Benenden Health - worth it?

[PeepingThomasina]

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.

You can buy an OTC test which then has a QR reading that you scan on an app .. to get a prescription called Drip UTI

Home testing ! It's brill

diputi.com/uk

@stevalnamechanger thank you - I'm not sure if it would work as I have to have a minimum of 5 days antibiotics and I suspect the pharmacy will only be able to do the standard 3

Hi
can I ask anyone with this cover
do you have to go to there London hospital to get anything done?

We have been members for over 25 years, found it an excellent service, had gall bladder surgery at their Kent Hospital, my (unfortunate) MS diagnosis was funded by them also. My sons have seen ENT consultants, paediatric gastroenterologist, Dermatologist. I have also used GP service on a couple of occasions, first was a good experience, on the second occasion, the GP was the rudest person ever, I really should have complained. Also had physio for a frozen shoulder. If you can afford it, do it.

I know this thread is a bit old but just wanted to say I have found them very good. They also do a cash plan with money back for things like eye health and dental, therapies etc.

The limit for tests scans etc is also increasing from £1800 to £2500 for each problem soon, I was told by their advisor. The monthly amount is going up due to this but only a pound or so.

I think it is very good value.

We also have some pre-existing conditions (treated by NHS e.g. autoimmume) and it is nice not to have to fuss about medical forms and hassle etc

And I also like that there is no excess to pay.

Any more recent experiences? I can't even get through to my GP surgery by phone anymore, lines are constantly engaged and you only get a 30 minute window to phone.

Specifically like to know if their GP service can issue prescriptions.

Yes they can.

Are their prescriptions private prescriptions? If so, how does that work? I've never had one.

They work the same as nhs ones. Take them to pharmacist who dispenses them.

I’ve been a member 10 years- Still pay for private docs.
I was told they DO. NOT DO DIAGNOSTICS. If you are in a queue longer than 6m for treatment then they will - with letter form Gp
Benenden PAID a £275 bill to see a private gynae re menapause/post op injury and would not cover follow up. Another time I had neck pain radiating arms etc after a house move - I was offered on phone physio! -Useless.
I’ve kept paying while worry about needing eye treatment but won’t do laser for some time so now that monthly sub is over £15, I’m wondering what DO they cover…and what am I throwing away!
I’m no where near Kent and so am I subsidising all thes people with families on here who seem to get a lot of use from it . I don’t recognize the usage I’m reading here!😶

Benendon Does getting an early diagnosis from them mean you will get quicker treatment as well

Yes it is helpful like this. I have just used it for a CT scan for memory clinic, the wait time was 15 weeks for the scan and 20 weeks for the memory clinic. Benenden won't do the memory clinic but they covered the scan and now the memory clinic says that since I have had it done they can put me on a cancellations list for that.

they give you 20% off joint replacement.

i did join but cancelled as there does not seem a proper list of what you are actually covered for. it all seems down to who advises you on the phone - lets b e honest how can they cover everything for £16 per month

They've just paid for both my cataracts to be done. The NHS would have made me wait a further year.