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Private medical insurance
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 10:19
Considering this. Do you have it? Who do you recommend. Family of 4.
Does it cover things like hip / knee replacements? Thanks for any recommendations.
Have been looking at Aviva, Vitality and the Exeter. Also Benenden (have Benenden already)
Aviva have a reasonable policy which kicks in if the wait for treatment is over 6 weeks. Thinking of combining this with Benenden who I have used in the past for diagnosis and liked.
But would it be better / easier just to have one policy overall.
Been quoted around £60 just for the Aviva as mentioned (which would then include Benenden at £47 a mont for 4) or around £100-120 a month.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 13:44
Oh, I'm not keen on this. Reading the small print of the Vitality policy it seems you have to pay for the treatment etc up front then submit an invoice for approval.
I thought they would give you a code like with Bupa. This is what happens with Benenden
mdh2020 · 13/03/2023 14:02
We have private insurance and have had it for years and wouldn’t be without it while we can still afford it. They will cover hip/knee replacements but they won’t cover pre-existing or chronic conditions. I don’t know Benenden but you can’t have two policies and claim on both for the same thing.
emmathedilemma · 13/03/2023 14:09
I have cover through BUPA but it's a corporate policy so it doesn't cost me anything. That said, having had it, and used it, I would seriously consider paying for it myself if i ever moved to a job that didn't provide it. I had consultations, investigations and 2 procedures in less time than it took to get an initial consultation with the NHS. I've always found them easy to deal with on the phone and check policy cover etc. You don't pay up front apart from the excess on your policy which you pay direct to the hospital.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 15:25
Benenden is cheap, a set rate for each person no matter what age and covers some tests and treatments but not things like cancer, heart, brain or things like hip replacements.
AnnieApple123 · 13/03/2023 15:41
We have AXA. A feature of it I’ve found particularly useful is the free helpline they have for their members. It’s like 111 but you can usually speak to someone much more quickly. It includes an option to speak to a midwife or to a pharmacist directly.
Calling their claims team is less satisfactory though. I spent 1 hour 18 mins on the phone to them recently to get the same info I ultimately got from the hospital I’m booked at in a 5 minute call. 🙄
That said, on balance, I think they’re not a bad option.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 16:42
I notice that Bupa do not regard mental health as a chronic condition, might be useful to me. It does cost more though.
AnnieApple123 · 13/03/2023 16:56
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 16:42
I notice that Bupa do not regard mental health as a chronic condition, might be useful to me. It does cost more though.
Yes it’s worth thinking about what you might realistically want to claim for and what you might not.
I’ve personally opted for a high excess and low outpatient allowance as would prefer to just pay for anything which is outpatient only (physio, mental health, etc.). I view the cover really as being for inpatient or daypatient treatment. (It’s worth noting that, if you were to need investigations, you’d often be admitted as a daypatient for that day for the purposes of cover.
There are policies which don’t include the major Central London hospitals (Wellington, Cromwell, Princess Grace, etc.) and are considerably cheaper. For me having access to those was one of the main benefits but it may well not be if you’re in a completely different part of the country.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 17:00
AnnieApple123 · 13/03/2023 16:56
Yes it’s worth thinking about what you might realistically want to claim for and what you might not.
I’ve personally opted for a high excess and low outpatient allowance as would prefer to just pay for anything which is outpatient only (physio, mental health, etc.). I view the cover really as being for inpatient or daypatient treatment. (It’s worth noting that, if you were to need investigations, you’d often be admitted as a daypatient for that day for the purposes of cover.
There are policies which don’t include the major Central London hospitals (Wellington, Cromwell, Princess Grace, etc.) and are considerably cheaper. For me having access to those was one of the main benefits but it may well not be if you’re in a completely different part of the country.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 16:42
I notice that Bupa do not regard mental health as a chronic condition, might be useful to me. It does cost more though.
Yes very useful. Thanks. I may use Benenden for outpatients perhaps
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 17:02
Can you still go to the London hospitals if you are say an hour or so away?
Stinkypup · 13/03/2023 17:09
I've just gone onto policy with vitality after starting new job with no health insurance. I'll have to check the small print better as I didn't know you had to pay first and am not in a position to do so!
Hellswithbigbells · 13/03/2023 17:26
We have had a policy with BUPA for many years now and found it excellent. We have made quite a few claims, including for referrals that have led to major operations, and have not faced any problems with progressing the claims. They also provide free online GP services and you can book an online appointment to start within minutes of trying, up to quite late at night and at weekends. We have additional cancer cover (which we have thankfully not had to use to date) but you can self refer straight to a consultant if you are experiencing any cancer symptoms.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 18:49
That does sound good (Bupa) I saw that about Vitality, best check that.
AnnieApple123 · 13/03/2023 18:59
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 17:02
Can you still go to the London hospitals if you are say an hour or so away?
Absolutely. You can use the London private hospitals wherever you live. Many people travel from overseas to use them. In practice though they may well not be your preferred first port of call if you’re based way up north say.
amylou8 · 13/03/2023 19:02
I used an online broker called activequote for my policy. I wouldn't normally use a broker for anything, but I didn't really know what I needed, so it seemed sensible, and they were really helpful. I ended up with Bupa.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 19:13
Thanks for the replies.
Benenden Health are owned by Bupa and use their codes etc I wonder if they use the same GP helpline too.
For now we are with them but think may consider Bupa as well in future.
dew141 · 13/03/2023 19:22
I've just been switched from AXA to BUPA under a work scheme. Obviously policy specific but our BUPA policy is very mean on outpatient limits.
AXA paid for my first hip replacement but I had to get an exemption as the London hospital I wanted to have it at wasn't part of my plan (although the surgeon was). I'm about to have the other side replaced which BUPA are funding but only as it was pre-arranged before the policy moved from AXA.
I have arthritis which complicates things with private health insurance. If you can get them to cover a long-term, chronic condition, they'll typically pay for intervention-type treatment but not routine monitoring. So they've covered steroid injections for example.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 19:29
dew141 · 13/03/2023 19:22
I've just been switched from AXA to BUPA under a work scheme. Obviously policy specific but our BUPA policy is very mean on outpatient limits.
AXA paid for my first hip replacement but I had to get an exemption as the London hospital I wanted to have it at wasn't part of my plan (although the surgeon was). I'm about to have the other side replaced which BUPA are funding but only as it was pre-arranged before the policy moved from AXA.
I have arthritis which complicates things with private health insurance. If you can get them to cover a long-term, chronic condition, they'll typically pay for intervention-type treatment but not routine monitoring. So they've covered steroid injections for example.
You could join Benenden it's only £11 a month to add to diagnostics, I have found them very good.
dew141 · 13/03/2023 19:35
I did look at continuing AXA cover on a personal basis and the quote was £18k a year (gulp). I'm in my late 40s and in good health. So the work scheme it is.
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 19:45
amylou8 · 13/03/2023 19:02
I used an online broker called activequote for my policy. I wouldn't normally use a broker for anything, but I didn't really know what I needed, so it seemed sensible, and they were really helpful. I ended up with Bupa.
Just had a look at this and it looked pretty useful. Thanks
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 19:46
dew141 · 13/03/2023 19:35
I did look at continuing AXA cover on a personal basis and the quote was £18k a year (gulp). I'm in my late 40s and in good health. So the work scheme it is.
That's surprising, I am 46 and being quoted around £60-£100 a month.
Blanketunderstars · 13/03/2023 19:48
We have vitality, I’ve had to use them last year for consultations and ultimately surgery. We never had to pay anything upfront. You get approved for treatment, then the hospital bills them direct- well that was my experience.
AnnieApple123 · 13/03/2023 19:48
dew141 · 13/03/2023 19:35
I did look at continuing AXA cover on a personal basis and the quote was £18k a year (gulp). I'm in my late 40s and in good health. So the work scheme it is.
Woah! My parents, both in their 70s, are with Bupa and only pay around £10K.
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