BUPA vs Pruhealth ? need advice!

kronas

anyone here have policies with either of these firms ? im looking at joining a health insurance company and some family members and the two seem to be good from the websites but what about in practice ?

any advice, tips, or even help outside of the two listed companies would also be greatfully appreciated!

mattymoo

I have a corporate policy with BUPA. Not really a fair comparison because the corporates tend to have better terms, i.e. pre-existing conditions are ignored.

I can comment on their admin though. Had a batch of tests last year that needed 4 private hospital visits / consultations. In each case, the authorisation was given over the phone and was usually pre-emptive. I'll give you an example of what I mean.

I have an eye condition related to vascular problems (clot in the eye, causing temp blindness). The initial visit with the opthalmic consultant diagnosed this. He referred me on to a cardiologist. I then needed a Trans Osophageal Echocardiogram and vascular scan.

When I phoned for approval for the cardiologist visit, they gave authority for the consultation, any blood tests needed and ultrasounds (based on the initial diagnosis). This meant I did not have to keep going back for additional approvals each time. Approval covered a period of 6 months.

I had a free choice of hospitals and used my local Capio private hospital. Providing they approve the specialist, they had no problem with this. No insistence on using BUPA hospitals.

All in all I was quite impressed and well treated throughout.

shelly

Hubby and I are both covered with BUPA through his work. We have the top level of cover but existing conditions or conditions that occur from an existing condition are not covered.

My experience of them overall has been excellent. I was able to choose when I had my surgery and where. I was treated like royalty whilst I was in hospital, matter of fact the food wasn't what I was used to at home, was quite posh I have to see my consultant every 3 months and the authorisation codes last for 6 months so you don't have to call them everytime you have an appointment. You do need seperate codes for each doctor or specialist you see though.

I can't fault them at all.

justme111

kronas wrote: »

anyone here have policies with either of these firms ? im looking at joining a health insurance company and some family members and the two seem to be good from the websites but what about in practice ?

any advice, tips, or even help outside of the two listed companies would also be greatfully appreciated!

Sorry no advice here - I myself try to figure out what I need. It would help me to know why have you preselected these 2 ?

kronas

justme111 wrote: »

Sorry no advice here - I myself try to figure out what I need. It would help me to know why have you preselected these 2 ?

they seem to be the best two, however, seen as they dont cater to pre-existing conditions, or ones that manifest themselves from a pre-existing one then it maybe a next to useless thing!

mountainofdebt

Well I am a member of Beneden and although you can't use their services immediately, they only charge a flat £1.25 per week regardless of age.

Those people who have used their services thoroughly recommend them and you get to use BUPA facilities as well

dunstonh

Can you confirm what type of insurance you are talking about. Both these providers offer PMI and PHI.

PMI = private medical insurance
PHI = permanent health insurance.

I suspect it is PMI but you did say health insurance.

Both providers in both areas offer mutliple levels of cover (typically put into budget, standard and comprehensive - although group schemes can differ). Neither came out top in the last research review done on them. Although both were at the top end of the charts.

justme111

kronas wrote: »

they seem to be the best two, however, seen as they dont cater to pre-existing conditions, or ones that manifest themselves from a pre-existing one then it maybe a next to useless thing!

None of insurances cover peexisting conditions, at least I haven't come across any. BUT : with AXA you have them covered if you haven't been treated for them for 2 years. Obviously if you've got hypertension - bad luck, you'd be on constant treatment.
BTW on self-insurance plan it will teke me about 80 (!) years to put the money aside for 1 year of herceptin if I pay at the same rate as been quoted by AXA. So I don't see any point.

Sorry for being such a pest: what exactly is the best about them?
Beneden:
"Unfortunately, we can’t :
...

• Provide surgery for arterial, cardiac, neurological or complex orthopaedic problems"

With all insurances it is not very clear what they will cover exactly but with this plan it looks even worse.
Grrr, I understand it is a value for money
Dunstonh, could please advise me how I could get more detailed info about thereviews?

kronas

well i dont have anything majorly wrong with me or the family members who i would like covered, im open to other insurers suggestions, but im more centered on digestive diseases, heart, organs, blood, physically we are ok interms of mobility, but some cover is needed there, cancer, etc.

justme111

kronas wrote: »

well i dont have anything majorly wrong with me or the family members who i would like covered, im open to other insurers suggestions, but im more centered on digestive diseases, heart, organs, blood, physically we are ok interms of mobility, but some cover is needed there, cancer, etc.

Sorry if I sounded like enquiring about your medical history, I did not meen it.:D . I was asking WHY have you chosen 2 insurance companies- bupa and pruhealth out of douznes. You told me " because they seemed to be the best" to what I replied with question " what exactly is beter about them". I hoped you have done the research already.

nickmack

kronas wrote: »

anyone here have policies with either of these firms ? im looking at joining a health insurance company and some family members and the two seem to be good from the websites but what about in practice ?

any advice, tips, or even help outside of the two listed companies would also be greatfully appreciated!

I've got Corporate PruHealth, so I'm not sure what differences there are to consumer policies.

Obviously the policy is important, but I haven't made a claim before, so can't comment on the experience. I know you can use some Bupa as well as other private hospitals.

Additionally, I get cashback for each claim free year and free gym membership. By completing questionnaires and health checks, you can attain a higher membership level and get additional benefits.