Benenden Health cover worth it or waste of money?

[behappy1736]

I'm considering paying £11.90 a month for my family of 3, for Benenden Health care plan. I cannot justify the £££££s on private medical insurance and it looks like benenden is a (almost too good to be true) mid way option.
I would use it as a 'back up' to the NHS ie if the wait times are past 3 weeks then benenden will cover you upto £1,800 to go private. They don't cover everything etc.
Has anyone got this and can tell me if it's worth it or am I wasting my money?
Thank you

I've tried to get my head round Benenden but it doesn't make sense to me.

Benenden is great - my mum used it to get her cataracts done privately.

We've had it for years - from back when it was a civil service scheme.
In the past we've put in 2 claims both of which were approved, but neither of which we actually claimed on as the NHS came up trumps within the timescale.
(Doubt that would be the case now though!) One claim was for gall bladder removal - which would have been carried out at one of their approved private hospitals which was 70 miles away, the other was for psychological therapy.
I always keep in mind the 24/7 GP phone line, which given the current state of NHS GP services and 111, might come in handy at some point soon.

As you say, there is a lot it doesn't cover but we think it's a worthwhile back up plan for us - especially as we're not getting any younger.

Another one with Benenden for years - and as our children became adults they have it for their partners and all the grandchildren. It has been really worth it - access to other things like GP run helpline call back, physio and we are careful to respect the parameters that it is a top up to NHS. It also doesn't cover everything so have a look at the exclusions , and you can only have one thing at a time eg if you are being investigated for a gynae problem and want physio you can't have both. But v well worth it as a backup now given the poorly NHS. I would thoroughly recommend it.

I really cannot get my head round it. It says it is discretionary in its payouts which I don’t like.

I’ve had it for years, two claims for sinus surgery fully paid, two of the same surgery on nhs. I need surgery again but the relatively new cap of £1800 towards a surgery which costs twice that means I’ll have to wait for the nhs. Fingers crossed it’s this year.

Our family have been members for 25 years, would recommend to others.

My mums had loads done on it. Knee op foot op plus scans and X-rays. Never had an issue claiming either.

My understanding is the 1800 is not for operations but for investigations /diagnostic service. You can have a wide range of operations at their hospital in Kent. I have in the past been funded for consultant opinion and follow up, and other members of the family have had operations But they don't cover everything eg not hip replacements

@Iwouldliketogovegan thank you, looks like I may have misunderstood the limit. I’m seeing ENT next week (GP has pushed for urgent appointment) so I’ll see what the waiting list is like and might look again at Benenden.

@caramac04 you need to be a member of the scheme for a period of time enforce you can access diagnostic and hospital benefits - I think GP line is available from the start. I think this is common to any insurance or mutual scheme so do check the advice on the website or call them up - the people on the phone are very helpful.

@Iwouldliketogovegan I’ve been a member since about 2009 and have had surgery twice through Benenden but thought the limit was new. Fingers crossed I get on a list soon.

Is surgery only in Kent?

@CoffeeBoy No there are hospitals all over the country. I’ve been to Birmingham and Nottingham but there are quite a few others.

Recommend it. Since the Autumn have had an ultrasound, MRI and referral to a consultant. On NHS would still be waiting for the ultrasound.

I'd recommend it. I've been a member since I joined the civil service.

I like the price, and how it doesn't change with age. Like the idea could afford this all my life hopefully.

Sorry hope that didn't come across wrong, I mean we are low income, I am on PIP and think of this cover the same as I do my prescription pre-payment certificate.

Also it is really good that it doesn't seem to exclude existing conditions. They seem really helpful as well. For example if you say the waiting lists are long they don't make a fuss and ask for proof or anything. They just say Oh dear, let's see if we can help you get seen quicker then.

Then when you get a GP referral (which the GP have been happy to do and email to me) they just seem to authorise it right then and chat with you about where you want to go / see locally.

For my ultrasound it was going to be 16 weeks with the NHS. Benenden authorised it on the Friday and the local private hospital could fit me in on the Monday. Ultra fast and reassuring when you are investigating unknown pain.

Then the GP could discuss it with me after I got my blood tests. It was fasted than actually doing the blood tests as that was with the GP and they were quite busy.

I have had some serious health problems in the past and know the NHS are not fast at times with diagnosis / anything not considered under the 2WW pathway (which is very good apparently)

I like Benenden because is sort of works with the NHS when the NHS is slow and that can speed up the whole process. But you don't get treatment for things like heart disease or cancer.

I had surgery in the past with it too- varicose veins laser surgery which the NHS wouldn't do. It has made a real difference to my life.

Do private prescriptions from the gp service end up being pricey?

I don't know as still use my GP for prescriptions. I wonder if would be covered with a pre-payment certificate.

Recently used the GP service and for 2 items on private prescription is was just over £20 so only a couple of £‘s more then the NHS. The pharmacist told me the cost a lot is brand names so if non branded it might actually be cheaper!

I wonder how they manage to keep it at such a cheap price? Grateful they can, we are a low income family and I am on PIP so I use that to fund it.

I know they don't cover things like treatment for heart disease and cancer, and big surgeries etc but still.

yes exactly - never seemed to be covered and where does £1,800 go
scans are £1,000

It's £2500

I have had it for a few years, i’ve had dental treatment paid, new specs and at the moment im having physio. They are a non profit making company.