Client:  COI Communications

 

The Health Costs Advice Line begun as the Free Prescription Advice Line in 1999. 

 

It was commissioned by the Central Office of Information and funded by the Department of Health, to explain the Government’s policy of ‘proof of dispensing’ checks for people who claim free prescriptions on the NHS and advise them of exemption categories and types of proof required. 

 

This service arose by the government recognising the huge cost of fraud to the NHS (deliberate and unintentional fraud).  They wanted to stamp out deliberate evasion of those claiming free prescriptions whom were not entitled and raise awareness of the exemption criteria for those eligible for free prescriptions.  Furthermore, they wanted to gain support of the public for the introduction of proof of dispensing checks and inform people of these measures. The service remit was later extended to include dental treatment and optical treatment and hence the name changed to the Health Costs Advice Line. 

 

Advisors, over the phone, provided a wealth of information on various issues. They signposted individuals to other organisations if suitable and sent the callers suitable forms if needed. 

 

Overall this campaign helped reduce prescription fraud by £48 million (41%). This service was a single campaign, which ended in 2002. Any enquiries of this nature today would be taken through NHS Direct.