Going private?

[fatboyonadiet]

Me ma has an ongoing illness and we don't seem to be getting to the root cause of it, now I was wondering about getting private healthcare to try and speed the processes up a little and maybe try and get things resolved.

But from experience I know some private healthcare schemes don't cover for existing conditions, is there any that do? Or would she be better getting a healthcare cashplan?

Also does anyone know any ways of getting the costs reduced? Is Quidco available for any?

[fatboyonadiet]

Anyone? Is this the best board or should I move to the insurance one???

[JennyW]

some cover existing conditions, it all depends on what it is. For example I joined Bupa and explained to them in the past that I had previous physio for a back injury. They didn't exclude it and from time to time I still have physio. You would probably need to ring round and explain the situation.

My in-laws don't have private healthcare as they are too old (ie the premiums are very high), but if they need to see a consultant or have treatment, they pay to go private. Not ideally money saving but you do get what you pay for.

[Bossyboots]

The rule on pre-existing conditions with most companies, including BUPA is that you must have had no symptoms, treatment, medication or discussions with your doctor about it within the previous x number of years (x depends on the company). If you meet that criteria, they will cover most pre-existing conditions. Sometimes they may insist that you meet the criteria from day one of the policy rather than the period prior to taking the policy out. You would have to discuss individual situations with them.

Don't think that private healthcare guarantees results though. It is now a year since I was first referred privately and looking back on my treatment and reading the latest letters to my GP, I can see that I have been messed around and having been given a diagnosis and offered a treatment, the consultant then decided 9 months down the line that perhaps he was barking up the wrong tree!!!

The biggest advantage of course is almost immediate appointments and no waiting list for surgery.

[Toothsmith]

I would add that often the best place to go for surgery would be the private wards of your local NHS hospitals.

Some of the private clinics have very poor emergency care should anything go amiss, and very few have doctors there 24/7.

[fatboyonadiet]

I'm thinking maybe a healthcare cashplan would be better then?

[mjr600]

I have just paid for treatment for a spine problem with Bupa. The NHS waiting list was just too long and at the time I was not an 'acute' case.

Within days of contact I had an MRI scan (NHS 3-6 months) and got an immediate diagnosis. The scan should have been £800 but you will find there are different rates, I got it at £510 and it went on the credit card. By some fluke they never actually took it off and its been well over a month, can't believe my luck.

I had spinal injections and femural nerve injections by a consultant surgeon under sedation it was £1400 and it worked, until I fell over like a muppet having regained mobility and made myself worse, I'm now back to the NHS ! but since I have the scans I'm way ahead in terms of expected treatment.

Depending what the problem is an MRI scan can identify many different problems , the scan should include a full report of all issues they find.

I have since discovered that there are a number of MRI scanning facilities throughout the country and prices start at about £300. I am no Dr but the results of a scan may identify or rule any suspected illness so far diagnosed.

Like anyone Dr's get it wrong, at Xmas a casualty Dr told my wife she had pulled a muscle and to rest, a month later she was admitted for emergency keyhole knee surgery. Theres nothing better than having a look inside to find out whats going on and an investment of a few hundred on a scan might just do that.

[Bossyboots]

The scan should have been £800 but you will find there are different rates, I got it at £510 and it went on the credit card. By some fluke they never actually took it off and its been well over a month, can't believe my luck.




The anaethetist involved in my surgery last year didn't bill for his work for four months so don't go spending that money yet. Many places have claim and billing cycles and your may simply have missed it the month of the scan and will appear on your next bill or even the one after that.

[Bossyboots]

I would add that often the best place to go for surgery would be the private wards of your local NHS hospitals.

Some of the private clinics have very poor emergency care should anything go amiss, and very few have doctors there 24/7.


Fortunately the hospital I attend has an intensive care unit and is known for its good after care.

I spent some time in my local NHS hospital in February. Because of that I have had to have MRSA swabs today. Maybe the care in the private wards would have been better, but that was not an experience I care to repeat.

[beechescomposter]

I had spinal injections and femural nerve injections by a consultant surgeon under sedation it was £1400 and it worked, until I fell over like a muppet having regained mobility and made myself worse, I'm now back to the NHS ! but since I have the scans I'm way ahead in terms of expected treatment.

Depending what the problem is an MRI scan can identify many different problems , the scan should include a full report of all issues they find.

I have since discovered that there are a number of MRI scanning facilities throughout the country and prices start at about £300. I am no Dr but the results of a scan may identify or rule any suspected illness so far diagnosed.

Like anyone Dr's get it wrong, at Xmas a casualty Dr told my wife she had pulled a muscle and to rest, a month later she was admitted for emergency keyhole knee surgery. Theres nothing better than having a look inside to find out whats going on and an investment of a few hundred on a scan might just do that.

There are savings to be made on private scans and treatment by "shopping around". Time was that if you needed to ask the price you couldn't afford private medicine but competition has increased. The consultant radiologists in Hereford (www.uk-radiology.co.uk) do private MRI scans for £200. You can go through BUPA if you want and have the same scan on the same machine and reported by the same radiologist for £550!
They also do spine injections for £300 - a whopping £1100 saving on what MJR600 mentioned above.