To ask if you have private health insurance?

[CherryValley5]

Do you have it? Would you get it?

Having just received DD’s (eye watering) PHI renewal it struck me that 10 years ago it would not have even entered my mind to insure a teenager, nowadays it would feel like borderline neglect if I cancelled her policy and instead made her sit on endless NHS waiting lists. I am insured too through work and would never take another job that didn’t offer it. Just sitting here in disbelief that something I would’ve called a luxury not too long ago now feels like an essential for quality of life. It’s so depressing!

We have it with our jobs

I have just been referred to a specialist….not under the 2 week cancer targets…..my appointment is 3 weeks to the date of my gp appointment and referral…..I will be seen at our local private hospital ( which has a contract with the nhs) …..what more would I have got for my money privately ?

Yes and there's a lot of things I would cut before I would go without it.

I appear to have bad genetics on both sides of my family.

You are very fortunate to live in a part of the UK with low waiting lists then. Where we are 3 weeks would be miraculous, 3 years would be more accurate (if not under 2 week wait) and even then that target is missed more often than not..

Fully taxable but with aged parents with issues, I'll be signing up for the highest possible level of cover funds permitting! Dad has been waiting for months for apts and finally called his insurers in desperation to be whisked in and given every test under the sun, a multifunctional team consulting with each other and has left after two weeks with his worst fears removed, a new set of challenges but a way forward.

Mum had great care with the big C but it was really evident when there were multiple issues that the cross co~ordination aspect left a lot to be improved.

i have it via work but DH now retired and just too expensive to get cover as you get older and have to pay non-company negotiated premiums. For a decent level
of cover we would be looking at £6k/annum and even then some of our previous medical issues not covered. So far we have ‘saved’ 5 years of premiums so that’s £30k that would fund private care if needed (or a holiday if we stay fit!). One thing that concerns me is that I have definitely experienced (twice!) unnecessary procedures as it’s being done privately. Private does not always gurantee you will get the best possible care, but agree it’s a nice to have as a back up.

Maybe I am lucky then….I have had cancer ….I was seen within the 2 weeks….had my biopsy results in 10 days and my surgery 9 days later at a private hospital ( on an nhs list)…..as I said I live in the NW ….on my doorstep is not only Alder Hey Hospital, but also many other specialist hospitals …..Liverpool Women’s, Broadgreen heart and chest, Wrightington orthopaedic, Clatterbridge cancer hospitals, Liverpool Dental Hostpail, St Paul’s Eye Hosptial and the marvellous Walton neurological hospital which is a European centre of excellence …my Dd is treated here and nothing is too much trouble…..hand on heart I can honestly say that none of us in my family have ever has issues with appointments and treatment times

I have a group policy through work for free (ie no cost to me).

I've used it for physio and a couple of consultants appointments for minor issues.

I also get a yearly full medical and access to a private GP service for free.

Yes. I got it through work years ago as DH needed minor facial reconstruction and it’s been invaluable after DS came along. We’ve used the full limits every year for the past 4-5 years.

Yes we have it through DH's work, though he has to pay for me and the dcs . Not exactly sure how much but it's tax efficient. We've barely used the health insurance but we use the dental cover regularly. We are quite lucky as waiting lists aren't too long here, and we've had some treatment that was just NHS and we didn't bother using the private healthcare as the waiting time seemed fine.

Apparently the cover is excellent and includes preexisting conditions, so I am considering trying to get therapy on it as I've had longstanding MH issues but I've found NHS therapy appalling in the past.

Yes we have it through work. But thinking of starting our own plans so that if we leave our jobs with any health issues they won't be excluded as pre-existing conditions. Still looking into it

I wouldn't be without it as PP have said in this environment. Husband has had minor issues which while not life threatening was impacting QoL. Consultant appointment was given 1.5 years later.
By which time he'd already completed treatment privately and was much improved.

Yes with Bupa and we pay for it - that is, it's not a company perk or anything!

We pay £188 a month for me and my husband and that's for the absolute top cover for everything and top choice of hospitals

We have it through DHs work. When we first joined it just a nice to have.

Then life happens when you don't expect it and it has been a godsend.

Are you insinuating that parents who do not buy private medical insurance do not care about their children enough?

yes through work and I pay extra for DD. Its been an absolute godsend for both of us

Yes through work, I wouldn’t work for a company that didnt offer it. We pay £30 a month for family cover

It’s because the Tories have run the NHS into the ground to encourage more and more people to use private. Hopefully Labour will invest properly in the NHS.

No. You and I both know that isn’t the case. Everyone has a different financial situation, local NHS waiting lists, personal health problems etc. It’s not one size fits all. In our situation though, yes, I would count taking away something that I am capable of paying for which allows my DD to have a better quality of life as cruel.

I have private health care from work. To pay extra for DC and DP is expensive. I can't stop. We don't know when we'll need it.

As an aside DD was in hospital in Feb with follow up NHS appointment end of August. In between we've had private bloods, ECG, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and now an MRI. Still don't know what the issue is but ruled outs lots whilst waiting.

I wouldn't be without PMI.

Yes - very lucky. We have fantastic, world class clinicians practically on our doorstep but unfortunately a lack of funding, lack of staff + overloaded system means that they cannot provide the best standard of care, waiting time or facilities.

We had to travel to London for DD to have treatment at a very specialised NHS hospital (can’t name as it would be outing) and it was like night and day compared to our hospitals at home. So calm, organised and brand new facilities.

Yes through work, for all of us

dh had phi through work. When he was ill, I accessed it, when he died I was allowed to use it again. TBH it saved my life. I can’t afford it nor do I get it through my work, as my grade is ineligible to join. But I would if I could. I payg for private health care instead.

Agree, it's part of our basic needs in our expenses.

Just of the recent:

Dh has a serious health condition, his private specialist picked up a possible heart issue that would be serious if not investigated but need to be confirmed by a specific scan. Gave us a referral for nhs who gave us a 6month minimum waiting time.
Went back to a specialist private Cardiac unit and got the scan, condition diagnosed, treatment and medical plan in 10 days. All covered.

Ds needed dental work (urgent), nhs waiting times 3-6 months. Got it all done and 90% covered privately in a week.

I picked up an infection recently. From calling my gp to having the prescription medication in hand it was 1.5 hours.

I think it's an essential now.

Yes I have mine via work. DC are added to DH’s via his work.

No I don't and nor do any of my immediate family

Thankfully I have got to 49 without needing it and DC are young adults now

None of us have ever had any serious illnesses

I would consider paying privately if medical treatment was needed and the NHS wasn't providing the necessary options but I would rather deal with that situation if it arises rather than paying a monthly premium for something I may never need