Benenden health care

moggiek · 2013-05-28T17:05:40+00:00

Just seen an ad for this company, claiming cover for £7.80 per month! Given that I currently pay Bupa £67, I'm sceptical. Does anyone have any experience of this company?

Fairydogmother · 28/05/2013 18:09

Yip it's for public servants and is a mutual society i think. it covers the cost of your first appt with a consultant but its not private health insurance like bupa. Think you can add on extras with best health insurers tho after you take out benenden.

Original poster

moggiek · 28/05/2013 19:03

Thanks, Fairy. I like the idea of it being a mutual.

OP posts:

BurningBridges · 28/05/2013 22:44

We have that; in recent years they have paid for me to have private colonoscopy and an MRI for DD; you get the cost of one investigative treatment and a follow up interview with the consultant - so around £1,500 for something like an MRI. Its been really helpful for us. However, we did also use their hospital for an endoscopy, the one in Kent as we are about an hour away, and had a bad experience - incidentally so did my neighbour, so although I would recommend the cheap access to private healthcare, I'd have it done locally in future.

orderinformation · 28/05/2013 23:19

I have it through my dad's work even though I am in my 30s. I had post birth hand problems and they paid £300 towards Physio which bought me 8 sessions. But I also had a terrible experience at the hospital in Kent when I went to see the consultant about the same problem. He was rude and unhelpful and didn't listen and I ended up making a for al complaint about him after I was left in tears. In fact I burst into tears as I left the room and the ever so nice nurse who had been in the room took me aside and gave me tissues and told me he is a bastard to everyone and the sister I complained to also very nice. But I would never ever go there again even if he is a rogue doctor.

Ogdenjojo · 29/05/2013 10:20

Hi

I started work for benenden health last year. Based in York, I am a mum of two girls (4 and 3) and I'll be honest they are good. I hadn't heard of them before I joined as they were historically only available to civil servants and public sector but now available to all since Jan. They are a mutual and its a flat £7.80 per person per month. We have 20 private regional treatment centres all around the UK and you can choose whicn one you want to go to (provided they cover the treatment there). Benenden have excellent paediatric facilities so I signed us all up straight away as we cannot afford private healthcare. Not trying to sell as its up to you but I would advise taking a look at how we work and the benefits it can give you and your family. Peace of mind is really key for me and knowing I can request access to direct services, diagnosis and treatment for all types of conditions and issues for such a low price is a real benefit to me. There is no catch on the price as as mutual all money gets invested back into the services delivered back to its members.
Honestly take a look, its a great option.
www.benenden.co.uk/healthcare-membership/personal-health-care/

Ogdenjojo · 29/05/2013 11:04

Hi

I started work for benenden health last year. Based in York, I am a mum of two girls (4 and 3) and I'll be honest they are good. I hadn't heard of them before I joined as they were historically only available to civil servants and public sector but now available to all since Jan. They are a mutual and its a flat £7.80 per person per month. We have 20 private regional treatment centres all around the UK and you can choose whicn one you want to go to (provided they cover the treatment there). Benenden have excellent paediatric facilities so I signed us all up straight away as we cannot afford private healthcare. Not trying to sell as its up to you but I would advise taking a look at how we work and the benefits it can give you and your family. Peace of mind is really key for me and knowing I can request access to direct services, diagnosis and treatment for all types of conditions and issues for such a low price is a real benefit to me. There is no catch on the price as as mutual all money gets invested back into the services delivered back to its members.
Honestly take a look, its a great option.
www.benenden.co.uk/healthcare-membership/personal-health-care/

Ogdenjojo · 29/05/2013 11:04

Hi

I started work for benenden health last year. Based in York, I am a mum of two girls (4 and 3) and I'll be honest they are good. I hadn't heard of them before I joined as they were historically only available to civil servants and public sector but now available to all since Jan. They are a mutual and its a flat £7.80 per person per month. We have 20 private regional treatment centres all around the UK and you can choose whicn one you want to go to (provided they cover the treatment there). Benenden have excellent paediatric facilities so I signed us all up straight away as we cannot afford private healthcare. Not trying to sell as its up to you but I would advise taking a look at how we work and the benefits it can give you and your family. Peace of mind is really key for me and knowing I can request access to direct services, diagnosis and treatment for all types of conditions and issues for such a low price is a real benefit to me. There is no catch on the price as as mutual all money gets invested back into the services delivered back to its members.
Honestly take a look, its a great option.
www.benenden.co.uk/healthcare-membership/personal-health-care/

Ogdenjojo · 29/05/2013 11:05

Looks like my post posted three times. Sorrry about that.

Carrie5608 · 19/02/2015 11:25

I know this is a Zombie thread but Beneden used to be really good however recently they have began to 'deny, deny, deny' even when they had authorised payment in advance.
I have been with them for over ten years and have very rarely needed them but recently they have rejected claims for a consultant they paid for in the past. It seems to be they deny first and then pay after you fight with them. Very stressful when you are already ill.

Dookla · 08/05/2015 15:39

We have been members of Benenden for over 20 years. Recently my wife suspected she may have cancer. We could not get a guaranteed maximum two week wait for an NHS appointment so we went private for appointments and blood tests. Benenden completely refused to help us and have used a catalogue of excuses to avoid doing so. They are keen to take your money but were absent in our hour of need. These people should be avoided at all costs.

Dookla · 08/05/2015 15:41

Our recent experience was similar to yours. Members for over 20 years yet when we needed them, they completely refused to help. Avoid these people at all costs

painting2014 · 08/05/2015 15:53

I will be eternally grateful to Benenden for what they were able to offer me.

In 2010 I had a very poor NHS experience which left me waiting indefinitely in significant pain for a follow up consultant appointment with an appropriate specialist let alone the actual surgery I needed.

I had surgery for severe endometriosis and ovarian cysts at Benenden Hospital in Kent following which I was able to conceive despite my chances being very low.

The care at the hospital was fantastic.

Additionally we now have a Benenden health cash plan and have found that to be very useful for optical/dental/acupuncture costs.

Mireilleclaire · 04/08/2015 12:32

Hi. To the mum who had the bad experience with the rude consultant. I know it was a long time ago but do you remember his name? I have a similar situation.

LillyLeg · 24/04/2016 12:20

Its discretionary so basically you pay your money and phone to see if they can help. There are no hard and fast rules so they can.say no. They can.only pay to be diagnosed, no operations. And they dont deal with cancer. Its all very hit and.miss depending on who you speak to. They can be very condescending too.

kmckenna477 · 14/08/2016 23:07

Have had a great experience with Benenden. They paid for consultation, ultrasound and endoscopy and colonoscopy all without a quibble. Delighted with them.

MyBeloved · 15/08/2016 16:33

Is this different to HSA?

Sizzi · 04/01/2019 23:30

I’ve spent the afternoon at benenden today for a pre assessment for shoulder op at the end of month. I have been a member for over 20 years when I first started out on my fathers membership. Everything was plain sailing up until meeting the anesthetist. He discriminated in such a way, much chin literally hit the floor. I’m 43 and overweight, bmi of 32 but exercise daily so fit. He punched my weight into a computer it it came back with high risk of sleep apnea. He asked me if I had it to which I replied no!!!! Very shocked to even be asked this as I’ve NEVER experienced it. With that, he would not listen to me saying no and proceeded to say I could not have the op and woukd have to go NHS as I have sleep apnea..........which I DO NOT have. I am not prepared to let this go as I’ve been clearly discriminated against as I’m overweight. If they won’t operate on the overweight, then instead of taking us fat peoples money , tell us in the first place!!!!!!!!! I’m gutted beyond belief ..... I’ve made arrangements for work, hone help and a live in Carer for my disabled daughter. I can’t speak to consultant who’s really kind btw till next week but I will be asking for a second opinion from a competent anesthetist, if I get nowhere, I will be demanding 20 years worth of payments back or I WILL seek legal action against benenden for discrimination.