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Original poster

Benenden Health - worth it?

40 replies

PeepingThomasina · 13/12/2022 15:29

Does anyone have the GP access Benenden Health cover for £11 per month pp? I’m looking for experiences both good and bad, so I can decide whether its a good option for us or not.

I’m genuinely frightened of the direction primary care is heading in and I can’t get a GP appointment at my surgery without playing phone Russian roulette at 0830 each time I want to book, which is infuriating. It’s just not a safe or effective system so I don’t feel as if I have any choice but to look elsewhere (and money is tight, don’t get me wrong).

Do Benenden offer any face to face appointments or is it only online consultations? I know I need to do a lot more research just thought I’d ask for advice from those with first hand experience.

OP posts:
Maze76 · 15/12/2022 00:39

I have Benenden and have used the GP on two occasions, both telephone consultations. I found the GPS very helpful, l thinks it worth the spending on your health if you are able.

MrsK23 · 15/12/2022 00:43

Our whole family (18 of us) have Beneden healthcare both children and adults and have used it numerous times for lots of different things. Totally worth the money- the price of a McDonald’s each month.

Everything from consultations to diagnostics like ultrasounds/MRIs/Biopsy’s to treatment such as minor surgeries or referrals. The waiting times are so short and the care given is excellent. You do have to wait a 6 month period before you can use the premium but I would recommend to anyone

Pelo22 · 15/12/2022 00:50

Loitering here to see the answers
Is it something you can use if say, you've got a UTI/infection and need antibiotics but can't get in with your own GP?
I work FT and it's a nightmare battling to be seen along with taking time off work

cortisolqueen · 15/12/2022 01:52

I have this & found it helpful for gp appointments, diagnostics, scans etc. Only thing it didn't cover me for was pain management (frozen shoulder)

sixtiesbaby88 · 17/12/2022 11:15

I have it and used it to see a dermatologist quickly. Nhs was over a year wait, and I was covered in weeping sores that turned out to be lupus, so it was perfect for me!

colouringindoors · 17/12/2022 11:19

I've been wondering the same thing. I love the NHS but its been so hard to access GP this winter and as self employed person taking time off is hard.

FuzzyPuffling · 18/12/2022 16:18

DH and I are both in it and they have been great for a range of things (cardiac, neurology, digestion) We used to live near the hospital in Kent and used that, and it was really very good indeed. (Sadly, we've moved)
Most frequently I used their GP call back system when I was unable to get any response from my own GP. Excellent service.

skippy67 · 18/12/2022 16:39

DH has it, and I've been able to use it to get an MRI much quicker than the NHS were able to do it. They also covered my having my varicose veins removed. Staff and hospital in Kent were lovely.

bellac11 · 18/12/2022 16:44

Im interested in the answers here

Is it only 11 a month to access the GP services, what else do you get from that?

I was wading through their site recently to try to work out what a package would cost me, I admit I found it difficult to get a price and theres so much they dont cover

What do people pay and what do you get from that and what exemptions are there?

Remona · 18/12/2022 16:47

I don't know about the GP appointment side of things as I have no experience of that.

However, when it comes to having something that requires seeing a consultant they are very good considering how little you pay per month (some Bupa patients are paying hundreds of pounds every month, I kid you not). You cannot just book things yourself and do have to get a GP referral and run everything by them, which I think is only fair, but if you have a condition that requires further investigation and/or day case surgery, they are brilliant. They will cover operations that are classed as day case but anything that requires more than an overnight stay they will not cover, so things like joint replacement surgery won't be covered.

Once they approve your consultations etc., they give you a temporary Bupa membership with a set amount (I think about £1500?) to cover your consultation and the basic investigations. If you then require further treatment, you have to go back to them to get further authorisation.

FuzzyPuffling · 18/12/2022 16:48

I think you can get a discount on private joint replacement surgery.

FuzzyPuffling · 18/12/2022 16:50

The GP thing - I had a cardiac issue and wasn't sure what next steps I should take. My GP offered me a telephone appointment in 7 weeks time (yep, for a cardiac issue!) but I spoke to a Benenden GP within a day, who helped me to make a decision. No judgement, no rush and very helpful.

Remona · 18/12/2022 16:55

FuzzyPuffling · 18/12/2022 16:48

I think you can get a discount on private joint replacement surgery.

I wasn't aware of that as I have no experience of people wanting to go down that route. When you consider that joint replacement surgery can cost upwards from about £12,000, even with a discount on that the cost to the patient will be into the thousands and so realistically lots of people cannot afford that.

I do, however, think that Benenden provide excellent value for money and offer a great service.

IncessantNameChanger · 18/12/2022 17:04

Do they look into existing conditions? I have had edema for a over year now but no found cause. I'd love to get to the bottom of that

Melon9 · 18/12/2022 17:19

I've had Benenden for years and it's been a bit of a mixed bag.

Used them for diagnostics 3 times when the NHS wait was at least 6 months. They make you a temporary member of bupa and give you a choice of consultants to book with then you go ahead and make the booking. First time was excellent, one call and seen practically immediately. 2nd time I could not get a reply from any of the 3 numbers they gave me and managed to get an NHS cancellation instead. 3rd time was similar but I went back to Benenden and they gave me another 3 numbers and I eventually got through. I do find this concerning, I can't really believe that this is the experience bupa members get?

I've used the GP service a few times, it's always been a phonecall but sending through photos beforehand for eg a sore throat. Usually same day appointment, one of the GPs was obviously desperate to get rid of me as fast as possible and didn't listen to me but the others were all good. Similar to NHS experience.

If it is just the gp service you want there are plenty of pay per call services, I think super drug does one.

BibblesworthTheThird · 18/12/2022 19:27

@IncessantNameChanger you definitely need to be seen in person for that. Could be due to any number of issues so you need a thorough work up x

iammother · 18/12/2022 19:31

Placemarking. The lack of reliable GP service is terrifying atm with young children.

BibblesworthTheThird · 18/12/2022 19:39

Thanks for all the replies (sorry I’ve NC, do it all the time!)

It would really only be for GP access I think as that’s the area I really struggle with. I just don’t trust the current system in any way shape or form.

notsosoftanymore · 18/12/2022 21:00

I've been a member of Benenden for about three years. I used the GP service 3 times and found it very useful.

Right now I'm amazed, having been referred for a colonoscopy on the two week pathway two months ago. I contacted Benenden and had to wait three days while they assessed then, as someone above said, I was given the number of three consultants and two weeks later, am having the colonoscopy this week.

I think that's a very good outcome for £11 a month. They seem to offer all sorts of paid for treatment from physios to various sorts of surgery. I wouldn't generally support private medicine but the NHS is collapsing and when they're worried about symptoms, most people would want to be seen ASAP.

BibblesworthTheThird · 18/12/2022 21:06

That is a bloody good outcome. Definitely thought provoking.

Battlecat98 · 18/12/2022 21:12

Almost seems to good to be true. I think I need to look at this to.

LesLavandes · 18/12/2022 21:20

If you use their GO service online, can they prescribe medication?

LesLavandes · 18/12/2022 21:20

GP

TrixJax · 18/12/2022 23:26

If you use their GP service Is it a private prescription they issue?

AfterEightMintyCedric · 18/12/2022 23:30

We've had Benenden for years and although I've not used the GP service they're otherwise excellent.

The phone advice line is very good. Called them to ask about counselling for DD early in the year...she had an assessment within 48 hours and started therapy the following week...no need to see our GP for that.