BUPA and Care Fees

dick_turpin

Firstly I apologise if this is in the wrong section..,..it seemed most appropriate.
The NHS has just announced a £44 increase in nursing element for funded nursing care (FNC). To reflect that BUPA has immediately increased its residential care home fee by the same amount. We are self funding my father in a BUPA home.
I seek the views of MSE users on this action of BUPA to increase its fees based on the NHS action. Interestingly BUPA has failed to tell it's customers that this increase is being reviewed again and may result in it being reduced........will they then reduce their fees?????

Thoughts appreciated.

Jillyg_2

I received our letter from BUPA about this today and I am absolutely disgusted by it. My mother has been in her care home for 3 years now and in her first 2 years any increase in the FNC was repaid to us and BUPA kept the care fees the same. This year they have increased by amazingly the same amount as the NHS increase in FNC. This, after we have already seen an increase from 2015 of 8.48%. By then increasing the care fees further it means it's now almost a 13%increase over last year.

I immediately contacted the helpline on the letter.....no reply so I phoned again and left a message on the voice mail of Rebecca Pearson, Operstions Director. No response as yet....

I have also sent an email to the BUPA area manager to voice my disapproval of this inconsistent and unfair allocation of the FNC increase. No response as yet.

I called Age UK to see if they had any information. They were not aware of this but have informed their policy team of the decision BUPA has taken. They also suggested contacting the CQC and Relatives and Residents assoc. I called the latter this afternoon and have sent copies of all correspondence on FNC increases over the years.

Next step will be watchdog or similar. I would like to say my mums MP but frankly after the last response I had from him about the star of the care homes in Sandwell, was not worth the time of day.

The increase pails into insignificance but it's the principle of them taking as much as possible from those who have to pay. Having to pay another amount to the NHS is another rant for another time....

dick_turpin

Thank you for replying Jilly
I have emailed my MP about this. I can't believe that in financially difficult times the NHS intended to be so generous to the care provider. Am I missing something??
Please keep me updated with any information you receive and I will do likewise.

Regards

dick_turpin

Interesting.......

http://www.beaconchc.co.uk/care-homes-pass-new-nursing-care-savings-clients-says-beacon-chc/

jennifer50

Did you get anywhere with this matter? I too am a self-funder with a parent in a private care home. The increase in the FNC is not being deducted from the weekly room rate and I cannot get an answer as to why, or where the increase is going....

dick_turpin

Hi Jennifer
Are you dealing with BUPA also?
I am due a response from NHS any day... That should shed some light if the carer is expected to 'sieze' this payment.
You may be aware that the increase is due for review soon... BUPA won't confirm what its intention is should the review decrease the contribution!!!
D

jennifer50

No it is a smaller company. I have only just started to question why the increase is not passed on to self-funders. It is not a large amount compared to the weekly room rate, but if there are several hundred self-funders getting this increase the profit to the organisation is quite substantial.....Surely there should be a rule on this, rather than each company does as it please.