Medical Insurance HELP!!

daisy2009

Hi!

I would like to look at getting Private Medical Insurance and ideally, would like to find out what the best way is to make sure that should myself (Age 29), my fiance (age 30), our son (age 10), my mother (age 51), father (age 55) and fiance's grandmother (age 86) become ill that we don't have to travel 30 miles away for treatment to place that if we can't drive, we can't get to. I believe that there is a Nuffield hospital quite close to us, and possibly some other private hospitals too, which is much better than trying to get to Walsgrave Coventry!

The 86 year old grandmother has only been in hospital once with an ulcer. Our ten year old son has been in remission for 6 years from a brain tumour, and I would like to try and make sure that this could somehow be covered.

I'm not too worried about out patient care as I could set up an account that could pay for any appointments or scans, but I would very much like for all the serious things to be covered.

Does it make sense to try and get us all covered?! :eek: Costly I should think!!

My head is spinning at the moment!! Much like this... :money: !! I can't seem to make sense of it all!!

Drinkies all round if I can get this straight in my head!! :beer:

Wutang_2

you cannot cover pre-existing conditions although PruHealth will cover anything after 2 years regardless of any recurrences.

You wont be able to all go on the same policy but you can all get cover.

most companies iunclude all the private hsopitals and if its just inpatient cover you're after then this can be easily compared via any of the comparison sites or via the one on here.

It is areas such as cancer, excess, physio and dental etc where there are differences between the main companies - and this is usually when you need to speak to someone (eg an IFA - that self promoting other guy may also message you)..

good luck

lisyloo

This is going to be hugely expensive and I'm not sure whether one hospital will be able to cope with all conditions.

Not trying to scaremonger but I have heard of people dying at private hospitals because there was no on-site cardica care team on duty., which you would get at a bigger NHS hospital.

My own view is that you should save your money for private taxis or find some other way to get to the hospital.

My in-laws are 81 and cannot drive and are severely disabled.
Just recently my MIL needed a check up.
A voluntary organisation picked them up and took them to the hospital.
Most hospitals have such arrangements mainly designed for elderly/disabled people.

Personally I would much rather go to the hospital that's best for CARE and not best for convenience.
So my suggestion would be to save your money for private taxis or rope in family to help up (last resrt is the voluntary people if you are really stuck but if you have other ways you shouldn't abuse the charity of others).

It's going to cost a fortune for heslth particularly for the more elderly memebers of the family and then there is no guarantee that everything could be treated locally.

shelly

daisy2009 wrote: »

that we don't have to travel 30 miles away for treatment to place that if we can't drive, we can't get to. I believe that there is a Nuffield hospital quite close to us, and possibly some other private hospitals too, which is much better than trying to get to Walsgrave Coventry!

Its not always that simple, (IME with BUPA) you have to go to the hospital where the specialist/consultant is when you are private or wait for them to hold a clinic at your nearest private hospital...if in fact they do a clinic at your nearest hospital at all.

For example I am seeing a consultant next month to have a cyst removed and its my local hospital just a few miles up the road. He has a clinic there every 2 weeks so not too bad.

For my cervical cancer check ups and smears I have to go to the Cambridge Lea ( I could also go to the Nuffield but we go to the Lea) That's an hours drive eachway for a 10 minute appointment.


As I said this is just my experience with BUPA, other PMI companies might operate differently.

daisy2009

thanks all for your replies, it's certainly a lot to think about isn't it!

I would just like to try and ensure that we don't find ourselves in the same position as family friends at the moment, where the husband has cancer, the wife can't drive, the daughter can drive but can't drive the distance to the hospital where her dad is, and the dad is all that distance away on his own all day in a room with lots of strangers. And while he will be getting excellent medical treatment he needs his family and friends around him as much as possible and that's just as important as his treatment.

I believe that Pruhealth with cover you on previous illnesses from 2 years after the start of the policy, but won't cover people aged 80 years and over. Are there policies out there that can cover anyone in the family, parents, children, partners of children, or is it a case of everyone needs naming and possibly several policies? This really is something I have no idea about so am very naive on the subject and finding I can't get my head around what's on the net!! :rotfl:

PMISpecialist_2

daisy2009 wrote: »

Hi!

I would like to look at getting Private Medical Insurance and ideally, would like to find out what the best way is to make sure that should myself (Age 29), my fiance (age 30), our son (age 10), my mother (age 51), father (age 55) and fiance's grandmother (age 86) become ill that we don't have to travel 30 miles away for treatment to place that if we can't drive, we can't get to. I believe that there is a Nuffield hospital quite close to us, and possibly some other private hospitals too, which is much better than trying to get to Walsgrave Coventry!

The 86 year old grandmother has only been in hospital once with an ulcer. Our ten year old son has been in remission for 6 years from a brain tumour, and I would like to try and make sure that this could somehow be covered.

I'm not too worried about out patient care as I could set up an account that could pay for any appointments or scans, but I would very much like for all the serious things to be covered.

Does it make sense to try and get us all covered?! :eek: Costly I should think!!

My head is spinning at the moment!! Much like this... :money: !! I can't seem to make sense of it all!!

Drinkies all round if I can get this straight in my head!! :beer:

Hi Daisy2009,

The fact you mentioned the Walsgrave Coventry makes me think your fairly near to me. I'm living in Kenilworth?

Yes ideally you need some good advice from a specialist in this field.

I've just put some rough figures together (i've had to guess answers to some questions) and looking at three of the better insurers on the market (there are over 40):

Pruhealth: If you are in to health and fitness or need something to motivate you to get fitter/healthier then Pruhealth are certainly worth a look. In a nutshell they will give you 100% of the first years unclaimed premium off the next years premium. They will reward you (i.e. FREE gym membership & many others) for doing the things you should be doing i.e. going for check ups keeping/getting fit and of course pay for your private bills if you or another member is ill. There is a huge thread on this website here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=493150&page=61 Expect to pay around £70- £90 per month for your family (You, Partner and Son) no excess in year 1. Years 2, 3, 4, ect though you should be paying £7 - £9 per month if you stay claims free.

National Deposit: You can get a very good family scheme through them for exactly £60 per month no excess, fixed (for as long as you wish) i.e. this scheme will never go up regardless of age/claims/inflation etc , you can get half your unclaimed premiums back at any point in time you wish, they also cover dental and optical (new glasses, contact lenses etc) which is over and above what most insurers cover.

BUPA: The best known of the traditional providers. Costs coming out are £69.65 (basic cover), £103.36 (midrange) and £113.71 Fully comp all no excess. You can reduce these monthly premiums by 20-25% by adding a £250 excess.

Your parents were coming out around:

£125 per month (basic), £149 (midrange), £184 (fully comp). with Pruhealth.

£90 per month fixed with National Deposit.

£96.56 per month (basic), £143.18 (midrange), £157.50 (fully comp). with Bupa

Your fiancee's nan is coming out around £116 per month with Bupa. National Deposit are not covering new joiners over 70 at the moment but have a plan for them in the pipeline (next 3+ months).

Hope i've been helpfull!

lisyloo

Can the wife not get a train/bus - stay at the hopsital or hotel or with friends nearby?

I have a feeling there are other solutions.
You are never going to get all kinds of specialist treatments on your doorstep.
It just isn't going to happen, whatever policy you get.

Hospitals can make transport arrangements sometimes done by volunteers.
They can also offer overnight accomodation in some cases.
There are also MSE ways of staying away from home e.g. "couch surfing" (this is where you let people stay in your house for free) or getting a £9 travelodge room.

I feel sure there are other ways round this rather with a bit of effort and reasearch rather than just shrugging shoulders because there's no chaffeur on hand.
Sorry if that sounds harsh but I'm quite suprised people give up so easily when there are options available.

When my MIL was in intensive care, I slept on the floor in someone's house.
One of the nurses even offered for someone to stay with her.
I would walk or cycle 20 miles and sleep in the waiting room or car if necessary.

You would still be better of putting your money towards hotels/taxis IMO.
Why not start an account for hotel accomodation/taxis and put an amount each month into it instead of getting a policy?

I really don't think you will acheieve every type of specialist care on your doorstep and even if you do have the care locally you have to bear in mnd that you might be swapping a posh wine list for a on-site cardiac care team that might save your life.

PMISpecialist_2

daisy2009 wrote: »

thanks all for your replies, it's certainly a lot to think about isn't it!

I would just like to try and ensure that we don't find ourselves in the same position as family friends at the moment, where the husband has cancer, the wife can't drive, the daughter can drive but can't drive the distance to the hospital where her dad is, and the dad is all that distance away on his own all day in a room with lots of strangers. And while he will be getting excellent medical treatment he needs his family and friends around him as much as possible and that's just as important as his treatment.

I believe that Pruhealth with cover you on previous illnesses from 2 years after the start of the policy, but won't cover people aged 80 years and over. Are there policies out there that can cover anyone in the family, parents, children, partners of children, or is it a case of everyone needs naming and possibly several policies? This really is something I have no idea about so am very naive on the subject and finding I can't get my head around what's on the net!! :rotfl:

Unless you all work for a company and can therefore set up a company group scheme. Its individual family schemes.

It is usual that there would be three policies:

1. For your family, (i.e. you your partner and son).
2. One for your mum and dad.
3. One for your partners Gran.

Whats best for one may not be best for another.

i.e. IF you and your partner are in to health and fitness then Pruhealth may well be best for you.
Your mum and dad may not be into health and fitness and the idea of trying to score points very unatractive to them in which case National deposit or a traditional provider may be better for them.
Your partners nan is going to be expensive as she is such a high risk to the insurers at her age. I've not checked thoroughly for her but Bupa was coming out at £116 per month which will do for now as a ball park figure.

lisyloo

IF you and your partner are in to health and fitness then Pruhealth may well be best for you.

We are on pruhealth as it's offered free by my husbands company but none of the gyms are near us so the vitality scheme is next to useless for us.
Might sound obvious but check that they offer facilities in your area because it's easy to get carried away with stuff like that before realising it's no use at all.

PMISpecialist_2

lisyloo wrote: »

We are on pruhealth as it's offered free by my husbands company but none of the gyms are near us so the vitality scheme is next to useless for us.
Might sound obvious but check that they offer facilities in your area because it's easy to get carried away with stuff like that before realising it's no use at all.

Company Pruhealth schemes do not give you money off (as it not an incentive to you if your employer pays it anyway). On a company basis you get £700 cashback instead.

Anyway back to Individual Pruhealth plans.

For those people who either do not have a gym near them or are not interested in gyms. i.e Lots of people prefer walking, golf, cycling, football, hockey netball ect ect These members can score points via the fitbug (a fancy pedometer) or the polar heart rate monitor and score the points that way (amongst many many others) to get their premiums down this way instead.

I'm with Pru myself and pay £3.36 per month for fully comprehensive PMI, i get free gym, 45% off Mark warner holidays, eurostar tickets to paris Lille and Brussells for £10, champneys (retail £219) for £40 per night including all three meals and a complementory massage, cineworld annual pass for £25 (retail £140+), health screenings for £25 (retail £400 plus).

Also i'm safe in the knowledge that new conditions are covered straigt away + regarding pre existing conditions 5 years prior to your start date. After 2 years there are going to be no exclusions what so ever on the policy for you or any of the family. Because after two years everything is covered no matter what happens within those two years.

Where as with Bupa (at best) for example any conditions five years prior to the start date of the policy will not be covered after two years if you have symptoms and receive treatment, medication, tests or advice from my GP or a specialist for the condition.

lisyloo

I'm with Pru myself and pay £3.36 per month for fully comprehensive PMI, i get free gym, 45% off Mark warner holidays, eurostar tickets to paris Lille and Brussells for £10, champneys (retail £219) for £40 per night including all three meals and a complementory massage, cineworld annual pass for £25 (retail £140+), health screenings for £25 (retail £400 plus).

This sounds absolutely fantastic and I'm sure it is (for you).
But I don't think that people should be under the impression that this is automatic for most people.
For most people it would be quite an effort to get this many points.
I have spent quite a while looking into it and with no gyms near me I would find it very difficult.
Perhaps in your case, the things you need to do fit in with your routine and hence it's a fantastic deal for you, but for many people it's going to be more effort.

If in doubt, don't take my word for it, but read the other thread(s) on it by putting pruhealth gym into the search box.

I'm not trying to be negative at all.
I think it's a fantastic deal.
I'm just saying that if people are joining up on the bases of expecting to get certain benefits then they should be aware of what is involved.