Private health insurance

[stirlingway]

With all the recent scary reports on the news about the state of the nhs and some of the threads I have seen on mumsnet of poor care I am thinking of getting private health insurance for my family.

Having looked online it seems so confusing, ther are a lot of exclusions (mainly for chronic conditions which I don't think the NHS manages well anyway) and the level of cover varies so much. Does anyone have health insurance and feel it worth it versus anyone regretting getting it as it didn't cover them when they needed it? Any advice greatly received!

We have AXA insurance through DH’s work. It’s the premium offering that we opted for, and honestly it’s great. I’ve used it for a breast lump (NHS 2 week urgent pathway was taking 5 weeks in my area at that time (covid), I saw consultant in 2 days privately for a one stop breast clinic), a gynae issue (included scans, mri and hysteroscopy), and a liver growth (benign, just need mri scan to check it). DH has used it for dermatology. On Friday my son is having a minor operation in the private hospital, with the same consultant we had been referred to on the nhs, but the nhs wait was 2 years for the op. The private one gave us a choice of dates within a couple of weeks.

We are so lucky to have it, and while we do I’m using it for everything! It’s been really easy to get things approved with AXA and is definitely recommend then from my experience, although we haven’t used anyone else.

Thanks @nomorespaghetti that's really helpful.

No problem, it might be worth calling a few different insurers and telling them what you want, they will be able to recommend a plan for you that way, and you could compare a few.

I have axa health care for our family. We've used it several times and everything has been really quick. I had to have a knee op after an accident during first lockdown and it was sorted within weeks. It was an 18 month wait on the nhs and probably longer now. I was in a lot of pain so I couldn't imagine waiting that time. You will be given so much more options than the nhs if you need serious treatment and access to drugs they can't provide - that's aways a plus.

Another AXA member here - through my work but I've used them for 3 employers over a decade. They're great. Mostly used for physio and the private gp but occasionally consultants and super fast access eg for breast scans.

Seems like a comprehensive vote for AXA!

My family use AXA health care, It's been lovely not having to use the NHS.

I have BUPA through work. I've had a prolapse repair, when mesh was all the rage and my consultant refused to use it as he said there wasn't enough research on the long term effects - he gets a big tick. I've also had proctitis diagnosed and treated through it and DS had an undescended testicle brought down in the Portland when he was 9 months. Being able to phone them and be in front of a well qualified doctor/surgeon with a week or two is such a huge comfort.

I have it through work

When I had a breast scare during pandemic it meant I got seen by a consultant plus ultrasound / mammogram & biopsy all within the space of a couple of weeks.

Also got a colonoscopy quickly when I was having dodgy bowl movements a few years ago. NHS doctors were dismissing it but private doctor straight away said let’s do a colonoscopy as it’s the only way of knowing for sure.

If you can afford it I personally think it’s worth it

The only thing so far mine didn’t pay out for was a root canal as it doesn’t cover dental things

Another AXA vote here.

I would suggest Benenden, we have been members for around 25 years, used it many times, unfortunately. Much cheaper than most private insurers, used to be only for civil servants, but that changes many years ago, open to all now.

Oh and it also didn’t pay out for a full body mole & skin check which cost me an extra £200 or so

All these posts are quite reassuring, thanks everyone for your feedback.

We have Aviva through work. Saved my life - literally - with a speedy diagnosis that NHS Scotland just could not have delivered. Have not been without it for about 30 years ( not always Aviva ) and would not be without it if I have any choice.

We also have AXA and would recommend it. I’ve used it nearly every month this year for different trestments for skin cancer. My GP told me it was a rash and to apply some cream but I was pushy and asked to be referred to a private dermatologist.
I’ve never had to wait for an appointment and always gets results really quickly.
They covered my DC’s epilepsy for about three years and then said they could let continue to do so. We then carried on seeing the private consultant but paid.

Axa. It's amazing. I've seen consultants next day sometimes when I have had an issue. No more waiting around for months. It's taking control of your health.

Has anyone used Vitality? I like the look of it and have a quotation I'm happy with. AXA was £40 more a month for the comparable policy but not sure if that's because it's far superior. Sounds like it from the responses!

AXA have been great for us. There’s a thing called ‘doctor at hand’ or something like that - you go online, put your details in and pick a time slot (there are loads available) to see a doctor that day. We’ve used it a few times - it’s so much faster than the NHS process to see a GP.

We currently have Aviva through work. I have gone for the top of the range version, some £250 as benefit for tax and a £150 per person per year excess.

DH has made a lot of use of it. Work negotiated that existing conditions are not excluded. Not sure you would get that on a personal policy.

The work supplied one has changed over the years, they have all been good.

The only things DH has been refused cover for has been for monitoring of chronic conditions. They only cover consultations to investigate new symptoms, which seems fair enough

The only part we do not use is the option to use a private GP, which would mean that our records are transferred out of the local NHS surgery.

I'm due to retire in the next ten years, and the local NHS GP's surgery is pretty good. Their list id now closed so if we transferred out, we might not get back when I retire and we no longer have private cover.

It is extortionate as a pensioner / over 75. My parents resigned themselves to just pay in retirement. Don't think we can afford that for DH's usage level so I shall probably work til he drops 😀

Once you get used to not having to 'queue' for treatment, it's very difficult to go back. I'd encourage anyone who can afford it to have private insurance. I really wish we all did through the European model of nationally controlled medical insurance rather than the free for all that is the USA, where if you can afford it it's wonderful and if you can't, it's bad luck.

I think the European model of personal health insurance through your employer, with a safety net for pensioners and the unemployed is a better way forward.

@KimchiJjigae

Has anyone used Vitality? I like the look of it and have a quotation I'm happy with. AXA was £40 more a month for the comparable policy but not sure if that's because it's far superior. Sounds like it from the responses!

We had the opposite, the quote we got from Vitality was £70 per month more for us, so we went with AXA.