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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.

Updated on Monday, 28 October 2019, 1430 views

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