Tell me about private health insurance and private urgent care

[Runningupthehillagain]

After several issues this year, most recently over the weekend, we are now looking at private health insurance.

I’m not so much concerned about premiums but I want a provider with excellent service and cover when it most matters. Would love to hear personal experience and recommendations.

I'm curious how much this all costs. I'm assuming it's out of range for most?

Not something I've ever looked into but having a few concerning waits in our family for various things the last few years and can see why people that can afford to, pay.

I have private healthcare through my job with medical history disregarded and its bloody brilliant.

I have a back issue at the moment amd I habe been seen by an orthopaedic doctor so quickly its amazing.

It's bit pointless asking because it 's like any insurance- your age, health, what you want it to cover.

If you are younger you can get a comprehensive policy for maybe £40-50 a month.

I pay £2K a year including premium London hospitals but I'm late 60s and it's gone up a lot in the past 3 years because of demand.

We have it through work. No exclusions and no excess.

In the last three years it has paid for neurological investigations for Ds, and autism assessment for DS and I've had three courses of physio, shockwave therapy, 5 gynae surgeries including GA each time, follow ups, bloods etc and a mammogram/ultrasound.

It is hands down the best benefit DH gets with his salary package!

@Moveyourbleedingarse can I ask which provider you use? It’s sounds like you’ve had a great experience.

@Runningupthehillagain a mix of AXA and Bupa. Now on Bupa.

They are all very easy to deal with.

One thing to look into is what provisions there are around you and how that aligns with the policy cover.

Some areas have lots of options. Others dont, and if there aren’t any improved consultants in your area then you end up travelling a significant distance.

I don't think the OP is genuine, possibly AI. The style of English gives it away.

why would anyone use AI or why would anyone not genuine ask?

Just go online, get some quotes and make a choice.

No one can decide for you.

I’m with Bupa - I get a big discount through my job and it’s a bit of a pain to be honest. I didn’t have to pass a medical or declare any conditions but the pay off to that is that each time I want to do something I have to get my NHS GP to complete a form with my medical history on. Last time it took them so many weeks to do this the problem I needed physio for had pretty much resolved itself by the time I got treatment.

I keep paying it because I imagine they would be a lot better if I needed more serious treatment.

I was able to self refer to a consultant and he could access my nhs imaging before the first appointment. However as I was claiming for consequences of an accident, which had happened in the first three months of the policy, even six months later, I had to get my gp to complete a form confirming it was not a preexisting injury in order to be covered. My second year premium was increased accordingly and the excess reset.

I am genuine - recovering from having very severe infection in my lymph nodes which my GP surgery didn’t manage properly. Sorry my grammar isn’t up to scratch.

ps I also use an app to help to write sometimes as I’m dyslexic. Have a great day, hope you feel better for commenting.

Sorry, the question was to a different poster @ItsGrimmerUpNorth but as you’ve included yourself in our little conversation, maybe go back and read my question. I was specifically asking for real experiences of providers customer care. Of course I’ve obtained quotes - any provider can look great at the sales stage; it’s how they treat you when it matters is where the value is. I don’t think I’ve ever suggested any “makes a decision for me”. Thanks for you completely unsolicited advice “advice”, you’ve really helped. Have a great day.

@Runningupthehillagain I added a lot of value to your posts to iron out a few things. My advice was not unsolicited because there are points I've made that you asked about- eg asking for a blood test.

I, for example, don't want to reveal which insurers I use, for personal reasons of confidentiality.

What I will say is that you can't make a decision on the 'brand' by asking here.

People have different criteria. I know people with Vitality (through their company) who think it's pretty useless. Others think it's great.

It's the same as car insurance. People have different experiences and preferences. There are many differences in the policies within a cover through work and one taken out personally - with the same provider.

It depends on your age, health, what you want it for, what you're happy to pay.

You take out an annual policy. If you're not happy with the service, if ever you need to use it, you can always go with another company in the future.

I understand what you were saying. Saying “I’d prefer not to share” would have done the job. Anything else other than that was unnecessary. I had specifically requested for experiences and recommendations. You have no obligation to respond to any post but if you do, please keep it to the point.

Posters are giving their time to help. It's not helpful to rant and use heavy sarcasm if you feel responses fall short of what you want.

Whatever you choose, all the best with it.

I appreciate any insight on recommendations and direct experiences. I had though asked another poster in response to their comment, which provider did they use. You then decided to respond by telling me to get some quotes and make a choice. No one can decide for me. That’s isn’t helpful. I am not a child. I understand how the world works and I don’t expect anyone to make a choice for me. I thought the whole point in this website was to share and ask questions, without any obligation for anyone to answer.

Bring back the good old days of penis beaker! I don’t think I’ll bother posting here again - it’s far to hostile here now.

Thank you to the helpful posters.

I love private urgent care- appreciate that living in London it’s an option but have used The Portland hospital for DC and Princess Grace for myself. Much quicker than the NHS but you have to pay as insurance generally doesn’t cover it.

We get AXA through our jobs and are generally happy with the service.

My daughter has access to a private GP through her health insurance at work and has had blood tests for HRT through them, but I don't think that they do the more routine blood tests. The other problem was that the NHS would not initially agree to take on the prescriptions for the HRT that the private doctor had provided, so she had to pay for private prescriptions for some months. The same was true for ADHD medication which was very expensive.

They rarely cover you for any pre existing conditions

We are totally private for everything but real
emergencies which you have to go to the NHS.

we are very near London so it makes it easier. Location is key to what you buy because it will determine by what is available.

we have had the same private GP for nearly 25 years. One of the best in London and he recommends consultants/hospitals. Some do have ITC and HDU if you check.

Insurance wise I've been with BUPA, AXA and vitality.

BUPA is terrible because they only cover a limited amount of fee assured consultants. Big experienced ones won't tolerate their fee cap.

vitality used to cover everyone - still does I thought - but the poster above suggests not. We left because they wanted £6k a year for a middle aged woman and child.

now with Axa with everything included. Well as much as they give. Unlimited access to tests, consultants etc.

Hope this helps

@Runningupthehillagain hi wd have family health policy with Aviva this includes online access to GP can get an appointment and they can write a referral if need a consultant . We’ve used it several times an it’s easy to claim. Currently using it for dermatology had a skin biopsy and also consultant orthopaedic for frozen shoulder had mri steroid and can have operation if needed. Really good policy

Please get cover. We’re with BUPA and recommend them to everyone. I just recommended them again to somebody today.

BUPA have been so helpful with a sudden serious illness. They’ve paid out for so much and the compassion and support has been incredible. I’m so thankful to them. They’ve gone way beyond.

On top of this the online GP service is great. I’ve never had to wait more than 24 hours for an appointment. The online GPs are great and I’ve received a prescription within minutes.

We are with Aviva and had many claims over past 7 years including 15k of ankle surgery which the NHS wouldn’t touch. Whilst financially viable I wouldn’t be without it.