Bupa

sgx.saint

Hey All.

I was just wondering how much I would be lookin at roughly if I was to take out Bupa Health insurance. I know they do a few different levels of protection, but just wanted to get an idea from people who already have Bupa cover how much per month it would cost in premiums.

Thanks

Bossyboots

Its calculated individually so it is difficult to say but I pay just under £700 per year for full cover through my OH's work scheme. That covers me for pre-existing conditions as well and the scheme adminsitrator can authorise exceeding the out patient limit. If you take out a personal scheme with them you don't get either of those.

Although their customer service is pretty good, I found it tough going when I needed to start the process of treatment. They were unhelpful about finding a consultant, telling me my GP had a list, which was untrued. As I had already seen a consultant on the NHS, I tracked him down and got the referral done to him at his private clinic. They only authorised one consultation and one follow up which frankly is useless. We managed to work it so that we had two scenarios to avoid me having to go to the clinic for the test results and wasting a consultation. It was decided I would have an operation and at what was a very worrying time for me, I did find BUPA less than helpful. I had to supply them with the treatment code, the name of the anaethnestist and the date of the operation. I had none of those so had to ring the clinic. The nurse was helpful and said to ask her anything I needed to know. She hadn't realised I hadn't done this before otherwise she would have sorted me out at my appointment. I rang the details through to BUPA who firstly said they didn't have a record of the anaethnetist at the hospital and then said they would only pay £145 towards his fee. This meant I was going to have to top his fee up which I was a bit upset about, as this was something I had no control over. In the event, they did actually meet his full fee so I can only assume that the customer services lady I spoke to got it wrong. I presume that because she couldn't find him on their list she applied the rule about a maximum fee. I was also told that the pre-op assessment would come out of my out-patient allowance too but that also turned out not to be the case.

In the end, all the bills were settled by BUPA direct with everyone, consultant, hospital etc. so I had no worries about that. As I have had to go back because the op hasn't resolved my problem, they have agreed to further expense so the system does work, they just seem to expect you to know how and have all the information for them without, in my view, sufficient guidance on what to do.

Hope my experience helps you or someone else when making a decision.

kiwigirl

Hi - I've been with BUPA for 2 years now but can't really comment as I've not had to claim anything (touch wood). They were however willing to cover existing injury and condition (if I fall and injure a joint I could have to have major surgery to correct it only from a small fall). I've also had 2 previous operations on an injury and they were willing to insure me. I pay £20 pm, but I'm under 30.

However, my mum was with AXA through her work and I would thoroughly recommend that - they've paid for all her cancer treatment, and I'm talking £3-4 k per go on chemotherapy and she had 8 doses, 3 operations, scans, no trouble. However for her to get the treatment personally now it would cost her £120 pm.

sgx.saint

Thanks for the replies.

Can you cancel a Bupa policy at any point in time, even after say you make a claim?

SparkyG

Take a look at Norwich Union Healthcare. I've been with them for about 5 years now and have had a lot of claims. They have been brilliant, authorising most claims quickly over the phone without having to fill in claim forms. They pay the hospital/consultant direct, so I've not even had to pay and then re-claim charges.

We (my husband and myself), have just changed to a 'trust care' policy, and we pay £150 a month. We are both in our 50's, and unfortunately the premiums rise a lot with each passing year! To keep the premiums down we have opted for a £100 excess, and can only use private hospitals which come under their partnered NHS trust hospital. In our case, that is exactly the same BMI hospital as I have always used, which is excellent, and in which I have 100% confidence.

Hope I have explained that ok, but have a look at their website and see for yourself. I have absolutely no complaints about the company, and do not hesitate to recommend them as good value for money.

HTH
Dazz

sgx.saint

Ok, from the information you kind people have provided me with and some general research there are three possible options for Private Healthcare Insurance.

Bupa
Prudential (Through Quidco for Cashback)
AXA Healthcare

Now the reason I want Private Healthcare is so that I can get myself thoroughly checked out in relation to a current medical problem. I went to my local GP with mild tremors (hands, legs). After two visits, he has diagnosed me with Benign Essential Tremor, however refuses to refer me to a Neurologist.

So for peace of mind, and to save on waiting times, I would like to go private.

So, would I just need to sign up to one of the healthcare providers, then explain this to them and then ask for a referal?

As mentioned, say in 6 months time, could I just cancel the insurance if I no longer required it?

Thanks

Bossyboots

Policies are usually for 12 months so if you cancel before that, I would imagine there would be admin fees to pay but as long as you haven't had treatment then it will up to the individual companies whether they let you cancel.

How the system works (for BUPA at least) is that your GP has to make the referral. Without this, you are not covered under the policy so it looks like you are on a non-starter anyway unless your GP is more amenable to a referral on a private basis.

However, I spent an incredible amount of time looking for a way around the issue of pre-existing conditions. I am surprised kiwigirl has got cover for a pre-existing condition and I have to ask whether that cover is immediate.

The usual position of pre-existing conditions is that they will cover them subject to a moritoriam. For BUPA (and the others I looked at) this means that they will cover the condition after a period of time (I think it was two years). During that time however you must suffer no symptoms, take no medication and receive no medical advice for the condition. Once you have been clear for the two years they will then allow you to seek treatment through your policy.

Therefore, unless things have changed in the last 12 months or kiwigirl can point you in the direction of a retrospective policy, you are not currently in a position to join and make a claim from BUPA in respect of your current illness.

sgx.saint

Thanks for that in-depth information Bossyboots, really has helped.

I am no longer taking on Private Health insurance if I can't get any benefit from it in relation to current ongoing issues.

Bossyboots

As you were happy to fund a policy, why don't you seek a private consultation with a neurologist anyway? You may be able to self referral for a consult or again, your GP may be amenable to refer you in these circumstances. If the outcome of that appointment is a recommendation for tests and treatment then you can go back to your GP and get yourself referred on the NHS. Your consultant will report back to your GP so that should be enough to convince him that you need further investigation and get the referral.

sgx.saint

I'm back at my GP tomorrow, the first GP I spoke to said she would be willing to refer me, if I personally wanted a referal.

But the second GP was not willing to refer me. I shall see if I can get a referal tomorrow via the NHS, if not I might consider a private referal as you suggested.