Debt and Mental Health
On October 1st 2019 the BMA announced that patients will no longer have to pay for medical evidence to support a diagnosis of a mental health diagnosis when seeking advice or liaising with creditors about personal debt.
This change comes as a result of changes in the new 5 year contract agreed earlier in 2019.
Creditors or Advisers should trust customers own accounts of their health issues.
If evidence is needed a prescription, appointment card or letter concerning benefits should be accepted.
If evidence is unavailable then a GP can be required to complete a Debt and Mental Health Form. The agreement is that all that is required is to tick a box confirming existence of a mental health problem and to write the named diagnosis on the form. Any additional information is voluntary but there is a box to allow for this.