Private Health Insurance - Advice?

Tomby1

I've been browsing through the private health insurers in the UK and am struggling to find a recent bias-free comparison between the providers.

I've been looking at BUPA & Pru Health - but Pru Health don't seem to have many facilities close to me (Writtle, Essex) so have been leaning towards BUPA. Are there any major sneaky T&Cs with BUPA?

Or, any other private healthcare providers that are better than the two above (and why?)

Thanks

weighty1_2

Why not speak to a specialist broker? Private Medical Insurance via a broker will ordinarily be priced the same as going direct so you have nothing to lose by speaking to a professional.

I advice on life/critical illness/income protection plans but have never delved into PMI due to all the nuances between providers and between different plans with the same provider.

I really think it's an area for specialist advice.

Tomby1

Can you recommend any advisors/brokers?

Wutang_2

Tomby1 wrote: »

I've been browsing through the private health insurers in the UK and am struggling to find a recent bias-free comparison between the providers.

I've been looking at BUPA & Pru Health - but Pru Health don't seem to have many facilities close to me (Writtle, Essex) so have been leaning towards BUPA. Are there any major sneaky T&Cs with BUPA?

Or, any other private healthcare providers that are better than the two above (and why?)

Thanks

Avoid BUPA and Health On Line. PruHealth have all the hospitals so not sure what you're saying...

Exeter rule but are expensive and CS healthcare have almost gone bust.

Aviva and AXA are alright too but are keen to throw in 6 week options.

Any more??:money:

Tomby1

Wutang wrote: »

Avoid BUPA and Health On Line. PruHealth have all the hospitals so not sure what you're saying...

Exeter rule but are expensive and CS healthcare have almost gone bust.

Aviva and AXA are alright too but are keen to throw in 6 week options.

Any more??:money:

Why avoid BUPA?

PruHealth have less hospitals around me (Writtle, Chelmsford) There's only one within 5 miles for PruHealth, whereas there are 6 BUPA hospitals within 5 miles. The nearest 'health check' location for PruHealth is 22 miles away, in central London, whereas the nearest BUPA health check location is 5 miles away and easy to get to.

Wutang_2

Name these 'bupa' hospitals. I know of one in the uk. If you're already brainwashed then don't ask the question.

Also, health checks are nothing to do with medical insurance.

Tomby1

Wutang wrote: »

Name these 'bupa' hospitals. I know of one in the uk. If you're already brainwashed then don't ask the question.

Also, health checks are nothing to do with medical insurance.

Sorry, I didn't clarify. You get money off the health check so it is a factor in my choosing.

They aren't Bupa hospitals, they are merely hospitals available to use.

BUPA

Priory Hospital Chelmsford (The) Stump Lane, Springfield Green, CHELMSFORD, CM1 7SJ 2.02 miles

Springfield Hospital (Chelmsford) Lawn Lane, Springfield, CHELMSFORD 2.02 miles

Broomfield Hospital Court Road, Broomfield, CHELMSFORD, CM1 7ET 2.02 miles

St John's Hospital Wood Street, CHELMSFORD 3.41 miles

Chelmsford Medical Centre Fenton House, 85-89 New London Road, CHELMSFORD 3.41 miles

PruHealth

THE PRIORY MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL CHELMSFORD

+

RAMSAY SPRINGFIELD HOSPITAL

= 3 more hospitals/medical centres locally

Is there any actual reason why I shouldn't consider Bupa?

somethingcorporate

None that I know of, we had BUPA for ages when we lived in the south east and used our PMI a number of times and the service was exemplary.

Now on Pru, had equally good service.

dollywops

We were with Pru Health, but our renewal was so expensive, we have moved to Aviva, via usaycompare. We have saved a lot of money and actually have superior cover. The broker with whom I dealt was very knowledgeable and very helpful.

Wutang_2

Look up bupa fee guidelines and enjoy....

Avoid bupa and get proper medical insurance.

Tomby1

What fee guidelines are you referring to? Excess is yearly and not per issue and diagnosis and many treatments are paid in full?

& thanks very much somethingcorporate & dollywops - glad to hear you had no issues with claiming. I had considered Aviva but hadn't heard great things about them so wasn't sure on them.