In January, my pharmacist gave me a prescription subsidy card for families who use a lot of prescriptions. I was grateful because I wasn’t aware there was such a thing. A few weeks later, in February, I went to use it for my daughter and was told that the card was already out of date. I wouldn’t be able to use it until I’d picked up another 20 prescriptions. Sounds nuts. What’s going on?
I appreciate your frustration, but there’s an explanation. The Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card is provided through chemists by the Ministry of Health. It isn’t means-tested and it’s to help all families who have to pay for a lot of medication. Family units qualify for one once they’ve paid for 20 new prescriptions in a year. The “year” begins
on February 1 each calendar year. What must have happened was you qualified for a card in January having paid for 20 prescriptions in the year prior. This means you only had a few weeks, up to February 1, to claim the subsidy as the “year” was ending. But once that date comes up, it’s a new cycle and the count starts again. You will now not qualify for another card until you have paid for another 20 prescriptions. I am surprised your chemist didn’t warn you about this. At least you now know you were not being messed about.
Another thing to remember with these subsidy cards is that you keep a record of any prescriptions you or any family members get from other chemists. Make sure you take the receipts for these into your own chemist so that they know how many you’ve paid for overall. Your chemist will no doubt inform you when you reach the required 20.
RINK AROUND
My local council recently told me they wouldn’t fund an ice-skating rink for our kids. When I protested, they said not everyone had the same interest in ice-skating I had. Last week I walked past our flash new local library. I never use libraries because, like most of my friends, I’m not a bookie type. Yet I am paying for the library and books out of my rates. Why should I have to pay for pointy-heads’ hobbies?
Good on you for questioning the status quo. It is assumed councils will provide libraries for the pleasure and education of ratepayers, but I suspect a significant percentage of every community never uses the library… nor indeed, read books. Maybe more than half! It always strikes me as odd that it’s free to borrow a library book, but you have to pay to download music or hire a video. However, I think it’s highly likely more ratepayers would want a library before an ice-skating rink. Libraries are not just about books, but also a research resource for school projects. They’re used for community meetings and functions. But keep up the pressure for your cause. Set up a stall at the local mall and get signatures urging the council to re-consider the idea. After all, it seems local rinks are making a comeback.
Do you have a consumer question for Kevin? Email consumer@nzww.co.nz
or post to Weekly Consumer, PO Box 90119, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142
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