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Medical Insurance Cost Cutting Plan Article Discussion Area

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  • PMISpecialist_2
    PMISpecialist_2 Posts: 165 Forumite
    edited 9 July 2009 at 9:39AM
    jessyj wrote: »
    I have held a BUPA policy on their B scale for 22 years. I'm most grateful that I have always managed to keep up the payments as I was recently diagnosed with cancer and they have really come into their own. I am being treated in a wonderful, comfortable hospital and I have not seen a single bill!

    Before the diagnosis, I was planning to spend up to 6 months a year in Australia. After the diagnosis I was worried that I would not be able to get medical cover in Australia but I talked to BUPA International and they told me that I can extend my existing cover to worldwide, excluding USA and Canada.

    That is a great relief but the cover is very expensive, £2,200 PA at age 47. Does anyone know of a cheaper way to get the same cover from BUPA? I doubt that I would be able to change insurers now with my existing condition.

    International PMI Policies

    If you want 'ongoing care' when you reach Australia i.e treatment etc then an international policy is probably the way to go.

    International policies are minefields and the fact that Bupa international will take on your cancer if you switch from your uk based Bupa policy is very much to their credit.

    Travel Insurance


    Obviously you should have this as well as your Bupa International policy for all the important additional benefits this gives you i.e. liability insurance, legal protection ect. If you do not want on going care for your cancer when you are in Australia and are just looking for 'medical emergency treatment only' which is what most travel insurance covers you for. You could save yourself money again by sticking with your UK based travel insurance and bolting on a travel insurane policy and not taking the expensive international vesion, as long you do not want on going care for your cancer.

    Please note it would be wise if you have a doctors note saying you are fit and well enough to travel just to be on the safe side as there is small print in most policies that will state they will only cover you if you are fit and well enough to travel. The doctors note is proof enough of this.

    Bupa Travel complete is the most comprehensive Travel insurance i have seen. It offers 180 days (6 months) worldwide annual cover and for all members under 75 years of age is MHD (Medical history disregarded)which does exactly as it sounds i.e. disregards all your past medical history. With most travel insurance providers you are supposed to inform them of any past/present medical conditions you have. Failure to do so will most probably result in a non payment of claim not only on that condition but any related condition as well. On their own Medical/repatriation/evacuation bills abroad could easily run into tens of thousands of pounds.

    But remember like most travel insurance it's medical emergency treatment only so its not going to cover you for ongoing treatment.

    It also covers business machines up to £2000 i.e. laptops, phones ect (Most travel insurances do not).

    It covers terrorism and natural disasters (most/many travel insurance do not).

    24 Hour world wide helpline staffed by multilingual travel coordinators and medical staff.

    Access to travel, legal and medical information before, during and after each trip.

    Bupa Travel complete is worldwide (anywhere) annual cover.

    The annual premiums are:

    Retail...................... Via A Broker

    Individual £89.00....... £49.00 annually

    Family £159.00.......... £94.00 annually

    If you go via a broker you can get this for individual's and their family's. It used to be just for businesses/groups of 3+

    I have provided a clickable link of the Full benefit table below

    http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/13457083/419xcaxz4sd5eztw5bt
  • I'm debating PMI's primarily around physio diagnosis,treatments and rehab. I train in CrossFit which is quite a high intensity strength and conditioning programme and results in a lot of niggly injuries and the occasion problematic condition. I currently have a shoulder impingement condition that has restricted my overhead exercises (pressing weights/kettlebell swings/ pull ups etc) for months now. I've been referred to a NHS hospital specialist by a private physio after substantial treatment that failed to remedy the condition. I've had a couple of sessions at the hospital and my main concern is the time its all taking. So I was considering whether PMI's would accelerate the treatment/rehab of my condition? I'm also wondering if I will be affected by a pre/existing condition? I've had a quick chat on the phone with Bupa and been informed my employer has a discount with them. £70 approx per month from £95 for the all singing cover. That's without giving him my medical history over the phone though.

    Also what are the implications of not wanting to reveal any sensitive medical history? Do they do their own checks anyway with GP's?
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    They do when you make a claim!
  • Wutang_2
    Wutang_2 Posts: 2,513 Forumite
    Also what are the implications of not wanting to reveal any sensitive medical history?

    The implications are its fraud - and you will only get away with it if your doctor goes along with your excellent plan.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • Wutang wrote: »
    The implications are its fraud - and you will only get away with it if your doctor goes along with your excellent plan.

    I told the guy I was happy for him to get my history from my doctor but I didn't want to have a chat about it with him over the phone. He mentioned a £15 charge to request a medical report from your GP but it's still not nice to have to go over everything you've ever been to your doctor about unless the worst you've ever had is a sniffle.
  • Wutang_2
    Wutang_2 Posts: 2,513 Forumite
    I told the guy I was happy for him to get my history from my doctor but I didn't want to have a chat about it with him over the phone. He mentioned a £15 charge to request a medical report from your GP but it's still not nice to have to go over everything you've ever been to your doctor about unless the worst you've ever had is a sniffle.

    You won't be covered for anything pre-existing. If its something you have had treatment for - you're going to have to wait two years (Pru).

    Anything you have been to the gp about in the last 5 years will not be covered. Despite not having to do a medical to take out PMI, they will check (as has been stated) when you try to claim. If you want to know what you WILL be covered for, take PMI out on a Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) basis.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • fluffpot
    fluffpot Posts: 1,264 Forumite
    Hi there

    I'm thinking of getting PMI as I am self employed, as is my husband, but I am the main wage earner. I am in the trades, so it's important for me to be in good health and to be able to get quick treatment (such as physio) for any injuries. No major medical problems/injuries to date, but I'm cracking on a bit (42!) and wanted some advice as to the type of scheme I should consider, if at all.

    Are there any specially for tradespeople? Or would my job increase my premuim (I'm an electrician). I have worked extensively in the past for local authority and charity sectors and saw that a company called CS Healthcare would offer a 'discount' to me. Are they any good?

    Any advice gratefully received...

    Fluff
  • I never get any answer to my questions on here but here goes!!!

    Any one know the best medical insurance to get maternity cover, and birth of baby???
  • Wutang_2
    Wutang_2 Posts: 2,513 Forumite
    mumof5boys wrote: »
    I never get any answer to my questions on here but here goes!!!

    Any one know the best medical insurance to get maternity cover, and birth of baby???

    All of them usually cover pregnancy complications but not the ongoing care etc. With most you need to have had the policy in place for a year or so before they then include it.

    You will not get an insurance policy to cover giving birth in a private hospital as its not an unforseen circumstance. I think Standard Life offer money towards it (but considering the costs involved, you would need to contribute an awful lot yourself).
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • Wutang_2
    Wutang_2 Posts: 2,513 Forumite
    fluffpot wrote: »
    Hi there

    I'm thinking of getting PMI as I am self employed, as is my husband, but I am the main wage earner. I am in the trades, so it's important for me to be in good health and to be able to get quick treatment (such as physio) for any injuries. No major medical problems/injuries to date, but I'm cracking on a bit (42!) and wanted some advice as to the type of scheme I should consider, if at all.

    Are there any specially for tradespeople? Or would my job increase my premuim (I'm an electrician). I have worked extensively in the past for local authority and charity sectors and saw that a company called CS Healthcare would offer a 'discount' to me. Are they any good?

    Any advice gratefully received...

    Fluff

    Your employment won't affect the cost - its all age related. You need to take a policy out with an amount of outpatient cover so you are seen quickly. Some companies include physio within the outpatient costs - some include physio seperately.

    The cheaper policies on the market are usually inpatient only and would not be best for you as this is just covering the serious stuff (operations etc).

    If you keep yourself fit etc then take a look at Pru (who do I sound like??). They reward you for not somoking, keeping fit and healthy etc and you can see your premiums reduce year on year. They don't have amazing customer service though. NU add physio seperately and in turn if you need to use their physio provision it isnt classed as a claim (which is good too).
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
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