Dental Insurance

Alan50

I have had PHI for 15 years, never used it (I am 49) Is the NHS quick enough and good enough to care for my needs. I am self-employed, so speed of service is essential
God willing I have been fit and well, and hopefully labour has improved the system? but the premiums are increasing with age...any comments..Thanks

Bossyboots

I needed investigations earlier this year. In 2005 I started the process which was initially treated as potentially serious and therefore urgent. Although I had a scan within 10 days, my "urgent" hospital appointment was not until six weeks after I saw my GP. That time they decided it was a false alarm.

The same problem materialised this year and I reported it to my GP in the first week of May. Again, it was considered potentially serious. Using my new private health insurance I was seen, tested and treated by the 9th June. I had a post op complication, notified the consultant's secretary and he saw me immediately and gave me treatment.

I am now awaiting an MRI scan. The NHS waiting time is minimum 10 weeks. I can have it done next week under my private insurance.

I have just waited 2 months for a follow up spinal appointment even though the treatment I received made me worse. Even after the MRI I will have to wait for an appointment and then wait again for further treatment. I have not claimed this under my private insurance because I thought it would all go faster. It hasn't.

Hopefully this will give you some food for though before you decide.

hobo28

Hi Alan

Unless you REALLY need the money, keep it. One day you will need to get treatment and then you'll realise how long the waiting lists really are on the NHS and kick yourself.

My son needed surgery when he was born. NHS was 18 months minimum. Privately we could choose whatever time suited us. My ex needed surgery and NHS was 10 weeks for an urgent consultation with the consultant. That's 10 weeks just to see the consultant, not the surgery! Privately was the next day.

When you need it, you'll be glad you have it.

Mrs_Optimist

SPOOKY! Have just been discussing the possibility of PHI with DH not 10 minutes ago and have since just read your post.

A colleague at work has been in agonising pain with her back from over 6 months now, the pain is so bad morphine will not even touch it. She was due to have an MRI but had to join a 52 week waiting list. There was no way she could wait that long so paid (via credit card) to have the MRI privately. Took 3 days. She has just seen her Consultant today (NHS) with the MRI Scan and needs an operation. Has to join NHS waiting list which currently stands at 18 months. The costs of private is between 15-20K. She wishes she had PHI as there is no way she can afford that. Is currently considering travelling abroad to have the op done there as a lesser expense but will have to remortgage her house. She is a young 47 year old woman who is usually fit and healthy. This problem came out of the blue. If she was reading your post now she wouldn't hesitate to tell you to keep it. Ironically the consultant she saw on the NHS also moonlights and does private work. IN fact the Private consultants often use NHS facilities.

Bossyboots

Mrs_Optimist wrote:

Ironically the consultant she saw on the NHS also moonlights and does private work. IN fact the Private consultants often use NHS facilities.

The consultant who did my op privately was the same one I saw on the NHS last year although I did see him at the local private hospital rather than the private part of the NHS one.

Welshlassie

I now have PHI with work, but 3 years ago when I ended up with a torn cartiledge in my knee I didn't. I went to see my GP who confirmed it was a torn cartiledge and that I'd most probably need surgery he told me there and then that it was a 2-3 month wait to see a consultant, and further 6-8 months for an MRI (which I'd need even if the consultant confirmed the diagnosis) and another 12 months for the surgery, over all nearly 2 years.

I was getting married in less than 6 months and at the time could barely walk.

I asked to see a consultant with an NHS list privately for the consultation and had the appointment the following week - he explained the pricing and booked me in to have the op 2 weeks later, privately.

It treatment was fantastic, it included all my pre and after care including physio and the hospital was really clean and comfortable. It was only day surgery but I wouldn't have felt too uncomfortable with staying over night.

Unless you really need the money you pay keep it.

NAR

Alan, you are 49 and presumably in reasonably good health. The next 10-15 years are very important to you I am sure as you approach retirement. Odds are that something will "give" with your body. I would rather have private health insurance and have it dealt with quickly and efficiently than get gradually worse waiting for a National Health appointment (months if not years!). This will ensure a minimum time off work, vital as you are self employed.
We all think nothing will happen to us, but that is why it is vital to have insurance. Hopefully you will never have to make use of it, but it is a small amount of money really for the peace of mind it brings.

bobsa1

Dh and I have private health and thank god we do. Just before xmas I found a lump, seen by consultant following day, all tests carried out that day and given the all clear. A friend of mine found a lump, saw consultant 2 weeks later, tests 3 weeks later and results (cancerous) a fortnight after that. So 7weeks before any treatment at all.

I'm afraid for us the peace of mind is worth the money. 2 of the dd's have been dealt with privately and I saw a consultant yesterday and minor op 2 weeks time (could have been this week but not convenient for me) so yes PH is worth it just for peace of mind

lynzpower

Many years ago I screwed my knee in italy in a classic skiers knee fiasco.
Stretchered home, full plaster cast. Next day went to A&E with my italian xrays. they said basically, in order for my knee to heal properly ( crushed bone, literally severed cartlidge in knee) id need the cartlidge sticthced together within 7 days, however, it would be at least a 12 week wait for it on NHS. I got covered under mums bupa family cover, and I was consulted with next day, 2 days later in as a day patient. Could not fault it. Was treated very well, fed, watered, attended to, explained to.

Ive got health needs now, that bupa wont cover me for, and Ive been in and out of the NHS Q so many times, rereferred, tested, referred back to gp, this has been going on for over 5 years with no clear resolution.

i ofund out today that theres a policy that will cover me in a couple of years, so im starting the policy now. Im literally overjoyed. Ive been battling with the NHS for YEARS and got sodding nowhere. If I was private, I would have been seen and treated years ago.

Keep it, nothings more precious than your health.

Lynz
x

Nicki

We have private medical insurance. DD who has serious learning difficulties broke her jaw and one of her two front teeth last year. Went to Dental A and E and were told she would need an X-ray to diagnose what was wrong and given her difficulties this would be under GA. As she has special needs and fracture was suspected, we were told would be put on priority list but would not be done for 2-3 weeks. No pain relief was offered for the interim. Her face was so swollen she couldn't eat. We went private, and she was seen by consultant the following day and operated on first in his list the day after. She had a hairline fracture of the jaw and her two front teeth had to come out. We were so relieved we forgot to tell the NHS, and 6 months later the appointment for the x ray came through, which is a very long time for a young child with problems of understanding in pain and unable to eat to wait.

hobo28

Its truly shocking reading these stories about the state of the NHS. Wonder if the politicians have private health cover or not? They dont seem to live on the same planet as the rest of us.

One thing I was surprised to find out was that a lot of company health insurance schemes cover existing conditions so even if you join their company whilst having a condition, it is covered. I didn't realise this but my friend who needed an eye operation found this out.

The icing on the cake for me when my son had his operation was that not only did I get to see the consultant when I wanted, he even gave me his mobile number so I could call him directly!