This advice and guidance is for patients attending any of the hospital sites or departments managed by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals.
The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme is a Department of Health and Social Care scheme which allows patients on a low income or specific benefits to claim a refund for reasonable travel costs to hospital.
- Universal Credit (previously Working Tax Credit/ Child Tax Credit)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- HC2 Certificate
- HC3 Certificate
- HC1 Form
How to claim
On the day you come to the hospital, you or your representative can request the HTCS & HC5 (T) form from the department you are attending.
- A Completed HTCS claim form (must be obtained from and stamped and signed by a member of staff in the clinic, department, or ward)
- HC5 (T) form. This must have the hospital address on the back of the form in the notes section. Please do not post your completed forms to the hospital address.
- Valid receipts used for the time of your appointment (tickets for public transport).
Claims must be made within three months of the date of appointment.
Post the forms to NHSBSA at the address provided within the HC5 (T) form the address can be found on page 1. NHSBSA will process the form and check the claim.
Send all documentation, including forms HCTS and HC5 (T), any receipts, by post to:
NHS Business Services Authority, Bridge House, 12 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6SN
If you have provided your bank details, payment will be paid direct into your bank. If no bank details are provided a cheque will be issued instead.
A guide has been created to help ensure you complete all relevant parts of the form. Follow the step by step guide here.
What can I claim a refund for?
Public transport
The amount will be calculated on the cheapest form of public transport available, including concessionary and promotional fares.
Private car
The refund will be based on distances determined from the Trust’s mileage chart. The current mileage rate is available from the Account Receivables Team. Car parking charges are not reimbursed where the hospital offers the free Park & Ride scheme. (Patients cannot claim for penalty notices).
Escorts
You may claim for the travel cost of one escort if this is considered medically necessary. To claim for the cost of an escort the relevant section of the HTCS claim form must be completed by a member of the medical staff.
Postage
To cover your costs of the First Class postage to send the form to NHSBSA, the cost of the postage will be reimbursed to you as part of your claim.
Fraud
Fraud is unacceptable in the NHS and the Trust has in place a robust mechanism for checking claims. If fraud is suspected, it will be reported to our Local Counter Fraud Specialist.
Contact us
Account Receivables Team
Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Armthorpe Road
Doncaster
DN2 5LT
Tel: 01302 642253
Email: DBTH.dbthaccountsreceivables@nhs.net
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