private health insurance

[Silverbook]

AIBU to consider taking out private health insurance? I'm increasingly worried about relying on the NHS...

For the first time, I'm considering private health insurance and would be interested in hearing the experiences of other people who have used it- either patients or doctors/medics. Do you think it's something worth having?

Benenden is affordable, and speeds up diagnosis but many treatments/surgeries aren't covered. You get access to a GP advice phone line, mental health support, physiotherapy. Overall I think it's worth it

I’ve got it as a taxable benefit through work, I’m near 60 and have never used it once (touch wood), the odd occasion I’ve explored the possibility of using it, it didn’t seem to cover whatever I was looking for. Unless I was getting it as a perk, I wouldn’t bother.

I took out benedan health, pretty good, only another five payments until diagnostics 🤞 they accept pre diagnosed conditions, whereas a work one won’t.

I also interviewed at a small private hospital who corrected me and said we take on the nhs work from local trusts in East Anglia so again really quite hopeful. (never needed to know this three years ago) but the hospital was so different from nhs.

I can highly recommend health insurance, I have used my policy a number of times over the last few years for minor appointments but appointments I would have never gotten going through the NHS, my policy is surprising cheap for my entire family and as we have our policy reviewed each year by our broker we have managed to reduce the costs even further. Previously to using a broker I honestly couldn’t get my head around all the complexities of each policy and whether I was paying the correct amount of money for the cover, or even what level of cover I needed in the first place, I can highly recommend them, they even help you with claims, and as mentioned will review it each year to make sure you are paying the correct amount.
https://www.myhealthprotected.co.uk/

I’ve had it through work and used it lots over a 20 year period.

This year though I needed to use if for the first time in about 5 year. I had to wait 2 weeks for a consultant appointment, then another 4 weeks for an MRI and 6 weeks from seeing consultant for an endoscopy, then 2 weeks for the follow up appointment with consultant

I’ve never had such long delays before and think it may be because so many people are going private due to NHS waiting lists so even private hospitals are struggling to cope.

Who knows how long it would all have taken on NHS mind you!

We have it through work, also WeCare through life insurance. The kids and I can speak to a private GP within the hour (usually), and a private prescription is shipped to the house. So yes - deffo worth it!! Just helps you crack on with life. Less worries.

Vitality- £200 for 5 of us, one of us uses it once a month at least

Do it. I have one through work but if I didn't I'd pay for it definitely.

We have it through husbands work. I think it's great although our plan only gives 2 free consultations a year but free treatment. Even so, it has been brilliant in being treated earlier, so very glad we have it. I will definitely look to continue cover even when he retires

I’ve used my work PMI a few times over the years and it’s been very helpful. After an abysmal time with the NHS recently I’m paying to sign the kids up too - I just don’t trust it to be there if we need help.

I have private health insurance (I live in Greece) since I needed it to get my residency permit, although I believe AMKA can be OK as well, depending on what you need it for. That is local insurance. I haven’t had to use the private insurance much, but I only pay €10 per appointment at a private clinic and can usually get appointments quite quickly.

i’ve never used private insurance in the UK though, but it would be interesting to have known how useful it would have been for appointments at Moorfield‘s private clinic etc. I don’t know if it would’ve covered things like that

they accept pre diagnosed conditions, whereas a work one won’t.

I can't imagine why you think this can possibly be true in all cases @Spinewars23

I have Vitality health insurance and just added my 4yr old daughter this year because of the NHS issues - even though care for children is often very good especially under 5s - secondary care is getting worse for all ages - children on waiting lists for cancer diagnosis etc

I have used it a few times, once for urgent surgery, high priority NHS was 3 month wait but I was done in 10 days. I have access to a private GP, appointments available every day. And I also used it recently for cardiology investigations.

I only pay the excess, and the coverage is superb.

They also have the rewards programme which is about your excercise and fitness day to day, you collect points to be awarded additional benefits like cinema tickets, discounts, and other help and support. Most of the others don't have this.

So I would recommend if you can afford it - in a crisis there is no better peace of mind that you will be looked after quickly and to a high standard.

My carer hurt his back, he saw the GP and had an MRI the same week.

OP

If you do 'go private' check the hospital carefully. Some are fabulous some not so much.

I worked at one of the better ones so you were treated by the consultant of choice, but over night the only Drs on the premises were obstetricians.

There is nothing wrong with that but if you are having a heart attack they might not be the most appropriate person.

Also they do not have to have 24 hour nursing staff.

Private hospitals that take NHS patients have to have the same staffing levels as NHS hospitals.

I honestly believe if you are going private you are best served in a private ward in an NHS hospital.

Theres pretty much no private work in NHS hospitals at present as it isn't allowed with the backlogs...we've been desperately trying as my nan is is in total agony can't walk from needing a new hip she's been waiting 2yrs which at 90yo is ruining her time left. But too high risk to be done in a private hosp

Tbh private has its place but I wouldn't have surgery beyond varicose veins and such in one

Have used private insurance for years - had investigations and minor ops. Really good if you’re worried and want quick tests.
i even took teen DS to GP recently who recommended going private as nhs would be too long a wait. It’s crazy!
if you can afford it, do it.
I would advise getting a broker though as it can be complicated to navigate.

@sashh but surely in a heart attack situation you are going to A and E and not getting appointments through private - there is no urgent care provided through private right now but I suspect it will come.

Private Insurers do make it clear where and how your care can be provided so you can research that when you look at the companies.

Hospital beds are full, including the private ones.

The most likely provision of care of the future in my view is primary and tertiary moving to private facilities with social, research and specialist remaining with some form of government funded provision. But not a National Health Service as it stands today. the NHS themselves are outsourcing to private facilities already.

There are A&E wards in some private hospitals, probably mainly London as it has so many wealthy foreigners living there.

I've had it through work for many years and for my peace of mind I wouldn't be without it. But it's not a one stop solution to all health problems and you'll still have to rely on the NHS for emergency care and management of chronic conditions, at the very least.

There are private A&E/ER provisions in some areas. I also think this is an area that will expand. Some private health coverage also covers the cost of private ambulance as well.

Haven’t had to use the latter but when I needed treatment for an animal bite I went to a&e and was seen immediately. I left twenty minutes later with a cleaned and dressed wound and a prescription for antibiotics. If available to you I would certainly recommend it.

It depends on your existing conditions really. I wish I'd got it at 18 before everything went wrong.

I wouldn't be without it to be honest. I work in the protection/insurance industry and see the value of it every day.

I would recommend having a chat with a broker who will assess your wants and needs vs price,

I do agree that private hospitals are busier now with either over spill from NHS provisions or people using their insurance to go private so where you may have been seen within a few days it may now be the next week or so in some cases

However it's good to have, I use mine for GP appointments via the app instead of my own GP and both DH and I have had surgery using it also

As a broker and Ex- NHS staff member I think it's well worth the cost. I wouldn't recommend Benedon unless you are extremely stretched budget wise as its very much a "cash plan" and once you have gone over their limit the cost falls on to you or you have to return to the NHS.

You can have personal policies of business policy. You can even get child only policies!