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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have private health insurance?

205 replies

CherryValley5 · 01/09/2024 20:15

Do you have it? Would you get it?

Having just received DD’s (eye watering) PHI renewal it struck me that 10 years ago it would not have even entered my mind to insure a teenager, nowadays it would feel like borderline neglect if I cancelled her policy and instead made her sit on endless NHS waiting lists. I am insured too through work and would never take another job that didn’t offer it. Just sitting here in disbelief that something I would’ve called a luxury not too long ago now feels like an essential for quality of life. It’s so depressing!

OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 01/09/2024 20:45

ThisIsMeTryingNow · 01/09/2024 20:30

Yes, we have it through DH’s work. It’s been invaluable over the last few years.

Fully taxable but with aged parents with issues, I'll be signing up for the highest possible level of cover funds permitting! Dad has been waiting for months for apts and finally called his insurers in desperation to be whisked in and given every test under the sun, a multifunctional team consulting with each other and has left after two weeks with his worst fears removed, a new set of challenges but a way forward.

Mum had great care with the big C but it was really evident when there were multiple issues that the cross co~ordination aspect left a lot to be improved.

Original poster
CherryValley5 · 01/09/2024 20:44

Kitkat1523 · 01/09/2024 20:40

I have just been referred to a specialist….not under the 2 week cancer targets…..my appointment is 3 weeks to the date of my gp appointment and referral…..I will be seen at our local private hospital ( which has a contract with the nhs) …..what more would I have got for my money privately ?

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You are very fortunate to live in a part of the UK with low waiting lists then. Where we are 3 weeks would be miraculous, 3 years would be more accurate (if not under 2 week wait) and even then that target is missed more often than not..

OP posts:
DoYouReally · 01/09/2024 20:43

Yes and there's a lot of things I would cut before I would go without it.

I appear to have bad genetics on both sides of my family.

Kitkat1523 · 01/09/2024 20:40

MissAnthr0pe · 01/09/2024 20:35

Yes - though only used it once. I live a mile and a half from the hospital I work in, so don't want to be treated there if I can help it.

I have just been referred to a specialist….not under the 2 week cancer targets…..my appointment is 3 weeks to the date of my gp appointment and referral…..I will be seen at our local private hospital ( which has a contract with the nhs) …..what more would I have got for my money privately ?

TheStroppyFeminist · 01/09/2024 20:39

We have it with our jobs

PickledMuffin · 01/09/2024 20:39

I do, through work my children are also included.

whateveryouwantmetosay · 01/09/2024 20:38

We don't line in the uk anymore, but when we did we had private insurance. Worth every single pence given how much we used it, how many waiting lists we avoided, and how much NHS negligence we didn't have to deal with.

Kitkat1523 · 01/09/2024 20:38

CherryValley5 · 01/09/2024 20:34

I wouldn’t say that I can really afford it but your health is priceless in my opinion, especially when it comes to DC with their whole life ahead of them.

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How many times have you used for your DC? All my 3 were under specialists as children….we live in the NW so had Alder Hey childrens Hospital on our doorstep….we had excellent care from Neurology, Endocrine and Community Peadiatric service …..if we had paid I can’t see what better service we would have had

Hadalifeonce · 01/09/2024 20:37

We took out PHI at the beginning of COVID, we started hearing so many stories of appointments being cancelled, we decided to take it out whilst we are still healthy, even if a bit older.

MissAnthr0pe · 01/09/2024 20:35

Yes - though only used it once. I live a mile and a half from the hospital I work in, so don't want to be treated there if I can help it.

Original poster
CherryValley5 · 01/09/2024 20:34

MugPlate · 01/09/2024 20:32

No. It’s available but I can’t justify the cost.

I wouldn’t say that I can really afford it but your health is priceless in my opinion, especially when it comes to DC with their whole life ahead of them.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 01/09/2024 20:34

Yes through my work. I wouldn't take a job without it now.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 01/09/2024 20:34

No, we are retired now and we would use our savings if we needed to go private. It is too expensive to have a private health insurance.

socks1107 · 01/09/2024 20:33

I have it through my dh work. I wouldn't be without it and I work for the nhs but can't rely on availability when I need it

MugPlate · 01/09/2024 20:32

No. It’s available but I can’t justify the cost.

ssd · 01/09/2024 20:31

No but i wish i had it

ThisIsMeTryingNow · 01/09/2024 20:30

Yes, we have it through DH’s work. It’s been invaluable over the last few years.

HoppityBun · 01/09/2024 20:26

Yes, as a taxable work benefit, but I won’t continue it after I retire

Tiredofthewhirring · 01/09/2024 20:26

Yes pay privately for both kids

Barney16 · 01/09/2024 20:25

Yes because I had rubbish treatment from the NHS last year. To be fair I have had really good treatment this year, two week cancer pathway, but it didn't reassure me enough. I pay £145 a month and think it's money well spent.

Kitkat1523 · 01/09/2024 20:25

No ….never been in a position where I would have needed it ( touch wood) ….always had timely nhs referrals for me and my children

App13 · 01/09/2024 20:25

No I don't. I can afford it but choose not to. Since 20s I have been clean living and so hopefully I'll be OK. I have it for dd and it costs 17.48 a month.

Chickadeep · 01/09/2024 20:25

Yes through work with DH and DC added on. Considered a job move recently but medical insurance wasn't an option and it was one reason for not taking the job, which felt very American sadly. With a child with a heap of medical issues I'm not risking being without even though a lot of the really specialised stuff just isn't covered.

FawnFrenchieMum · 01/09/2024 20:25

Yes all of us are insured via my company. I wouldn’t take any job now that didn’t cover me & the family.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 01/09/2024 20:23

We all have it through DH’s work.

Not needed to use it but it’s peace of mind

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