Private healthcare - am I doing the right thing?

[RedPandaFluff]

Today is the last day of my cooling-off period for a Vitality health policy I took out two weeks ago. It covers me, DH and DD (almost 9 months old) for £140 a month. This is a lot, but we can afford it, if we sacrifice a couple of luxuries (a couple of takeaways, I'll stop hitting "Buy Now" quite so hastily on Amazon etc.)

Am I doing the right thing by continuing this policy? A couple of things I'm worried about are how high the premiums can get (there's nothing to stop them increasing these each year, although I guess I can just cancel if it gets really excessive) and whether the £1600+ I'm spending on this every year would be better put in our savings pot.

Any opinions or advice would be appreciated!

I have a similar policy and have drawn on it twice in the past 6 months. Both times I was fairly desperate and in quite a state, so I was incredibly grateful to be able to draw on private healthcare. I had a dental abcess that needed hospital treatment - I don't know what I would have done had I not been able to access private treatment because at the time, the NHS weren't treating patients with my condition.

I would never have private healthcare because much like education, I don't believe you should be able to pay to jump the queue.
You should not be able to receive treatment more quickly than someone else because you have more money. How on earth is that ok? I find the whole idea abhorrent.

@paintmegood it's not quite that simple, though, is it? Principles and ideals are all very well - laudable, noble etc. However - I have less money than many people, but I choose to spend my disposable income on health insurance rather than meals out or other luxuries.

It's not necessarily about people with the most money getting their treatment first. It's about people making conscious choices to protect their family's health as a priority over other non-essential expenses, given the harsh reality that our NHS is struggling.

It's not about queue-jumping either. My having private treatment will not result in someone else's treatment being delayed.

In an ideal world, we'd all receive timely, comprehensive healthcare. And I'd LOVE to keep my monthly £140 premium and spend it on something else. But we're so far from living in an ideal world. Similar could be said about pensions - is it a better/smarter choice to save and plan for retirement, or not to do so, because the government SHOULD look after us if we've worked all our lives?

[quote RedPandaFluff]@paintmegood it's not quite that simple, though, is it? Principles and ideals are all very well - laudable, noble etc. However - I have less money than many people, but I choose to spend my disposable income on health insurance rather than meals out or other luxuries.

It's not necessarily about people with the most money getting their treatment first. It's about people making conscious choices to protect their family's health as a priority over other non-essential expenses, given the harsh reality that our NHS is struggling.

It's not about queue-jumping either. My having private treatment will not result in someone else's treatment being delayed.

In an ideal world, we'd all receive timely, comprehensive healthcare. And I'd LOVE to keep my monthly £140 premium and spend it on something else. But we're so far from living in an ideal world. Similar could be said about pensions - is it a better/smarter choice to save and plan for retirement, or not to do so, because the government SHOULD look after us if we've worked all our lives? [/quote]
I tend to live by my principles and values otherwise they are absolutely pointless.

I would like to see all these people who decide to opt out of state healthcare and state education spend their time and money trying to support and improve these institutions rather than take their money and their influence elsewhere and buy advantage.

You do what you want obviously but I'll continue to live what I believe and value the NHS where I've been treated with care and respect.

@paintmegood we all live by our values and principles. One of mine is to look after my family. And if a failing institution - that is on its knees, according to the medical professionals in my family and friendship circle - can't do it, then I will.

If I could pay my monthly £140 into a pot every month that directly supports the NHS, then I would. However, I pay much, much more of that in tax, a proportion of which goes to the NHS, and it's still crumbling.

@paintmegood - I'm curious to know what you're doing about supporting and improving the NHS? I'm hoping it's a lot, given that you're keen to depend on it . . .

I don't believe you should be able to pay to jump the queue

There wasn't much of a queue for dental abcess treatment in the NHS during Covid - it wasn't treatable. I was desperate. I pity the poor buggers who couldn't get their treatment.

@paintmegood But someone using a private facility is taking pressure OFF the NHS and leaving beds clear for NHS patients!
Unless your own principles are going to change an existing system, I don't see the point in denying yourself or your family treatment that could actually save their lives. Your decision not to use private medicine is not going to make one jot of difference.

@RedPandaFluff Your thread has moved on quite a bit . One point I'd say think about is that once you have a diagnosis for something, a new policy will exclude that condition for up to 5 years (some say 2 if you have not had ongoing treatment or anything.) So, the older you are, and the more likely you have 'something' the less it would be covered. Often it's the initial diagnosis that is of benefit, if it can be had quickly.

Some conditions while not life threatening can have knock on effects. eg My DP had arthritic big toes that were incredibly painful and he was limping, unable to walk far or run. (It's a family inherited thing.) His GP suggested pain killers/ NSAID only (now known to have serious side effects long term.) The wait on the NHS (and GP didn't think it was 'bad enough' ) was months/ years and meanwhile DP would be unable to exercise or walk much.
He had an op within weeks, privately and was back running after 3 weeks.

I have private healthcare through work and being seen quickly has helped my health anxiety. ESP when one issue seemed very serious.
I had a breast check last week. My GP made me an nhs app by mistake when I told her I would go private. If I could have got to the private hospital they could have seen me that evening. I ended up with an app a week away. The nhs app came through which was two weeks. I left a message to cancel the nhs app. The nurse rang me close to the app and said are you ok to definitely cancel and have you been checked elsewhere. She had another lady who was very anxious needing that app and was very happy she could take it.

This is something I’m debating with myself at the moment. I had cover through work and rolled it across to retirement.

@JinglingHellsBells
You’ve made some very interesting points.
Would you mind saying who your insurer is? I’m in your age group and I think you’ve got yourself a bargain there!

Yes, I'm looking into it right now.

The point is- the NHS isnt what it used to be, its chronically underfunded and ive seen so many misdiagnoses recently- three of which have resulted in death that could have been avoided. I'm absolutely going private now. I love the NHS but I'm not willing to wait 6-8 weeks for a scan or procedure that I could have within days to diagnose/fix the issue. Not to mention the toll it takes on your mental health having to wait that long- its fcking torturous.

I’ve recently taken out a private policy with BUPA for me, DH and the 2 DC. For £120 a month. It covers full cancer care and all the rest.

Pre-existing conditions (reported within the last 5 years) are excluded for the first 2 years, which is fair enough. Luckily (apart from me!) the rest of my clan are healthy as anything.

I just didn’t feel comfortable with the way the NHS is going and didn’t want to have to wait for tests it was needed. Plus they have the online GP service which I have no doubt will save me time and convenience in the long run.

@Valwillgo I'll PM you if you receive messages? It's a mainstream one. Was covered for years under DHs' work policy then took it out for myself as an individual.