception items will not incur a prescription charge.

Alternatively, you can purchase a pre-payment certificate for 4 months or 12 months and use that to cap how much you would spend.

If you can't apply for a certificate online

Paper applications with cheque or payments over the phone are still available for those who are not able to use the online portal. If you have an email address, we will be able to send you the certificate that way, but we can send it via the post if you prefer.

However, if you want to use the online portal, you can contact the Primary Care Services on +44 1624 642694 to get support with your application.

Splitting the payment of the pre-payment certificate

You can purchase a certificate for 1 year or for a 4-month period.

Duration of the pre-payment certificate

It can be purchased for a duration of 12 or 4 months.

What to do when you go to the chemist and you have a pre-payment certificate

When you receive your prescription items, you will need to show your pre-payment certificate. This must be valid and in date to be exempt from paying charges. This is required each time you collect your prescriptions.

If you find your pre-payment certificate is out of date and you have access to the website on your phone, you will be able to apply and pay upfront, and you will receive an email instantly with your pre-payment certificate to show the pharmacy.

What happens if you lose your paper copy of your certificate

You can reprint the certificate through the email that was sent when you applied. If you open the email, there will be an attachment that you can open and print again.

If you access your emails on your phone, you can take a screenshot picture of the certificate and save on your phone to show the pharmacy.

Some phones also allow you to add documents to your phone wallet which keeps it in an easy to find place.

Resending the certificate if you have deleted the email that contained it

If you require a replacement for your certificate, please get in touch with the Primary Care Services team by email at primarycareservices@gov.im the Team can arrange for a replacement to be sent to you.

If you need a certificate today

By applying online, the system will email you a copy of the pre-payment certificate to you straight after applying and payment is completed. You can then print this off or use the digital version on your smart phone.

Receiving the certificate after you've paid for it

Once you complete the online application process you will receive a certificate via your email address with a digital copy for you to print out or add to your digital wallet (where applicable).

If you opted for a physical version to be issued to you then that will be issued within 7 working days. This is the same for paper applications.

If you can't print your certificate at home

You can opt for a physical copy to be issued to you in the post or visit the Welcome Centre's Get Online Hub where you can access your email to print off a copy.

Additionally, some smart phones allow you to add it to your digital wallet.

Paying for multiple certificates at once

Each patient must apply and pay separately but the online portal application is a quick and easy service to use so you can immediately start a second application using the other persons details.

Pre-payment certificate use in the UK

The Isle of Man pre-payment certificate is only valid for use in the Isle of Man.

You will still be able to have prescription items dispensed in areas of the UK, but you will be subject to whatever charges/exemptions are applicable in that jurisdiction.

Changing the address associated with your certificate

If you have applied online, you can do this either the next time you apply by updating the system with your new address details, or you can do it immediately by logging into the portal and selecting to update your details.

Please note the GP's run an independent system so you will need to update your address manually on the portal.

Getting a refund if you no longer require your certificate

Once you have paid for a pre-payment certificate, the cost can only be refunded if during the first month of validity:

• You become entitled to free prescriptions (you must claim a refund within 4 months of the date the Certificate started)
  
  
• You go into hospital and remain an in-patient until the certificate runs out (you can claim a refund within 3 months of the date the Certificate runs out)
  
  
• The PPC holder dies (any refund must be claimed by their Estate within 4 months of the date the certificate started)
  
  
• The PPC holder went into hospital before the certificate ran out - and remained an in-patient until their death (any refund must be claimed within 3 months of their death)

Changing the date your certificate starts on

You can stagger the start date on the portal to be up to 28 days later than the application date.

Re-entering your details when re-applying for a certificate

When applying to renew your certificate, the system should maintain your details, but you will need to check these before completing the transaction.

Reminder to renew your certificate

If you apply through the online portal you will receive an automated reminder email to prompt you to renew your pre-payment certificate a month before the expiry of your current one.