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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Do you have private health insurance?

71 replies

ElizabethG81 · 08/05/2021 13:53

I'm considering getting private health insurance and am a bit overwhelmed with all the options - what to include, 6 week wait option, hospital options, etc. Do you have it? If so, which insurance company? Aviva seems to come up cheapest for me so would appreciate hearing about experiences with them.

I'd be adding my 2 children on to the policy but am confused about hospital choices as it seems not many private hospitals treat children. Is it only really London hospitals that would be available?

Having a 6 week wait (i.e. if the NHS waiting list is under 6 weeks, then you use the NHS, if not you can go private straight away) reduces the price by about £20 per month, but is this worth it? They do say that most cancer treatments would start within 6 weeks on the NHS, but as I understand it, I would still be able to claim any treatments that the NHS didn't offer on the insurance policy.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Brainwave89 · 08/05/2021 14:10

Ok so I have health insurance and also work in this sector (so note I will be biased). I think if you can afford it private healthcare is worth spending money on, but I would make sure that you understand fully what it covers and does not cover before you proceed. in particular, on most policies there will be very limited cover for mental health problems, chronic health conditions (so for example dialysis would not be covered as well. On the six week wait policies I think these offer good value, but which out for other limitations. For example, physio cover if required is usually limited to one or two visits and typically a procedure might require a number of other visits. Similarly consultant visits will be limited to one or two with an excess. The big advantage is, that if you fall ill then you are assured treatment quicker, and in the current climate this is worth doing. There are some other products out there which are cheaper, but provide more specific cover. For example ones that provide access to a consultant only (often a major systems blockage), so you can shorten an NHS waiting time. This might also be worth considering depending on budget.

TotalBastardBollocks · 08/05/2021 14:12

We have private health insurance but it’s normal where we live. It’s amazing. My husband had a problem with his knee and had seen the surgeon and had the operation within 12 days. It’s worth paying on my opinion and we wouldn’t be without now.

ssd · 08/05/2021 14:12

Im considering this too

KnackeredHag · 08/05/2021 14:17

We do, with AXA PPP. Was advised not worth puting kids on it. We opted for the dental and optician package to so get up to 80% back on dentist charges and glasses/eye tests. Well worth it if I'm honest.

KnackeredHag · 08/05/2021 14:17

*too

seastargirl · 08/05/2021 14:45

We've got it, with the six week wait option and it's worked out brilliantly.

My children have used it more than my husband or I. My daughter is currently having gastro problems and the urgent wait list on the NHS is 26 wks, we're under going comprehensive tests at the mo privately. Two out of three kids have had their tonsils removed privately also.

I've used both aviva and bupa, not had problems with either, I believe vitality are also good.

Original poster

ElizabethG81 · 08/05/2021 14:47

@KnackeredHag

Why did they advise to not add the children?

OP posts:

Original poster

ElizabethG81 · 08/05/2021 14:48

@seastargirl

We've got it, with the six week wait option and it's worked out brilliantly.

I've used both aviva and bupa, not had problems with either, I believe vitality are also good.

When you claim, does the renewal price increase a lot the next year?

OP posts:

anothercovidxmas · 08/05/2021 14:55

The children are generally very well catered for on the NHS, our DC was referred by private ENT to NHS as he doesn't do hearing aids, for example. There was not a huge wait either although for understandable reasons the overall service was not as good.

seastargirl · 08/05/2021 14:55

It has done, which is how we ended up with the six week wait policy. We didn't claim last year and it went up about £10 per month, the year before we claimed about £4k and it went up about £25 a month

HildegardNightingale · 08/05/2021 15:08

I had private med insurance which wouldn’t cover me for a procedure I had to have done. Luckily the nhs stepped in and I had the procedure done in 4 days.
When I phoned to cancel my policy I was told I should have been covered for the procedure.

LemonRoses · 08/05/2021 15:09

Most private hospitals cannot admit children but will often allow outpatient appointments for over three's in some specialties such as ENT. Acutely unwell children do well with the NHS and even those hospitals which admit children are often not as well resourced for their care and treatment and do not have as many specialist children's staff. Overnight and at weekends the only medical cover is likely to be what is called an RMO - a junior non-specialist doctor.

There are a few exceptions which offer very reasonable children's services including a paediatric ward and even IT - specifically that is places like The Cromwell and The Harley Street Clinic.

A child over twelve with a sports injury requiring physio will do well in independent sector, but I'd not let my child be operated on outside of the NHS. If you do, opt for places on NHS campuses, where rapid transfer is possible or use the private wings of some of the major NHS children's hospitals. I'd certainly not let my child have their tonsils out privately - everyone assumes it is minor surgery when the risk of complications is quite high.

For yourself, most critical illnesses are better off on the NHS - cancer, stroke, cardiothoracic, intensive care situations, trauma are all better with NHS. You might not get such nice hotel services, but it is safer and there are appropriately qualified staff around the clock.

Where the independent sector does best is the 'bread and butter' non-urgent elective surgery. It allows you to choose the timing of your hip replacement, sinus washout, carpal tunnel surgery or pelvic sling operation.
It offers swifter access to non-cancer diagnostics and to a consultant outpatient appointment.
IH hospitals often do not offer one-stop clinics and there is frequently lesser input from a multidisciplinary team offering a wider expertise on the best treatment options for cancers. You may book with a consultant who is very set in what they believe is the best option and that may not always be the best practice. Governance and control is weaker in the IH sector - google Paterson. Although there were NHS failings too there was not the complete lack of accountability and challenge that occurred in the private sector. Balancing that, you may be offered newer treatments that are not offered because they do not show cost/benefit advantages.

Go into private healthcare with your eyes open and choose carefully what you are and are not going to use them for.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 08/05/2021 15:18

I work in the NHS in a hospital with a private ward. If you have private health insurance, then you will be seen quicker, get a bit longer to chat to the consultant, have your own room, and that's about it. Any investigations like X - rays, CT scans etc are done in the normal NHS part of the hospital. Also worth noting that if (God forbid) you were seriously ill, or had a procedure at an entirely private hospital which resulted in any complications, then you would end up in an NHS hospital, as private hospitals don't have A&E or ICU. So personally I wouldn't bother with private health insurance.

notapizzaeater · 08/05/2021 15:33

I've a policy with vitality, I've just had my knee replaced - the surgeon apologised that because of Covid he couldn't fit me in for 5 weeks ! I had all xrays etc on the first appointment and spoke to the surgeon straight after with the results and made a plan. My mum on the other hand has just been referred for a new knee (NHS) and her GP warned her it might be a 2 year wait. She's her first appointment in 3 weeks so will know more then.

InteriorDesignHell · 08/05/2021 15:41

Worth also checking out Benenden, as it's not health insurance, but, in cases where the NHS wait is long and you're suffering, they will often do the op or pony up £1k for diagnosis work - I've had an MRI done through them and my Mum and her OH had various ops like carpal tunnel sorted by them. At under £12 a month they can be a suitable option for some.

Mindymomo · 08/05/2021 15:59

We are with AXA PPP and have been for several years, so have an old style policy. My 2 children are now adults, but one has had over £15,000 of private care for a knee injury. When looking to reduce cost of policy, I haven’t found the 6 six option to be a lot cheaper. They do do policies similar to car insurance, whereby if you need to claim, your policy will increase considerably the following year. I agree it’s complicated and if you contact a specialist health insurer consultant, they only push companies that they get most money for.

SunbathingDragon · 08/05/2021 16:06

I have private health care and (sometimes) work for the NHS. It’s definitely worth it if affordable although I agree about PP comments regarding children.

FinallyHere · 08/05/2021 16:28

I have Aviva private health through work.

DH has made very good use of it.

Without the work policy, I would set aside money to cover private procedures as and when I needed them. As PP have pointed out, really serious conditions such as cancer etc are really best dealt with by the NHS while private is brilliant for smaller procedures which can be scheduled when convenient rather than when the hospital has a slot. Sometimes, an initial private consultation is sufficient to point to way toward treatment which can then be fulfilled by the NHS.

Ultimately, the business model for health insurance is like any insurance or even gyms. They make their money by having lots of people who pay snd then don't use the offering. They won't pay out more than they have gathered in.

Blossomtoes · 08/05/2021 16:32

If you have private health insurance, then you will be seen quicker, get a bit longer to chat to the consultant, have your own room, and that's about it

Being seen quicker is nothing to be sniffed at, particularly with the current backlog.

supadupapupascupa · 08/05/2021 16:34

We have a policy through WPA. Very pleased with it. Full family cover for about £160 per month (two adults mid 40s and 2 children)

Jangle33 · 08/05/2021 16:34

Completely disagree with the Id not let my child by operated on privately. Why not?? Much better service (own room etc) and consultants usually all do NHS too.

And cancer care through private also excellent.

shivawn · 08/05/2021 16:38

I have it, I have never had to use it but I see that as a good thing. I work in healthcare and completely believe that there is nothing more important than your health!

DorisFlies · 08/05/2021 17:08

WPA have been really good to me and I like their ethos as well

SwimBaby · 08/05/2021 17:13

I have AXA PPP for my whole family. They were really good with my son’s epilepsy when he was getting a bit lost in the system with the NHS.

MyMessageToYou · 08/05/2021 17:14

Yes. In Ireland most people who can afford it do so. It's an awful system here.

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