To consider Private Medical Cover

[needabreak5]

Given the concerns re NHS. My employer offers BUPA cover for me and family at a cost of approximately £160 per month. I would probably need to cut back to afford, maybe cancel gym membership and perhaps life cover. Would you do this? I’m worried about long waits and poor outcomes if any of us were to need any NHS treatment/diagnosis etc?

I've just take it out with Bupa this week. It's just me, late 40s, no health issues, just over £50 a month. I can't afford it comfortably, but there are things that aren't essential that I can cut. I think health is the single most important thing in life, and the thought of being left in pain for months or even years by the NHS was nagging at me. Shouldn't have to, have paid into the system for three decades, but I don't trust it to deliver if I need it.

Myself and husband pay £83 a month with Avila, £1000 excess. We are early 60's and pretty healthy. We treat it for what it is, insurance. We haven't made a claim so far ( 4 or 5 years) and are happy with the cost even if we never need to claim (a bit like buildings insurance, you hope you never need it). We will probably only claim if one gets cancer, drugs not approved by NICE etc, and confidence of getting the quickest care, or a joint replacement to not have to wait for a painful condition.

Aviva I meant. Obviously pre existing conditions are not covered so we started health insurance mid 50's as no point waiting until we have a diagnosis which wouldn't be covered. Husband worked in the NHS until two years ago when he retired. Money well spent if you can afford it without major impact on quality of life in our view.

£83 covers both of us not £83 each!!!!!!

I didn't use mine for 16 years until I got cancer and being able to have treatment privately and great access to the consultant was brilliant. I had it through work but now pay for it myself and my whole family, costs us £170 a month and hope we will never have to use it again but very glad we have it.

Mine no longer covers the sort of cancer I had but does cover every other sort of cancer. I wouldn't cancel life insurance.

I have private medical for 2 older teens, me and DH for £94/ month. Vitality. It’s a higher level of cover.
So worth it!
Have used it for diagnosis of a medical condition for DC17 that GPs were ignoring.
I had ovarian cysts diagnosed that I saw my GP about over 2 years ago and still haven’t received a referral.
Private health saved my DBs life after GP said he didn’t have cancer (despite not sending him for any investigations) but he did and was treated with weeks.

I'd say yes. I truly believe the cancer cover through my job saved my husband's life.

Vitality have been endlessly unimpressive for us recently. A real let down

I gave up a few things to afford mine and I can tell you I didn’t miss them when I was diagnosed with a quite scary illness.

You may never need it, but I did and my god being able to be seen so quickly and knowing what it was within a month was worth every single penny.

I know I would have been probably undiagnosed for months with the NHS and possibly died with a 3 year old. She’s 6 tomorrow, it’s worth it.

I am told Aviva are very good for cancer care. Also they paid out a small fortune on my mother's care insurance when she developed dementia without any delay or jumping through hoops

The thing about insurance is that the best outcome you can hope for is that it is a total waste of money

that makes it hard to make rational decisions about it

Yeah, I hope I never have to use it but it gives me peace of mind