A newbie question about Bupa health insurance?

fantasyvn

I've just subscribed to Bupa health insurance, courtesy of my company. Essentially, I will pay 100 pounds per month.

Then, today for the first time, I called Bupa to ask to see a consultant. (I already got an open referral letter from my GP).

But the officer on the phone told me that my facial skin problem was from last year, before I took out Bupa scheme so I won't be covered.

I have a few problems that I had hoped a Bupa consultant will be best to answer. But then, all of them were before my Bupa membership. So right now, I cannot think of any way to use it.

My colleague told me that in the long run, I will still need Bupa so I should not cancel my membership.

Is this long-term fear justifiable or should I cancal Bupa and only use NHS?

My sincere thanks,

HLT_2

Hi Fantasvyn, my Dad had lots of health problems (including a kidney transplant), before taking out a BUPA plan for a new job he got. All the stuff he had had previously was obviously not covered. A few years into it he had a heart attack and was told he needed a triple bypass. He claimed on his BUPA policy and was in hospital the next day being prepped for the opp rather than waiting weeks for the NHS. I can't say if it's worth keeping or not in your case but here is an example of why it may be worth it in the long run. Hope this helps.

fantasyvn

Hi HLT, your advice makes sense. I think I'll keep my Bupa membership for now.

My sincere thanks,

meer53

Bupa is always a long term commitment really, previous health issues are not covered as you have found out already. I have BUPA through my company and have used it 3 times in the past, i don't pay anything like £100 per month, so for me it's really worth it, my last operation would have been into 5 figures if i'd had to pay for it. Mine covers my children too. As you get older, you start to realise what a benefit it could be I'm glad i have mine.

Wutang_2

fantasyvn wrote: »

Hi HLT, your advice makes sense. I think I'll keep my Bupa membership for now.

My sincere thanks,

£100 is a lot if you are not benefitting from medical-history-disregard (which the majority of group schemes are). If you are not, then you WILL find cover cheaper and much better elsewhere depending on your age...

And meer, sorry, why is Bupa a long term commitment??

meer53

Wutang wrote: »

£100 is a lot if you are not benefitting from medical-history-disregard (which the majority of group schemes are). If you are not, then you WILL find cover cheaper and much better elsewhere depending on your age...

And meer, sorry, why is Bupa a long term commitment??

What i meant was that you take it out on a long term basis, not just to cover existing situations and then cancel it. This is obviously why pre existing conditions are not covered. Or thats how i see it anyway. I've had it for years and feel that as i get older it will be more of a benefit for me.

The consultant who did my operation also carries out the same procedure on NHS patients which is the same in a lot of hospitals i'm sure. The main benefit for me was the waiting time was cut drastically. A bonus if you're in pain every day.

fantasyvn

Hi Wutang, why do you think £100 is too much? Could you pls let me know which other scheme of Bupa is cheaper?

I really don't know, as the whole scheme is arranged by my company, which takes payment directly out of my salary every month. Maybe I have to pay for a premium.

I would appreciate your advice. I would like a scheme which can help with common, scary problems like cancer, lung problems, etc.

My current scheme includes many types of mental health treatment, which is of no use to me.

My sincere thanks,

Annisele

fantasyvn wrote: »

My current scheme includes many types of mental health treatment, which is of no use to me.

Unfortunately you can't be certain of that. There are some mental health problems that are unlikely to suddenly appear in adults - in the same way that you won't be diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 53. However, other mental health problems can strike anyone at any age.

NHS provision for mental health issues can be patchy - frankly, if I could have private cover for cancer or for mental health, I'd take the mental health cover and leave the NHS to cover cancer.

meer53

fantasyvn wrote: »

Hi Wutang, why do you think £100 is too much? Could you pls let me know which other scheme of Bupa is cheaper?

I really don't know, as the whole scheme is arranged by my company, which takes payment directly out of my salary every month. Maybe I have to pay for a premium.

I would appreciate your advice. I would like a scheme which can help with common, scary problems like cancer, lung problems, etc.

My current scheme includes many types of mental health treatment, which is of no use to me.

My sincere thanks,

Has your employer provided you with a booklet which explains what is and isnt covered ? Ask them for one, you may find it covers lots of things, it won't just cover mental health.

I've used mine for two operations on my knees, and once for my son when he was small when he needed a circumcision for medical, not religious reasons ! All these things are available via the NHS but with Bupa we were seen much faster than normal. In the case of my knees, the operations, if done on the NHS, would have involved a long wait and as i was in pain constantly i was glad i had the Bupa cover. I need further surgery on my knees and will use Bupa again.

ACG

Are you looking for actual medication etc or just a specialist to look at your GPs notes and come up with a diagnosis and recommend the best form of medication?

Ive highlighted recommend instead of saying pay for, for a reason.

fantasyvn

Hi meer53, I will ask for a booklet. I was told that cancer treatment will be paid in full.

@ACG: It all depends on the price. Like I said earlier, I want to know if there is a scheme which will treats all your problems, even if they existed before you join the scheme.