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Original poster

Benenden Health

39 replies

KateBalesCardi · 20/11/2022 10:34

Just wondered if anyone has used them and whether they're any good really? Been reading through their blurb and can see that some stuff is not covered (cancer, major surgery etc) but wondering if it's still worth the money since we don't appear to have a functioning health service anymore? Anyone with info/experience please?

OP posts:
Badgerloco · 20/11/2022 10:56

My in laws have been trying to get us to take this out for years. Their experience of it has been very positive. They have also used the NHS a fair bit for some stuff that isn’t covered so can easily compare. Their only complaint recently was an 8am appointment meaning they had to pay for a hotel the night before as it was too far to drive down that morning.

Greenshake · 20/11/2022 10:59

So, what exactly does this cover? I have been toying with this idea for months.

Geepee71 · 20/11/2022 11:01

My mum used to have this and kept on at me to get it.

She has since stopped and now doesn't recommend, not sure what has changed?

Floralnomad · 20/11/2022 11:07

My sister signed us up and pays , she’s used the GP service , my BIL and other sister have used it loads over the years , he’s had sports injuries and had his gall bladder out .

Justsaying22 · 20/11/2022 11:20

Myself and my husband have been Beneden health members for years. It’s been very worthwhile for us. We have used them quite a few times, him for a prolapsed disc, a knee issue and a deviated septum. He had scans, diagnosis and physio fully paid for the disc and knee issue and diagnosis, and also an operation paid for on his nose. The operation was carried out at a Beneden hospital. All of this was done extremely quickly. I had 3 miscarriages and they paid for in depth investigations for me in relation to this. I also became quite ill a few years ago and they paid for an MRI scan and diagnosis in relation to this. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and quickly put on medication within weeks, whereas i would have been waiting months/yrs on the nhs. They won’t pay for major operations, but what they do excellently is pay for a quick private appt and investigations and get you that diagnosis or reassurance very quickly.

fredafrenchfancy · 22/11/2022 19:45

Has anyone used the GP service? How does that work? It says they will prescribe a private prescription, aren't they really expensive? Can you use it for repeat prescriptions?

Wilma55 · 22/11/2022 19:47

I had a cataract done when the nhs wait was over a certain number of weeks.

IwishIwasSupermum · 22/11/2022 20:01

Paid in for years but they weren’t interested when DS had salivary gland stones as they don’t cover Maxillofacial surgery, even though he was in immense pain as the gland kept on getting infected. They tend to cover more basic type of issues/surgery, also we don’t really have hospital near us so would have been a pain if we did use. We swapped to SimplyHealth which is a cash back plan which covers diagnostic/consultants, dentist, optician, Osteo etc, private GP, prescriptions, this has proved much more beneficial and I basically get back what I pay per year for the family if not more.

AnneElliott · 22/11/2022 20:11

I've been with them since I joined the civil service. I really like it - I've had second opinions about gastroenteritis and investigations and tests to find out what it is.

I also pay for my parents and my dad was given £1500 in relation to his cancer diagnosis. £500 of that could go toasts a holiday when he'd finished his treatment.

mummy2boys53 · 06/12/2022 21:30

I have used the GP service - was issued with a private prescription. They told me the charge is based on the items, non branded as obviously cheaper. For 5 days of antibiotics and a spray it was just over £20 which I didn’t think was bad as it would have £18.50 on the NHS for the 2 items.

Orangesandlemons77 · 11/03/2023 18:11

How does it work regarding e.g. cardiac and cancer treatment being with the NHS. This would be to save money and these are considered a priority so less long waiting lists?

TwistandSprout · 11/03/2023 18:13

Have had knee surgery and hand surgery on it - think it’s amazing!

3peassuit · 11/03/2023 18:16

I had varicose vein removal from Benenden would have cost me at least £3500 privately or a massive waiting waiting time on the NHS.

clipclop5 · 11/03/2023 18:18

Definitely worth it. We have ‘proper’ health insurance as well but still keep Benenden on top of it as they cover pre existing conditions and are so easy to deal with compared to Bupa. We used them to see consultants and get scans for DD’s back and they were fabulous - £1500 worth of treatment for nothing whereas with our regular insurance we would have to pay excess etc

Orangesandlemons77 · 11/03/2023 23:05

Can I ask how much does the normal insurance cost per month for e.g. a family?

GingerAle1 · 11/03/2023 23:12

Is the GP service in person? The main things that bother us are wanting to be seen in person as our local gp is now unwilling. How does it work with who is in your area? We were thinking if there’s anything with dc especially then we might just have to try a private gp.

ifyougochasingrabbits · 11/03/2023 23:27

Placemarking

ssd · 11/03/2023 23:56

I have this but never used it

Id love some sort of therapy for my health anxiety but not sure if this is covered

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 07:14

I find if you call them them seem pretty helpful so maybe just give them a ring and ask

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 07:36

Its very unhelpful on these threads that no one ever says what they pay per month or what the name of their plan is. Its quite tricky wading through the websites for various health companies, tow work out how much things are and whats covered

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 09:06

It's simple as it is the same price for everyone. £11.80 a month.

ProfYaffle · 12/03/2023 09:15

We found it helpful. We used the GP service (didn't get anything prescribed but found it useful to have time to discuss issues which our normal GP wasn't particularly interested in) had CBT, physiotherapy and extra consultant appointments for DD.

I think you have to have realistic expectations. It wraps around the NHS offering cover for procedures that are notoriously slow on the NHS while leaving the big tickets conditions alone. The list of procedures it covers is on the website.

We couldn't afford full private health care but this offers us a very reasonable way of getting extra peace of mind.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 09:51

I quite like the way it is the same price for everyone and they don't increase your premium if you use it more. No medical checks too.

But it doesn't cover more costly procedures or things like heart cancer or brain as 'the NHS does these well"

But does it these days?

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 09:53

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 09:06

It's simple as it is the same price for everyone. £11.80 a month.

Ok, I think I get confused because some people in the thread have said they dont do surgery and others are talking about having had gall bladder surgery

What is included, do they include pre existing conditions?

blebbleb · 12/03/2023 10:01

It looks great. I can't believe how cheap it is.

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