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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get private medical insurance for my family

77 replies

babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 22:46

That's it really I just want some advice on whether to do this as am in two minds. To cover me, hubby and 3 kids will cost £215 per month. I just want to know whether other mumsnetters think it's worth it ?

OP posts:
FrancesHouseman · 05/04/2016 22:55

If you've got it spare put it in a savings account and if you need to go private for any reason in the future then the money is there.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 05/04/2016 22:58

Depends how much of a chunk it will take out of your income. DH and I have both had private medical insurance through work for decades - I've never used mine, he used his once to get a scan done faster on his sore knee. From what I know of colleagues who've been seriously ill, it seems to buy you a bit more comfort (private room etc) but the actual medical treatment was still via the NHS. There might be an 'in-between' though.

SmarterThanTheAverageBear16 · 05/04/2016 23:02

That isn't a question anyone here can answer for you. Nobody knows your circumstances.

glasg0wmum · 05/04/2016 23:02

You'd need to be very clear about what you're getting. We have it through husband's work, sometimes used it and sometimes not. I had my gallbladder out privately as it could be done much more quickly, but when my 8 year old needed an orthopaedic operation we opted to have it done on the NHS in the local children's hospital as that's where the specialists were. I would not consider going privately for any of the kids to be honest, we have one of the country's best children's hospitals in Glasgow and the private hospital - although excellent - just does not offer the same level of expertise as in the NHS hospital.

We also have to pay a £150 excess each year, and there's a limit on how much outpatient treatment/tests you can have in any one year. You are also not covered for anything pregnancy related, mental health problems and anything deemed "self-inflicted". Routine GP stuff isn't covered either, and if you do have a problem you want to go private for, you have to see your GP to be referred first.

Original poster
babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 23:05

Thanks Franceshouseman we are in a very fortunate position where we do have it as spare income. I'm 40 in a few months so am very paranoid about becoming unwell.

To use an example as to why I thought about this is my 17 year old son had a medical issue he was covered in a rash overnight and after 2 weeks and no joy from our local GP I saw a private consultant who diagnosed him immediately and advised him of the treatment he needed. To show just how quick it was I called the hospital at 4pm and got an appointment the same day for 7pm.

OP posts:
Shenanagins · 05/04/2016 23:07

For you and your partner, if you can afford it, you may as well as it will help you get treated quicker although for major things nhs tends to be best. For the kids, it depends where in the country you are. I live in a major city and there is so few private paediatricians it's quicker to get treated via the nhs.

tilder · 05/04/2016 23:09

Different health insurance policies provide different levels of cover. Make sure you read the small print and know what is covered and what isn't. Within reason, there is probably a lot of small print.

I would go private for some things. Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole for others.

Original poster
babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 23:10

Shananigams I'm in London.

OP posts:
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 05/04/2016 23:11

How often is that likely to happen, though, and how much did it cost just to pay? More than £2500 a year?

Xmasbaby11 · 05/04/2016 23:15

It depends on the facilities in your area. Where I live there are excellent hospitals and a GP surgery down the road. I don't know anyone who has private healthcare even though many could afford it.

I think the man advantage is the speed, as you say. I had to wait months for an operation this year and eventually got a date at a month's notice. It was not life threatening in any way, but the inconvenience was a pain as the recovery was long and my parents and husband had to reorganise their time, and book extra childcare.

glasg0wmum · 05/04/2016 23:15

As an indication, my last appointment with a consultant at the local private hospital cost the insurance company £90. (they send me a copy of every invoice). Conditions like the 17 year old with a rash would cost less than the excess - so you'd be better saving the premium and just paying cash.

The benefit comes when you need surgery which is not acute and has lengthy waits on the NHS. My gallbladder surgery would have cost £6k had I had to foot the bill myself as a combination of surgery fees, anaesthetist fees, hospital stay etc. All it cost was the £150 excess.

If I was having a heart attack though or something equally acute I'd want to be in the NHS hospital.

Original poster
babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 23:16

That's the big question is it worth it?? I've done the sums and the children's grandmother has also offered to pay half the premium.

OP posts:
Original poster
babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 23:17

So basically it will only really cost me 106 per month

OP posts:
Shenanagins · 05/04/2016 23:24

I think whether it is worth it is really hard to say. In London you would have very quick access to Drs in all specialisms and if you feel it would give you peace of mind you should consider it.

I had it for years and it did help me get diagnosed with something but then I was quickly transferred over to the nhs for treatment with the same dr!

LifeCrossRoad · 05/04/2016 23:29

Probably worth it. Private consultations are £150-£200 just for the appointment, let alone scans/tests etc.
With the children its great for outpatients appointments for specialists, but all interventions/treatment will be in NHS children's hospitals/wards as there is no facility in private land.
But if you can afford it, for peace of mind I would.

fakenamefornow · 05/04/2016 23:31

We have private medical insurance and my 8yo needed gromits. The amount of paperwork was ridiculous, she had the op no quicker, it cost us £500 excess because the treatment spanned two insurance years. The hospital was fine but not at all set up for children, no toys, games, etc. The aftercare was fine but much more... basic. Testing her hearing was done by the doctor whispering behind her and with a machine and headphones in his office, compared to the much more comprehensive tests done in a sound proof room by the NHS. Plus point was that she had her own nurse on the day of the op, the nurse had no other children to look after so spent most of the day hanging around chatting to me about her (adult) children.

I wouldn't spend the money.

Clobbered · 05/04/2016 23:34

If you can afford it, I'd say go for it. You aren't just getting your treatment more quickly and with the added comfort and convenience of a private hospital, you are also (crucially in my view) guaranteed to get treated by consultants. You may well still get a consultant doing your surgery etc in the NHS, but it's not guaranteed, and that in my view is the biggest difference and the benefit that you are paying for.

fakenamefornow · 05/04/2016 23:35

but all interventions/treatment will be in NHS children's hospitals/wards as there is no facility in private land.

My 8yo daughter had an operation in a private hospital.

Original poster
babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 23:39

I am inclined to just set it up. I have a irrational fear of getting cancer as have lost 2 friends to the disease.

OP posts:
edwinbear · 05/04/2016 23:40

I have it for all of us. The cost is split between me and work and I've found them superb. I've personally had a prolapse repair and two colonoscopies done privately and ds had an undescended testicle brought down at The Portland, as well as having a missed tongue tie investigated recently. For me, it's the ability to research and choose my own surgeon that matters as well as the much shorter waiting times.

edwinbear · 05/04/2016 23:44

With the children its great for outpatients appointments for specialists, but all interventions/treatment will be in NHS children's hospitals/wards as there is no facility in private land.

ds had surgery in The Portland at 9 months via my insurance and at 5 saw a surgeon privately at a BMI hospital re a missed tongue tie. Both with consultants, whereas for routine issues like the above, they would have seen registrars on the NHS. That in itself is a big bonus for me.

Original poster
babyface2014 · 05/04/2016 23:44

Edwinbear that's exactly what I want shorter waiting times as well as piece of mind.

OP posts:
SoThatHappened · 05/04/2016 23:59

Both with consultants, whereas for routine issues like the above, they would have seen registrars on the NHS. That in itself is a big bonus for me.

Who says? You can ask for the consultant and not the registrar.

I have to say that when I have had treatment, sometimes the registrar is more thorough than the consultant as they can have a seen it all before, dismissive attitude.

BeALert · 06/04/2016 01:22

If I was moving back to the UK and I had the cash spare I would buy it but I would check the contract terms first. Does it cover pre-existing conditions? What are the limitations? What is the deductible?

FuriousFate · 06/04/2016 02:38

My GPs had private cover until well into their 90s, when it became way too expensive for them to continue with (and they had money). DGM is now sadly not with us, DGF says he wishes he'd just put the monthly payments into a savings account and used that for treatment if he'd needed it. Based on the few times they actually used the policy, he'd have been quids in. However - it's hard to put a price on the peace of mind it bought them.