Health insurance - worth it?

[Autumncoming]

With the horror stories about wait times and stretched services am thinking about getting health insurance. Something I never thought I'd do but the NHS doesn't feel like the trusty service you knew would be there to look after you any more :(
Can anyone tell me their experiences with private health insurance, is it worth it?
And if so, which one?

We are with AXA and have been for over 25 years since FIL was diagnosed with bowel cancer and we saw what he went through having his operation and subsequent procedures privately, we started then. We are a family of 2 adults and DC were 1 and 4 years old then. We are in our 60’s and DC are adults now. In April 2020 DH had a mild heart attack and needed a triple heart bypass, private hospitals were handed over to the NHS at the time and it was a struggle getting him a place. His operation and time spent in hospital cost over £25,000. We pay over £5,000 per year now and only have inpatient cover, so consultants fees and outpatient costs are not covered. Over the years my DS has had 3 knee operations, DH eye operation and knee operation. There are lots of policies around, so you have to do a lot of reading. There are health care specialist companies that will help, but are usually on a commission basis so will try and sell you a particular policy, but they are good at advising what type will suit you and you don’t have to use the ones recommended.

Highly recommended. The NHS lot will be along in a bit to tell you how rubbish it is etc but its really not. It doesn't start with just the fact you get a private room and your own bathroom but you get fast access to treatment, get to see your consultant, more choice of appts and access to treatments the NHS doesnt have. Its a must at the moment.

I am with Aviva through work and I found them excellent to deal with btw.

Ive always had it through work. My DH works in private medical insurance industry and I have seen how useful it is.

You need to see it as a long term investment in your health so for example I know people who get it then want to use it to get their moneys worth so to speak- then policy premiums rise year on year.

Speak to an insurance broker tell them your needs and they will do a market comparison for you.

I have had protection with Vitality and Axa over the last 10 years. Used Vitality for getting a mole checked and removed no issues- I had been with them around 3 years before I used it, had Axa for the last 2 years as I changed jobs but never had to use it.

We use Benenden, which is a sort of mutual society I think. It doesn't cost much per month but allows you to see a consultant straight away if the waiting list is long. I used it last year and found it very good. There are limitations though, but they are things that you'd normally be seen more quickly with anyway such as cancer or heart problems. It's not private healthcare but does give extra help when needed. It's very reasonable and worth a look. I think we pay £12 per month

Thanks all, useful insights.
I think we're going to go for Benenden as we're a young family so not got loads of spare cash and currently in good health.

I'd only ever have it through work, it's furiously expensive paying for your own. I used to be with BUPA and paid £125 a month as a single, fit, healthy 20-something.

@Autumncoming did you managed to find a solution? I have recently appointed my health protected as my health insurance broker, I was recommended by a family member and they have done a great job bringing down my premiums (which were very high) My new policy includes dental and optical cover and it is substantially less that was I was paying previously for compatible cover. I highly recommend them! They review your policy every year to ensure you are paying the most competitive rate on the market.

I've got a 20 pm (for me alone) policy with Simply Health. It gets me a same video appt with gp, and various other stuff, and I consider it worth it. Might be worth looking into.

I have it through work, and it doesn't cover normal pregnancy, menopause or diabetes among other things (other policies may do - but check what is covered.) However, colleagues have used it for fixing teeth and a dodgy knee and things like that. So I would check to see what you get.

Also, I was recently referred for gynae on the NHS, and having had my expectations set by the media on waiting times, I was surprised it wasn't very long after all (it was delayed by a month, but by me having covid, and I'm guessing private appointments would have had the same rules.)