Claiming Travel Expenses For Hospital Visits: What You Need To Know

If you need to travel to hospital for appointments or treatment, you may be able to get help with your travel costs through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). This scheme provides financial support to patients on a low income who may not otherwise be able to afford to travel to appointments. To qualify for the scheme, you must meet certain criteria, including receiving specific benefits or allowances or meeting the eligibility criteria for the NHS Low Income Scheme. You must also be referred for specialist care by a healthcare professional, and your appointment must be on a separate visit to when the referral was made.

Qualifying for travel cost support

The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial support to patients on a low income who may not be able to attend appointments due to travel costs.

To qualify for travel cost support under the HTCS, you must meet the following three criteria:

You or your partner must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits or allowances, or meet the eligibility criteria for the NHS Low Income Scheme. These benefits include:

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit (depending on criteria)
• Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), with an income of £15,276 or less for tax credit purposes

• You must have a referral for specialist care from a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, dentist, or another primary care health professional.
• Your appointment must be on a separate visit from when the referral was made, regardless of whether it is at the same location or a different site.

If you are claiming Universal Credit, you may also be eligible for help with health and travel costs for yourself, your partner, or your children. This includes travel for treatment referred by a doctor or dentist. In this case, you will need to make a claim using Health Costs Form HC1.

If you are not in receipt of the qualifying benefits, you may still be able to claim travel costs through the Health Service Low Income Support Scheme. In this case, you will need to complete form HC1, which is available from cash payment points.

Claiming travel expenses

The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial support to patients on a low income who may not be able to attend appointments due to travel costs. The scheme is available to those who:

• Are referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist, or another primary care health professional.
• Are on a low income or receive certain benefits.
• Need to make an extra journey to go to the hospital or another place to receive NHS care.
• Travel by the cheapest method of transport that is reasonable for them to use.

Qualifying benefits

Patients receiving certain benefits may automatically receive a full refund. These benefits include:

• Working Family Tax Credit
• Job Seeker's Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit (depending on criteria)
• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits with a disability element

How to claim

If you are entitled to help with travel costs, inform the hospital or place of treatment that you intend to claim the cost of your journey. If your place of treatment issues payments, you will be able to claim your money back during your visit. You will need to show proof of your entitlement, such as an award notice or an NHS tax credit exemption certificate. Keep any tickets or receipts as proof of the cost.

If your place of treatment does not issue payments, you will need to claim your expenses using a refund claim form. You can download and print the form or order it online, by phone, or from your GP practice or pharmacy. You can also claim at the hospital or clinic during your appointment by showing proof of a qualifying benefit.

Accepted forms of transport

If you are claiming travel expenses for hospital visits, there are several forms of transport that are generally accepted. These include:

Public Transport

Using public transport is typically considered a reasonable and accepted form of transport for hospital visits. This can include buses, trains, trams, or metros. The NHS organisation handling your claim will usually base any refund on the cheapest suitable mode of transport available to you, taking into account factors such as your age, medical condition, and the availability of public transport. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for the most cost-effective means of public transportation whenever possible.

Private Car

Using your private car to travel to and from hospital appointments is also acceptable. If your claim is approved, you can expect to be reimbursed for fuel costs at the mileage rate used by your local integrated care board (ICB). Additionally, you may be able to claim reimbursement for unavoidable car parking and toll charges incurred during your journey. Remember to retain any relevant receipts as proof of these expenses.

Taxi

In certain circumstances, you may need to use a taxi for your hospital journey. However, it is important to note that taxis are generally not included in the list of accepted forms of transport. To be eligible for reimbursement for taxi fares, it is advisable to obtain prior approval from the hospital or ICB before your travel. This may be applicable in situations where public transport is not a feasible option due to your medical condition or other relevant factors.

Air Travel

In cases where you are travelling abroad for specialist treatment or undergoing NHS treatment that requires international travel, you may be able to claim travel expenses for airfare. This includes travel costs from your home to the international departure point, such as an airport or port, where your journey begins. However, it is important to note that the cost of travel from the port in Great Britain to the place of treatment abroad falls under NHS foreign travel expenses and cannot be claimed through the standard Hospital Travel Costs Scheme.

It is important to remember that the accepted forms of transport may vary depending on your location and the specific guidelines of your hospital or healthcare provider. Always check with your hospital or the relevant healthcare authority for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding eligible transportation methods and reimbursement procedures.

Required documents

To claim travel expenses for hospital visits, you will need to provide certain documents as proof of your eligibility. Here is a list of the required documents:

• Proof of Eligibility for the Scheme: To qualify for the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS), you must meet specific criteria. You will need to provide proof that you or your partner receive one of the qualifying benefits or allowances, such as income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Alternatively, you can provide evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria for the NHS Low Income Scheme.
• Referral for Specialist Care: You will need to show that you have been referred for specialist care or further treatment/tests by a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, dentist, or another primary care health professional. This referral should be for a separate visit or appointment, different from when the referral was initially made.
• Proof of Appointment: You will need to provide evidence of your hospital appointment, such as an appointment letter or card. This helps to establish that you had a valid reason for incurring travel expenses.
• Travel Receipts or Tickets: Keep all your travel tickets, receipts, or any other proof of the cost of your journey. These will be required when claiming a refund for your travel expenses.
• Proof of Entitlement for Cost Claim: If you are entitled to help with travel costs, you will need to show proof of your entitlement. This could include an award notice or an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
• Claim Form (HC5 or HC1): Depending on your location and the specific scheme you are applying to, you may need to fill out a claim form. For example, if your place of treatment does not issue payments directly, you will need to use the HC5 claim form. The HC1 form is also mentioned in relation to certain circumstances, such as when you are on a low income but not receiving specific benefits.
• Proof of Benefit Receipt: If you are claiming a refund from a cash payment point at the hospital, you will need to show proof of receiving qualifying benefits.
• Proof of Mileage (for Car Travel): If you travelled by car, you may be able to claim a refund for fuel costs. The hospital should inform you of the applicable mileage rate for petrol costs.
• Proof of Additional Costs: If you incurred any additional costs, such as car parking or toll charges, make sure to keep the receipts for these expenses as well.
• Advance Agreement for Taxi or Other Transport: In some cases, you may need to agree in advance with the hospital or Integrated Care Board (ICB) if you need to use a taxi or other specific transport arrangements.

Cash payment points

If you are claiming travel expenses for hospital visits, you may be able to get help with your travel costs. The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial support to patients on a low income who may not otherwise be able to access appointments due to travel costs.

There are two main payment points at Victoria Hospital. One is in the main Outpatients area at the Patient Travel Desk, and the other is at White Reception in the Women's Unit at the rear of the hospital. Patients claiming from the pay points must be able to show proof of benefit, otherwise payment cannot be made.

If you are not in receipt of qualifying benefits, you may still be able to claim but will need to complete form HC1, which is available from cash payment points. If your place of treatment does not issue payments, you will need to claim your expenses using an HC5 claim form.

You can claim travel costs for yourself and, if your healthcare professional says it's medically necessary, for an escort to travel with you. You can also claim travel expenses for a child if you are eligible for any of the listed benefits and your child has been referred for treatment.

Frequently asked questions