There are several ways you can save money on travel costs to and from your hospital appointments.
The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
If you or your partner is on a low income, you may be able to claim a refund of the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for treatments or tests, under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. You’re only allowed to claim if you use the cheapest, most appropriate form of travel, and for most people this will be public transport.
Congestion Charge reimbursement
Patients in London may also be able to claim back congestion charges when travelling to a hospital appointment. The congestion charge is a £10 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the congestion-charging zone between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
You could be eligible for a reimbursement of the congestion charge if you have a compromised immune system, you require regular therapy or assessment, or you’ve been clinically assessed as too ill, weak or disabled to travel on public transport.
If you are eligible for reimbursement of the congestion charge, you must pay the £10 and then you can claim it back from the relevant NHS organisation. You’ll need the congestion charge receipt to make the claim.
Making a travel cost claim
To claim your travel cost or congestion charge refund, take your travel receipts and appointment letter, with proof that you are receiving one of the qualifying benefits, to the hospital cashier’s office. Or complete an HC5 claim form and post it together with your travel receipts to the address on the form. You can get the HC5 form at the hospital or from the NHS forms orderline on 0845 610 1112.
Claiming travel costs in advance
You might be able to claim an advance payment to cover the cost of your travel to your appointment. Contact the hospital or PCT concerned to find out how to do this.
