Should I keep private healthcare for DS

[ohiamsodamntired]

More of a wwyd

Turns out ex has been paying a policy since birth for him

DS doesn't get to see him anymore but he does pay maintenance and hasn't yet faulted so far

He says he will continue to pay it but he won't bother with the hassle of being financially responsible legally

So if I take it over - I'm responsible

I'm already pretty stretched tbh and there's zero guarantee that even maintenance will continue long term (ex has plans to move abroad I think)

It is only £16 a month

Would I be stupid to give it up?

I didn't know it existed till recently so it's never actually been used

It may all work out and actually he will continue to choose to pay but I just don't know - whatever legally if I become the policy holder its my financial responsibility

Policy can't stay in exes name as he isn't living with DS so technically it's invalid but apparently can be transferred to me if I agree within a few weeks time

I have no idea how either fabulous or useless it is to have!

i would transfer it if you can afford it.

Personally for me it’s a no brainee and a priority. I feel reassured that my kids are seen by specialists if and when they need to. I don’t personally buy into the NHS being all that great although obviously for emergencies and serious operations it can come into its own. Private health means my kids see who I want, when I want with no waiting and are tested quickly and easily. We have an excellent paediatrician for general issues who has seen us through hospital admissions, feeding issues, identifying allergies, teenage acne all sorts, I’ve used a knee specialist for, funnily enough knee problems in DS, eye specialists for 2 of like who had squints, an ENT for tonsils and an allergist.

Does the cost shoot up if you use it? Or would it be very sensible just to take it over, use it for whatever it covers we are already seeing the NHS about

And cancel if I really found it unaffordable at any point?

Depends on the terms of the policy eg excess fees and conditions. Ask to see a copy.

I’d definitely want to see the policy. £16 a month is really very cheap so I’d want to check exactly what it covers.

Our private health (part of my package at work) has been invaluable for us. It costs £33 p/m for a family of 5. I think the NHS is great but when i needed physio for a foot injury that meant i had trouble walking to the train station to get to work, BUPA paid for it immediately but the NHS had a 8 week wait.
When it became clear that my daughter was struggling at school and having other developmental issues, BUPA paid for her to see a developmental pead, and we discovered she is dealing with inattentive type ADHD. The wait for her to see the same doctor on the NHS was 2 years.
Obviously, you have to prioritze day to day living and putting food on the table but if the policy is a good one, then it is definately worth having.