Benenden Health care, is it worth it?

[IthinkIamAnAlien]

I have been a member for 5 years and used the service twice, once for a knee injury consultation and once for heart palpitations. I've just had the second sh*t GP consultation with them, thinking that it would be better than waiting 3 or 4 weeks at our surgery for telephone or face to face appointment. (Face to face are like gold dust now). I'm quite annoyed that the Benenden GP said doesn't sound too bad (hand arthritis) and several weeks wasn't long for a consultation. I put DH on the account, he has used it once and it costs £31.70 a month.
I'm thinking of cancelling, anyone any opinion? thanks.

I’ve paid for years through my employer, so a bit cheaper. Whole family on it.

DD used it for a laparoscopy for endo as the waiting list was 2 years at least on the NHS. Slight issue with them refusing to pay for the main op … they did an investigative one to see how bad it was and then to discuss options, then a few weeks later the proper one.

Benenden decided this was having the same procedure twice which they don’t pay out for … took a while but they did pay eventually. Lovely private hospital.

It’s not the same as other private health insurance … it’s meant as a back up if the NHS wait is long.

Great thanks. I have a spire hospital close to me. I’ve recently been referred to a gynae by the NHS so I guess I just need to check how long the waiting list is.

I had my gallbladder out via Benenden and they were brilliant.

It’s not the same as other private health insurance … it’s meant as a back up if the NHS wait is long

This needs saying. It's a back up to NHS, not full private medical insurance which would likely be multiples of the cost

My husband and I have Benenden and have used the GP service several times. No complaints here - loads of different appointment times available, including late evening and a choice of phone or videocall. I last used it for antibiotics between the Xmas/New Year period where I would have had no chance of getting hold of an NHS GP. For 30 odd quid a month it's well worth it.

I’ve been a member of Benenden Health for well over 50 years and have never used it and I’ve also had my DD in it for 44 years and she has never used it.

i have rung them this week with a request for treatment for dupytrens contracture (two fingers permanently folded over into the palm of my hand). Yesterday I sent them a copy of my NHS consultants report (waiting list 18 months minimum, possibly over 2 years) and they will let me know in three working days if my claim will be successful or not so I’ll be back and let you know.

It depends on what you use it for. I’ve had it for several years and found it is very good for diagnostics (scans, consultant appointments etc) to find out what the issue is (much quicker than waiting for the NHS). Not great for treatment really.
I had an op with them in the summer. Had to argue to get three procedures the consultant wanted to do authorised (they stated they only covered two of them). The op didn’t work and they wouldn’t pay for any further procedures, so a bit pointless.
They also wouldn’t pay for recommended back injections.
I pay around £17 a month, so I am keeping it for now. I am considering moving to Axa though.

Re my post above the last one, Ive been accepted by Benenden to see one of their private consultants with a view to having an operation on my hand so that’s a good start.

That's good new @poorpaws

We have it, have not used GP element.

DH has had mri , Ct and steroid injections and treatment for kidney stones all because NHS wait times were very long

I have had steroid injections in past for arm issue and mri when I had sciatica. Have also had mri for a foot issue. Have found worthwhile as getting diagnostic without waiting months/years on NHS.

I know people who have had cataract surgery at hospital

I haven’t ever considered this but my mother has been a member for years and never used it. My Aunt also has cover but don’t know if she has ever used it.
I hadn’t ever thought about Dupytrens being covered. My OH had surgery last year for it after a four year wait. I am currently awaiting further investigations for an ovarian cyst and not heard anything a week after I was referred. Maybe we need to consider private cover.

@AmazingGraced I hadn’t considered it for dupytrens either. I thought I’d have to wait maybe 2 years but someone asked if I had health care so I rang not expecting it to be covered at all.

My parents paid into it for decades. Complete waste of money and time tbh. The three occasions they approached them for help with medical issues they were told it didn't come under their policy.

I would check their small print very carefully to see what is included and what you will be entitled to.

Just a quick update, my hand operation has been accepted by Benenden and I’m delighted. Operation on 24 March, which is so quick. The private consultation was so much better than the NHS consultant (he was dismissive, didn’t seem thorough or to care). The private one was fantastic and although I’ve often wondered if Benenden is a complete waste of money, today I am so happy I have private health care.

Thank you for the update.

We have Benenden cover and have used it quite a bit in the last couple of years just among our family we’ve used it for general surgery , orthopaedic surgery , cardiac investigations and dermatology , always being treated quickly . I have numerous chronic conditions that either wouldn’t be covered or would make private cover from Bupa etc astronomical in price so it suits us but we are also willing and able to pay if it came down to it .

@Silverbirchleaf You are welcome. I hope my post gives people food for thought and helps some people make a decision.

I had my operation at one of the local Benenden hospitals last Tuesday and the care was superb. I could not fault any of it from the consultant, anaesthetist, nurses, recovery room staff to the catering manager. I was so well looked after the whole time.

i have another two appointments on Thursday, one to remove the cast and redress the wound and the second one physio on the hand.

i dread to think what this must have cost Benenden.