BUPA civil service scheme; massive increase in premium aged 65

66iamme

Over three decades ago BUPA sold me health insurance for me and my wife under a Civil Service scheme which involved a large discount on the standard tariff. However, as of this year, 2014/15, BUPA advised me that due to my reaching age 65, the discount was to be cut from 47% to 25%, and my annual premium would rise from £234.50 to £406.75, an increase of 73%. I have no recollection of ever being advised that something like this could happen.



What can I do about this? Do I have a case against BUPA for miss-selling, or on other grounds? Are there others with the same experience? Please advise, and thank you for your help.

Quentin

You can complain but they can charge you what they like.


Better to shop around to see if there is comparable cover elsewhere at a more affordable premium - though expect rises each year from 65 to the grave!

Mrs_pbradley936

I think that is pretty standard. We are in our 60s and are with Aviva for health insurance but will not be having it when we turn 70 because it is far too expensive. We would do better to put what we would pay in premiums into an ISA.


Older friends have also told me that car insurance goes up massively when you get older too - a bit like being a teenage driver is now.

gardner1

66iamme wrote: »

Over three decades ago BUPA sold me health insurance for me and my wife under a Civil Service scheme which involved a large discount on the standard tariff. However, as of this year, 2014/15, BUPA advised me that due to my reaching age 65, the discount was to be cut from 47% to 25%, and my annual premium would rise from £234.50 to £406.75, an increase of 73%. I have no recollection of ever being advised that something like this could happen.



What can I do about this? Do I have a case against BUPA for miss-selling, or on other grounds? Are there others with the same experience? Please advise, and thank you for your help.

here we go again!!!!!
why do you think you've been miss sold
same as all insurance price goes up....you shop around

beedeedee

Have a word with CSHealthcare (which used to be the Civil Service Medical Aid Association, but it's not the same company you joined) - you certainly are not limited to BUPA through them and you may find they suit your needs now? They have been OK for us and yes premiums did go up after 60, but not excessively. Still very satisfied with them. They are also OK with paying out genuine claims.

InsideInsurance

You havent even been sold it, you've been offered a price and its up to you to accept or not. Bupa is an annual policy and each year is distinct and sold on its own basis.

There was no promise in the 1980s at what the next years price was let alone what it will be in three decades time

dunstonh

I have no recollection of ever being advised that something like this could happen.

And with it being over 30 years ago, that is not a surprise. Someone in their 30s is unlikely to take much interest about pricing at 65.

Do I have a case against BUPA for miss-selling, or on other grounds?

If you have evidence that you were told over 30 years ago that prices were guaranteed and since then the price has never changed then you could have a case. That ignores the fact that it is way before financial services regulation and they could choose to reject a complaint without consideration. It would also need to be an advised sale and not non-advised.

So pretty much, no mis-sale and no wrongdoing. Just normal activity with over 60s paying more to reflect the higher risk. They are free to offer their price and you are free to take your business elsewhere if you do not like that price.

Mrs_pbradley936

If cost is a great concern for you then you might want to look at the hospitals you can go to. We used to live in London and for several years after we moved we were still paying for central London hospitals. Our fault because we did not look - but it would very inconvenient to travel to central London for consultations, treatment and visiting. We saved quite a bit by taking out those hospitals.

Mr_K

This might seem a radical idea, but what about the National Health Service ? . If you were seriously ill a private hospital would transfer you to the NHS anyway and you're already paying for it in taxes. Same doctors and same treatment, maybe a slightly nicer room. I know of someone who seriously regretted going privately. When things took a turn for the worse, it involved a long ambulance transfer to a NHS hospital which delayed the treatment he needed and put his life at risk.

66iamme

Thanks to Mr K, Mrs Bradley, dunstonh, InsideInsurance, beebeedee, Gardner1 and Quentin for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

Your responses are well taken, but it is important to consider one point. I expect a gradual rise in premiums as I head past 60, but my complaint is with the near halving in the level of discount applied to the Civil Service Group. It was my understanding that this discount was a constant, not something BUPA could suppress at will. Is there any jurisprudence applicable in this case as to what I could reasonably expect from BUPA?

dunstonh

66iamme wrote: »

Thanks to Mr K, Mrs Bradley, dunstonh, InsideInsurance, beebeedee, Gardner1 and Quentin for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

Your responses are well taken, but it is important to consider one point. I expect a gradual rise in premiums as I head past 60, but my complaint is with the near halving in the level of discount applied to the Civil Service Group. It was my understanding that this discount was a constant, not something BUPA could suppress at will. Is there any jurisprudence applicable in this case as to what I could reasonably expect from BUPA?

Evidence is the key to any complaint you make that is based on your understanding.

What do you have to support your understanding? i.e. a letter telling you it, a brochure etc