BUPA - Buyer beware

Loxy1

Hi,

Just wanted to share my experience with BUPA-

I've been with them over 4 years now and not needed them, unfortunately I now need a couple of relatively small procedures.

BUPA advised that I would need to have each consultation pre-authorised and that if I didn't do this then they wouldn't pay. Armed withthis knowledge I absolutely ensured that I followed all their procedures.

I have the pre-authorisaton letter in front of me and questioned avidly on the phone.


Today i received a letter from BUPA, they are refusing to pay the first procedure that they authorised, their impersonal letter advises via notes 1 and 2.


Note 1 states " Under the terms of the scheme no benefit is payable" Note 2 states "under the terms of your scheme we are unable to pay this claim as prior pre-authorisation is required"

So after confirming tht my treatment was covered and having the pre-authorisation letter sitting in front of me the nice people from BUPA are trying to wriggle out of it.

This seems like a total rip off to me,

I'm supposed to have an operation in two weeks, I have the letter from BUPA pre- authorising this too but I daren't go through with it now, at least not with BUPA.

[FONT=&quot]If you value your health I would AVOID[/FONT], if they display such an apparent lack of integrity to avoid paying and such a level of dis regard for their customers I personally don't think its worth risking your health with them.

Freddie_Snowbits

Old man, died March 27th 2001.

Private health insurance is good for the first time you get a condition. Get a repeat of cancer, you're on your own.

Old lady died 1st December 1985.

Private health insurance is good forth first tine you get the condition. Get a repeat of cancer, you're on your own.

Me Thank fugness BUPA will not insure me, saved a fortune. Now aged 49 . Mum died aged 42 .

hollydays

But apart from telling you you needed to get a letter,did you establish in the first instance that you had a level of cover that would pay for this?Surely it's black and white,either you are covered or you are not.Different policies have different cover,my policy says I have to be referred to a consultant before they will look at it.Usually they wouyld send you a form to fill in before you do anything,not just over the phone.

fluffnutter

What's wrong with the NHS?

Oliver14

fluffnutter wrote: »

What's wrong with the NHS?

How long have you got?

fluffnutter

Oliver14 wrote: »

How long have you got?

Nye Bevan's vision of a free at point of use national health service was revolutionary. If it doesn't work that's for two reasons - 1. we're living longer hence the cost of medical care rises every year and 2. governments piss about with it, introducing fund-sapping bureaucracy.

If, however, you merely think the NHS is rubbish and doesn't do a good job of caring for this nation's health, then please ensure you wear a sign at all times advising of this in the event that you have a heart attack, or sever an artery or get trapped in a smashed up car so that the paramedics, doctors, nurses etc. can save a bit of money and move on to the next person.

nomoneytoday

fluffnutter wrote: »

What's wrong with the NHS?

We're still waiting 6 weeks on for an appointment to be made..Telephoned the hospital, passed around 5 people only to find that "there's a backlog due to holidays and sickness" !

Freddie_Snowbits

Oliver14 wrote: »

How long have you got?

NHS wife diagnosed with Cancer April 2010, dealt with May 2010. Waithnjing this December for all clear.

Freda's previous conditions make BUPA look like a laughing stock. Can she now get BUPA.


Why was that cat I left in the Parish, I am sure it will cross my path again before BUPA et el come along.

Life, Medical Insurance Fantastic aged 23 and you are fit and healthy, 33, bit mpore expensive and f impossible shoudl your Parent die young. NEXT

Freddie_Snowbits

OH and when Freddie came of his push bike, ripping his arm apart, he was seen and stitched up there and then. The Sheep cleansed nobrity whom had a sore finger was amiss why I jumped the queue and his operation to remve an ingrowing finger nail, Perchance my are being a bit blooody at the time meant I could. He was miffed even though the sign did dtate that while they would try and treaty you on your alloted time, other cases may perclude this.

paddyrg

nomoneytoday wrote: »

We're still waiting 6 weeks on for an appointment to be made..Telephoned the hospital, passed around 5 people only to find that "there's a backlog due to holidays and sickness" !

I assume that's not for cancer or another critical condition which they naturally prioritise. And if hospital staff are sick, do you *really* want them showing up for work? Fact is, someone *will* see you, for free, and that is a f****** result to my mind, one that most of the world would give everything for.

Apples2

The beauty of Private is that you are not waiting for a letter to drop on the hallway floor telling you when you are going under the knife.
You can sit and arrange a date for your OP at a time convenient for you (gives you time to arrange suitable time off work).

You can also interrogate the surgeons cedentials and history of performing the OP as opposed to just turning up without knowing if you are this guys first effort at performing this procedure. The private surgeon has to "sell" himself to you.

I'm not with BUPA but the requirements sound the same. Phone up and ensure you have an approved reference number issued by 'Bupa' for the claim to be upheld. It should also be followed up in writing by them to you detailing the ref no.
With that Reference number, I can't see how they can deny the claim.