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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:

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 10:05

Me neither which is why Im surprised at some people saying they got surgery, CBT etc etc. Im going to look at this again today as at some point in the next year I may well need my gall bladder out or at least investigations for stones, and perhaps kidney stones too. If I can get all that for 12 quid a month then I will

PreparationPreparationPrep · 12/03/2023 10:07

Do they cover dental treatment?

PreparationPreparationPrep · 12/03/2023 10:08

Sorry I meant more if someone had experience rather than what's on the website

blebbleb · 12/03/2023 10:13

@bellac11 can you not get that on the nhs? Someone I know went to the GP and there was a 4 week wait for gallbladder removal But it was pushed forward in the end when they went to A&E

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 10:17

blebbleb · 12/03/2023 10:13

@bellac11 can you not get that on the nhs? Someone I know went to the GP and there was a 4 week wait for gallbladder removal But it was pushed forward in the end when they went to A&E

Probably, Im just worried about ending up in A+E and having to wait. Some people have massive stones or even blocked ducts and are just left waiting

Im worrying about something that may not happen, but I will be losing a lot of weight this year which is a massive risk factor and Ive also had kidney stones before which were somewhat mis managed by the NHS although it was a long time ago so I have a bit of fear about it.

I just want to be on the front foot.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:21

I had varicose veins surgery with them and it was great. NHS wouldn't do it.

It was easy, the GP just wrote a private referral, and then Benenden approved it.

I have also recently had an ultrasound in 2 days when the wait was 16 weeks. Which found something which needed an MRI - once again had this in a few weeks. MRI then found something else and was able to discuss this with a specialist within a few weeks.

After this I had thew appointment for the ultrasound come through- so with the NHS I would still have been at that stage. Might have got to the MRI scan in a few years perhaps? Who knows.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:23

I have just joined by two DC to it so my direct debit has increased to £47.00 ish a month which I think is fine. Planning to keep doing this for them for the future

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 10:25

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:21

I had varicose veins surgery with them and it was great. NHS wouldn't do it.

It was easy, the GP just wrote a private referral, and then Benenden approved it.

After this I had thew appointment for the ultrasound come through- so with the NHS I would still have been at that stage. Might have got to the MRI scan in a few years perhaps? Who knows.

So reading their website today they say that they dont offer treatment or scans on the same body part for the same conditions within 2 years?

I dont understand how this works, given as you say, sometimes you'll have a scan on a leg lets say, and it finds you need a different scan for the same area for the condition and like you say you did need further exploration, presumably on the same body part?

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:32

Yes I am a bit unsure about that too and keep meaning to clarify with them. It says not for the same condition so guess it would be OK for a different problem in the same area.

But how would you know?

Also I wondered how they define the same area. For example I had scans and investigations for upper right abdo pain recently. Would this mean I wouldn't be covered for abdo pain in the next 2 years?

It makes sense I suppose not to be investigating the same areas over and over. And my scans would have covered most of the upper abdo area.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:35

For the further scans situation, that is covered but you need to get it done then, in fact they have 6 months as a limit for all investigations / tests / appts (however said they could be flexible with this as it can take a bit longer)

Your financial limit for this is £1800 but may be slightly increasing apparently. Which covered my ultrasound, MRI and referral to a specialist.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:36

Another thing I want to clarify is is this £1800 limit for each new problem (I think so)

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 10:38

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:32

Yes I am a bit unsure about that too and keep meaning to clarify with them. It says not for the same condition so guess it would be OK for a different problem in the same area.

But how would you know?

Also I wondered how they define the same area. For example I had scans and investigations for upper right abdo pain recently. Would this mean I wouldn't be covered for abdo pain in the next 2 years?

It makes sense I suppose not to be investigating the same areas over and over. And my scans would have covered most of the upper abdo area.

Yes its a bit confusing. You say you had an ultrasound which then discovered that you needed an MRI, presumably that must have been on the same body part for the same condition?

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 10:43

Yes that's right.

I think maybe best to ring and check with them, that is what I will do. They are pretty helpful.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/03/2023 16:04

I'm wondering about whether to put the DC on it or not. I have added them already but just wondering if they would actually use it. Probably not but you never know.

Eldest is 18 and may be off to university soon. I wondered if the counselling line might be of use to him should he ever need it and also the GP line if it wasn't easy to access a GP.

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