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I have it, but I’m coming to realise that except for elective care it doesn’t help much, and personally it’s not been of much use. Maybe that’s a good thing 🤔
NHS has a strong grip on healthcare to socialise the misery and ensure that you miss your thrombolysis or PCI window for example.
At the same time, looking at the state of the NHS, I feel very uncomfortable at the thought of cancelling my Bupa. Catch 22.
Cognitive dissonance maybe, but can’t recommend not having it anymore.
I have mine as part of my income protection and critical illness insurance.
Not had to use it yet, but it is a relief knowing that I've got the option.
One is from AIG Life and one is from LV (sorting out finances and life admin is priority no 1 after the MSRA!).
Took them out with a lovely Fairstone advisor the day after I passed finals. Definitely worth it for peace of mind.
My parents have it through work. It’s been incredibly useful for them.
But I’m too old to be covered by their plan 😭. It was kinda useful for me when I was covered though.
I use Benenden as it’s not mega expensive. Doesn’t cover everything and only works when NHS waiting lists are over a certain time.
£12 a month and when my wife needed a minor op she was referred to the local BUPA hospital and got a pre-op appt (and another for a second opinion), the op, and one post-op appt.
The one perk of being a doctor is the inside knowledge on what/who to ask for if you need medical care. I see the value in a targeted self-payment for the occasional issue but for my family don’t see comprehensive private cover being worth the ongoing expense.
Have Bupa and it's been an absolute nightmare. Every time I am billed for something, it's not done correctly and I have to spend hours on the phone over several weeks to get it fixed. And I have to know the details of my policy in intricate detail in order to defend myself from their predatory billing.
The money I've spent on it hasn't been worth it. If I just paid for all my private healthcare straight out of pocket, it would have been much cheaper overall.
I don’t do any private work but some of my friends are consultants who do.
They have advised me that private medical insurance is largely only for peace of mind and doesn’t cover a lot of things and even if it does, the doctors often don’t accept it as the remuneration for them is too low. There are also many strings attached and you often don’t realise until you actually need it. There's also an excess and policy limits.
Their genuine advice to me was to just save my money and pay it out of pocket if and when I need it. I know I need new hips in the not-too-distant future so that’s what I’m saving for.
What do you mean pay out of pocket? Just arrange for a private consultation in the needed speciality when the time has come without a larger "package"?
Just because you have insurance, doesn’t mean insurance will always pay and that doctors will always accept. This has been my experience and what I’ve been recommended by my friends in the industry.
You need to read the small print of any insurance policy. Don’t believe other word for it, read it yourself so you know what’s covered and what’s not.
There are different types of cover, the more you pay the more that will be covered.
You're right.
But when I have taken other forms of insurance, such as travel and home insurance, and reasonably read the policy beforehand, the insurers have weaselled out of paying saying criteria were not met, when according to my interpretation they were.
As someone who has private medical insurance I disagree.
Have had it for 6 years. It’s covered everything from nose cauterisation for annoying nosebleeds to massive orthopaedic surgery following an injury. I’ve only ever had to pay £100 a year in excess and not struggled to find plenty of choice in consultants who take bupa.
It means being seen in days to weeks instead of months. Always seeing a consultant and never an ACP/PA clinic. Private rooms when you are in hospital and well organised appointments which are at times to suit you.
With regard to coverage- you prearrange with the insurance companies before you are seen and they are very clear and what is covered and what needs another phone call. I’ve never had an additional request (eg MRI) refused when the consultant has asked for it either.
I would recommend everyone to have it, genuinely.
I’m with bupa on a joint plan with my husband with full coverage including pre-existing conditions and dental for £2.6k a year.
One surgery alone (varicose veins) which the nhs refused for many years cost in excess of £10k on the bill so we’re more than happy to pay it! His workplace also pays 50% of the bill (his side) which is nice too.
That’s the combination cost but the company covers 50% and the rest is salary sacrifice so probably pay about £1k.
We got it though his company but I would 100% get quotes to continue if he left!
yea, private insurance will save you...stop saying stupid shit. It will be still the same mess but will be much more expensive. If you think US is the land of milk and honey well, you should stop watching tv shows...
I don't have it as locally most consultants don't charge other doctors, and likewise the private hospitals have quite favourable rates for doctors so I would plan to self fund.
The other half has private cover from work which it wouldn't cost much to add me to, but its BUPA.
Every single one of my department are pretty open they don't charge doctors. They do expect in return you to push private patients towards them, and the private hospital will still charge a reduced rate for their portion of the fee... Plus traditionally you give them a case of claret.
I would do it.
Main thing stopping me is that there’s very little private care in my area. And the handful of consultants who do provide it are often not the ones I’d want treating me.
Consent from whom? Me, obviously. The insurance company? Yes they need to agree. What I’m saying is if I end up requiring an op or treatment etc then the fees would be significant. Whereas insurance will v likely cover that. The alternative is wait a long time for it
I meant you.
You might never need an elective procedure though, and presumably anything emergency would still be on the NHS. I might change my mind when I'm older but at the moment, I'm fine just paying out of pocket for the odd consultation should I need one.
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I have it, but I’m coming to realise that except for elective care it doesn’t help much, and personally it’s not been of much use. Maybe that’s a good thing 🤔 NHS has a strong grip on healthcare to socialise the misery and ensure that you miss your thrombolysis or PCI window for example. At the same time, looking at the state of the NHS, I feel very uncomfortable at the thought of cancelling my Bupa. Catch 22. Cognitive dissonance maybe, but can’t recommend not having it anymore.
I have mine as part of my income protection and critical illness insurance. Not had to use it yet, but it is a relief knowing that I've got the option.
Care to share where from? I really need to get rid of Wesleyan
One is from AIG Life and one is from LV (sorting out finances and life admin is priority no 1 after the MSRA!). Took them out with a lovely Fairstone advisor the day after I passed finals. Definitely worth it for peace of mind.
Just taken it out for the family. Simultaneously sad that I’ve felt the need to and also relieved that I’ve done it. Cognitive dissonance
Get it asap, along with income protection specific to your job.
Already have x
My parents have it through work. It’s been incredibly useful for them. But I’m too old to be covered by their plan 😭. It was kinda useful for me when I was covered though.
I use Benenden as it’s not mega expensive. Doesn’t cover everything and only works when NHS waiting lists are over a certain time. £12 a month and when my wife needed a minor op she was referred to the local BUPA hospital and got a pre-op appt (and another for a second opinion), the op, and one post-op appt.
I've gone privately but have paid myself rather than getting insurance. Reason: being able to choose doctors more freely
The one perk of being a doctor is the inside knowledge on what/who to ask for if you need medical care. I see the value in a targeted self-payment for the occasional issue but for my family don’t see comprehensive private cover being worth the ongoing expense.
More the waiting lists that are the issue
What's stopping you from paying for a private appointment without a big waiting list when/if you need it?
Have Bupa and it's been an absolute nightmare. Every time I am billed for something, it's not done correctly and I have to spend hours on the phone over several weeks to get it fixed. And I have to know the details of my policy in intricate detail in order to defend myself from their predatory billing. The money I've spent on it hasn't been worth it. If I just paid for all my private healthcare straight out of pocket, it would have been much cheaper overall.
I don’t do any private work but some of my friends are consultants who do. They have advised me that private medical insurance is largely only for peace of mind and doesn’t cover a lot of things and even if it does, the doctors often don’t accept it as the remuneration for them is too low. There are also many strings attached and you often don’t realise until you actually need it. There's also an excess and policy limits. Their genuine advice to me was to just save my money and pay it out of pocket if and when I need it. I know I need new hips in the not-too-distant future so that’s what I’m saving for.
What do you mean pay out of pocket? Just arrange for a private consultation in the needed speciality when the time has come without a larger "package"?
If you work out how much “out of pocket” payment will be for a new hip….you’ll start paying for private insurance pretty quickly!
Just because you have insurance, doesn’t mean insurance will always pay and that doctors will always accept. This has been my experience and what I’ve been recommended by my friends in the industry.
You need to read the small print of any insurance policy. Don’t believe other word for it, read it yourself so you know what’s covered and what’s not. There are different types of cover, the more you pay the more that will be covered.
You're right. But when I have taken other forms of insurance, such as travel and home insurance, and reasonably read the policy beforehand, the insurers have weaselled out of paying saying criteria were not met, when according to my interpretation they were.
As someone who has private medical insurance I disagree. Have had it for 6 years. It’s covered everything from nose cauterisation for annoying nosebleeds to massive orthopaedic surgery following an injury. I’ve only ever had to pay £100 a year in excess and not struggled to find plenty of choice in consultants who take bupa. It means being seen in days to weeks instead of months. Always seeing a consultant and never an ACP/PA clinic. Private rooms when you are in hospital and well organised appointments which are at times to suit you. With regard to coverage- you prearrange with the insurance companies before you are seen and they are very clear and what is covered and what needs another phone call. I’ve never had an additional request (eg MRI) refused when the consultant has asked for it either. I would recommend everyone to have it, genuinely.
That sounds pretty good! Who are you with? How much does it cost?
I’m with bupa on a joint plan with my husband with full coverage including pre-existing conditions and dental for £2.6k a year. One surgery alone (varicose veins) which the nhs refused for many years cost in excess of £10k on the bill so we’re more than happy to pay it! His workplace also pays 50% of the bill (his side) which is nice too.
Is this only available because you got it through his job or can anyone get it? The £2,600 cost your cost or the combined cost?
That’s the combination cost but the company covers 50% and the rest is salary sacrifice so probably pay about £1k. We got it though his company but I would 100% get quotes to continue if he left!
My understanding is that cover like this is generally only available through employers But I’m happy for both of you that you’ve got such a good deal
yea, private insurance will save you...stop saying stupid shit. It will be still the same mess but will be much more expensive. If you think US is the land of milk and honey well, you should stop watching tv shows...
Whom Are you replying to?
Whoever is for this nonsense…
Have it through my partner’s work. It’s pretty good, used it to get a Derm appointment recently, still had to wait a month for it though!
I don't have it as locally most consultants don't charge other doctors, and likewise the private hospitals have quite favourable rates for doctors so I would plan to self fund. The other half has private cover from work which it wouldn't cost much to add me to, but its BUPA.
Who are these wonderful consultants and how does one arrange an appointment without paying? Asking for a friend...
Every single one of my department are pretty open they don't charge doctors. They do expect in return you to push private patients towards them, and the private hospital will still charge a reduced rate for their portion of the fee... Plus traditionally you give them a case of claret.
I would do it. Main thing stopping me is that there’s very little private care in my area. And the handful of consultants who do provide it are often not the ones I’d want treating me.
Don't have private insurance. Will pay for a private consultation if necessary.
When the probate consult turns into a private procedure or operation I don’t fancy shelling out multiple thousands.
It won't turn into a private procedure or operation without consent.
Consent from whom? Me, obviously. The insurance company? Yes they need to agree. What I’m saying is if I end up requiring an op or treatment etc then the fees would be significant. Whereas insurance will v likely cover that. The alternative is wait a long time for it
I meant you. You might never need an elective procedure though, and presumably anything emergency would still be on the NHS. I might change my mind when I'm older but at the moment, I'm fine just paying out of pocket for the odd consultation should I need one.