Does anyone have Benenden Health cover?

[behappy1736]

Is it worth it?
I can't justify ££££s for private health cover so at £11 a month Benenden seems like a good mid way compromise?
Can anyone tell me if it's worth it and how it works from experience please? Thanks

Anyone?

I've just joined (reluctantly - ex-NHS nurse), and think it's important that people read the small print (I did, fortunately), as it really isn't an alternative to the NHS, but rather offers some additional services (hence it being so much cheaper than the big names).

What specifically appealed to me was the easy access to a GP (24 hours apparently) for my daughter and son-in-law (I've done a family membership), as their London GP surgery is completely swamped, and often all they really need is someone medical to tell them whether a particular symptom needs immediate attention or can wait.

Note that, other than the GP support, nothing much else can be accessed until you've been a member for 6 months. However after that there are various minor procedures, plus physio and psych support that are covered. It doesn't cover big orthopaedic requirements, or cancer, or cardiac. So, I'm looking at it more as an 'always available' GP than anything much else.

(My other thinking is that, if the NHS does go down the pan - sob! - and we all need private cover, Benenden might look more kindly - in terms of cost - on existing customers than new ones. However, I have no inside information and could be entirely wrong!)

Hope that helps :-)

I have used it recently for an ultrasound and MRI for abdo pain, very quick. Good value. Now seeing a specialist this month. All would have taken months and months with the NHS.

My friend swears by it and has had it for years (and all of her family members too). I know it’s nothing really like the expensive health insurances but it’s at least something and as someone further up said, it’s good at least for GP access as my surgery is over subscribed and takes at least 4-6 weeks to get a routine appointment.
I am going to try it from next month.

Thank you for the replies. I simply cannot afford private health cover for my family at £90+ a month and even then having to pay £250 excess for a claim.
I took out Benenden today as it seems like a good option and like you say is something and better than nothing!
Has anyone used the 24/7 gp service? Is it good?

Good to know thank you! Did they approve it easily? Was the process easy to refer?

Don’t bother. It really doesn’t fast track anything apart from minor stuff which is nice to be seen quickly for, but not urgent. I was a customer for a year and as a healthy person didn’t access it at all. When I finally did, I didn’t like the service I received either.

I needed a repeat progesterone prescription to sustain my pregnancy and figured they would be an easy way of getting it. It’s not a dangerous medicine, my records were attached to the portal- happy days. My other option was to travel to my private fertility clinic (a long journey away!) which I didn’t have time to do, and I may have had to pay a consultation fee there.

They were manic box tickers and refused to dispense as I would need a full physical before they could give it to me. This was despite having my full health records from my fertility clinic sent to them. Really unhelpful.

It’s cheaper to pay for a private GP appointment as and when you needed it. I have had very good experiences with PushDoctor so I would just use that as and when if you don’t have a private GP near you. Private GPs can also refer you back to the NHS.

(PushDoctor ended up solving my problem, and prescribed it to me after a video consultation- but the NHS actually ended up picking up my prescription anyway so happy days)

Considering this myself, interested to hear more opinions.

My GP told me not to bother with Benendon

My Grandad had it

I have been a benenden member for years and think it’s a great service. I have mainly used it for investigations and would have been referred back to NHS if I needed ongoing treatment. It’s often the wait to see a consultant that takes so long and I think they offer around £2000 for consultation and diagnosis so that usually covers any scans etc. I have my mum and dad signed up as well. My mum has never needed to use it but my dad has used it several times. I’ve never used the GP service.

I’ve had it for years and have had 2 surgeries through them. The waiting list for nhs was very long and the surgeries are in the region of £5k today which I wouldn’t have afforded. The admin staff were very helpful and clear on procedures. Some investigations I had to pay upfront for (ct scan) but was refunded this. The hospital was paid direct.

I was and it was great. Paid for several consultations for me and would have paid for hysteroscopy. Also had scan done far more quickly than waiting for nhs

A Simply Health plan gives you access to private GPS, and cash back for consultants, health checks, dentist, optician, physio etc. I always get back and more what I pay in each year family cover. I had a Benenden plan for many years but cancelled as they wouldn’t help for 2 surgeries for DS, and were very dismissive.

Benendon have just axed Varicose veins from their treatments AND Bupa will now administer your tests etc What is NOT clear is if you need to see a Consultant whether you will still be referred to the NHS or will have to go to Bupa Anyone know