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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

If you have private healthcare would you recommend it?

63 replies

sparklins · 04/05/2023 11:47

I'll preface this by saying I am not looking to be bashed for this just hoping to get advice.
Unfortunately I've had some nasty NHS experiences in the past and whilst they are very good in an urgent life or death situations, on a day to day of getting referrals and/or exams and tests to actually get to the bottom of something is a nightmare and my relatives have paid the price with their health.

I've been reviewing our finances and worked out we could potentially afford to pay for a private policy, I like the idea of some who offer yearly health MOTs and similar.
We've had a quote from Vitality who were the first to pop up however the reviews seem less than great so I am back to the drawing board for now.

Does anyone on here have private health insurance and are you happy with it?
And if you are happy with it would you mind recommending the company you are with?

OP posts:

Nordicrain · 04/05/2023 11:50

I have it through work and have been paying for it for years and never really used it (except to see a physio once). For me it's (1) because I am relatively healthy so hasn't really been any major issues to use it for and (2) because it requires GP referral so the bottle neck is still there. Once I've seen the GP and obtained a referral the NHS has always been pretty good where I am. Saying that I still have and pay for it (for my entire family) because in the event something was to happen I would absolutely want another option.

Emotionalstorm · 04/05/2023 11:52

Yes I would recommend it. I can pick a consultant of my choice and I usually see them within a week or two. Making a claim has not been difficult, I just need a referral letter from the GP and they give those out really easily. They have also covered hospital stays, physio and hydrotherapy for me in the past.

I have used Cigna until very recently. I am now with WPA and I have used AXA in the past. I have also always had dental cover.

Jules912 · 04/05/2023 11:52

I have it through work, only used it once as it doesn't cover chronic conditions. Mine does cover pre-existing conditions (subject to the above) but I suspect a policy I bought myself wouldn't.

Emotionalstorm · 04/05/2023 11:53

I should add, my policy does cover chronic conditions.

Mushroo · 04/05/2023 11:54

I get it through work with AXA and it’s brilliant. It includes a private GP service and I can usually get a same day appointment.

For context, I needed a scan. I’m still waiting for the NHS appointment letter to arrive (since Feb).

Privately I’ve seen a GP, consultant, had a blood test, ultrasound and follow up. Privately the whole thing took about 3 weeks.

W0tnow · 04/05/2023 12:00

Yes. It’s incredibly easy to book appointments on the app. Hardly any waiting time. Had a video consult last week Needed bloods. Only got around to booking in yesterday, bloods done now and I’ll have the results on the app shortly.

Zumarocks · 04/05/2023 12:10

@W0tnow sorry to derail but this sounds great, can I ask who you're with? We have The Exeter and have found it quite difficult to use so far

nomorespaghetti · 04/05/2023 12:25

We have it with AXA through DHs work. It’s really good. You get a private video GP service, and they can do the referrals for you, so don’t need to bother our NHS GP.

I’ve used it for a breast lump check - got an appointment for a one stop clinic in days. It was about 5 weeks (on a 2ww referral) for my NHS appointment. I’ve also used it for gynae issues, which included several consultations, ultrasounds, 2 MRIs, hysteroscopy, biopsy…

We’ve used it for a small operation for DS. He had the op privately 18 months ago… last week I got a letter through from the NHS for just the initial consultation!!!

I’ve also used it for counselling. DH for dermatology. Definitely feel like we’re getting our moneys worth!

Endlesssummer2022 · 04/05/2023 12:38

How selfish of you! Read the room!

Only joking, yes I have it through work - BUPA, and it was really handy when I had a foot injury.

W0tnow · 04/05/2023 12:41

Zumarocks · 04/05/2023 12:10

@W0tnow sorry to derail but this sounds great, can I ask who you're with? We have The Exeter and have found it quite difficult to use so far

Sanitas. Spanish but part of global Bupa group iirc. The kids have the app also, with their virtual cards, so you don’t have to remember to take them to each appointment. (The cards, not the kids 😁).

sorrynotathome · 04/05/2023 12:42

Yes, through work. Vitality with GP access through app for referrals. Great thing about it was loads of incentives to adopt healthy lifestyle, including free stuff, cash backs and discounts.

GeraltsBathtub · 04/05/2023 12:45

I have it through work, currently Axa but previously Bupa. It’s pretty good but I’m not sure I’d pay for it. Depending on your issues and the quotes you get I’d probably just pay for any treatment privately instead of insurance.

Georgie8 · 04/05/2023 12:48

Yes -BUPA via work.

As you say, the NHS is great at emergency/acute care, but getting diagnostic tests can be difficult and/or take a long time. You’ll be referred to a consultant (of your choice, if you know who you want to see) within a matter of days.

This is particularly important for issues that aren’t life threatening but affect your quality of life e.g. my husband’s in-grown toenail 😂

Original poster

sparklins · 04/05/2023 12:51

Great to hear some feedback!

@sorrynotathome have you actually had to claim through them? From what I've read so far they seem to be very good and attentive when you are taking out the policy but horrific when you actually need to contact them (long wait times and little access to contact) and claim or use the services you supposedly pay for. The trustpilot reviews are not great.

OP posts:

HousePlantNeglect · 04/05/2023 12:55

I have it through work and have very mixed experiences.

Firstly, as PP mentioned I have to be referred via GP and so still have to go through NHS. I can use Babylon GP but have found that next to useless on all occasions. I always got an appointment very quickly but on all but one occasion they told me to see my regular GP as I needed to be seen face to face. So ultimately took longer.

The one time I did use it for something urgent I needed surgery. I got to see a consultant very quickly but he used an NHS theatre for his private practice and there was no space as it was booked up with NHS patients (absolutely fair enough). So he advised I’d be quicker to go back via NHS. Again, ultimately took me longer.

Ive had health insurance in other countries and the admin/fight to get cover for things has been extremely stressful.

The occasions I have found it useful were for dental and for physio for my back that I may not have got on NHS or the wait might have been longer.

CaveMum · 04/05/2023 12:58

I have Vitality cover through work. I’ve only made 2 claims to date (1 for counselling for anxiety/depression and 1 for new glasses) and both were dealt with really quickly and professionally.

For the counselling request (self referral), I had a call back within 48 hours to assess what I needed and was allocated a counsellor and had a weekly session set up within 5 days. I had 10 sessions and they made a massive difference to me.

The bonuses you get through Vitality are great too - I get free Amazon Prime, an Apple Watch, cinema tickets, coffee etc. I worked out the value of the freebies I get via the policy is about £40 a month.

Happydays321 · 04/05/2023 12:59

I've got bupa not through work and have claimed a couple of times, it was very easy.

DeedlessIndeed · 04/05/2023 13:00

I think it's useful, and I wouldn't want to be without.

However, it's not a Silver Bullet. Sometimes it can be a pain getting the paperwork sorted and you still need a decent NHS GP unless you self fund your GP.

Having said that, I feel much more secure knowing that I won't end up on a NHS ward (have visited some pretty depressing wards)

Malarandras · 04/05/2023 13:04

I am just about to leave Bupa as the claims process was a nightmare. I had treatment nearly a year ago now and I have still only been paid about half of the claim. They are beyond useless and the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with.

There is also still the issue of needing to check your medical history, which if you have moratorium underwriting they do every time you claim. This means your NHS GO filling out a form which took me weeks and cost money to get done. The whole thing is a nightmare and I am glad I am ditching it.

WeWereInParis · 04/05/2023 13:11

We have it with AXA through DHs work. It’s really good. You get a private video GP service, and they can do the referrals for you, so don’t need to bother our NHS GP.

I have the same. The private GP is really good because it’s so easy to get an appointment and then if necessary they just refer straight through AXA.

shivawn · 04/05/2023 13:16

We live in Ireland but we've had private health insurance for years. O nly ever used it once, when my husband started having problems with his hands last year. GP referred him to a Rheumatologist on the public system but she said there was a one year wait so she also referred him privately.

Private rheumatologist saw him that same week diagnosed him with psoriatic arthritis and put him on a great treatment plan which has sorted all symptoms. Health insurance covered 50% of the cost of all his appointments which were €170 a pop.

However, considering we've been paying €2500 a year (husbands employer covers half of this) for health insurance for the last 4 years we've paid out far far more than we're gotten back. We'd be better off if we'd just paid out of pocket for private treatment without having insurance.

Anyway, 9 months after he was diagnosed he got the referral to see a consultant publicly and all his checkup appointments are free on the public healthcare system now.

So, yeah, we have it but I wouldn't say it's been of any benefit so far. I guess it's just something we hope we'll never need but it's there just in case we do. Kind of like a security blanket.

Amboseli · 04/05/2023 13:18

Yes we have it through work with Bupa. Excellent service, can see a consultant within days and choose who you see. Also have a private GP.

SlipperyLizard · 04/05/2023 13:21

I have it through work but wouldn’t pay for an individual policy as the costs (for me) are too high - I would rather “self insure” and pay for private when/if I need it.

In 20+ years of employer cover I’ve had one MRI and 7 sessions of physio on it, which wouldn’t have been good value if I’d paid myself. We’ve paid for DH in the past & he’s had 2 back ops, so from that perspective it was worth it to pay for him.

Bluebells1970 · 04/05/2023 13:25

DH was diagnosed with a cardiac issue just after lockdown and we found going privately didn't help at all as the procedure he needed was only available in NHS hospitals. It jumped the queue seeing the Consultant initially and getting scans done but that was it.

He also had a small surgery done in a Winfield hospital and due to the cardiac issue, they had issues with the anaesthetic and he was transferred from the operating table to NHS A & E due to complications. So we haven't really gained from anything and have now chosen to pay as we go rather than have a policy with anyone.

LucyCC · 04/05/2023 13:57

Like PP’s, I have it through work with Axa. I’ve used it once and found it really fast & straightforward (I got referred to an ENT consultant so nothing to be deemed a critical emergency) and they picked up the cost without fuss. I have DD covered on my insurance so the GP video consultations are one less thing to worry about vs the bun fight that is getting an NHS GP appt for those random childhood ailments.

My friend recently used hers after having a heart attack caused by a malfunctioning valve and had treatment, tests, a diagnosis and, finally, surgery to repair the valve, all within 4 weeks of the initial heart attack happening.

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