AXA PPP/Bupa et all

wanderlust35

I am looking for some feedback from anyone who currently has private medical insurance in an attempt to try and ascertain if taking out the policy will be worthwhile to me.

I have been keen to take out a policy largely because if something quite severe were to happen, I would like the opportunity to have access to the treatment/specialists I need as soon as possible. Additionally, more specifically to AXA PPP, the ability to see a private GP is also quite appealing given the wait times at my NHS practice.

To those that have this type of insurance, is it worth the cost? How easy/difficult are the claim processes? Any recommendations on insurance provider would also be gratefully received.

Many thanks

rs65

I’ve had PMI for years but always as a benefit so pay tax on its cost rather than the full cost. Don’t think I would pay the full cost.

The claims process is easy.

The NHS is more likely to be useful for serious things. PMI in my opinion comes into its own when nhs would have a waiting time. PMI gets you seen a lot sooner.

engineer_amy

ive had PMI through my job for the last 14 years. With Bupa and Prudential/Vitality during that time.
As a 32 yo female non smoker with very few health issues prior to taking the insurance, my premium was only £29 pm. Work pays half, I pay half through my wage each month, and my tax code is adjusted for the amount paid for by work. The premium varies slightly year on year depending on the value of claims on the group policy in the preceding year, or how much I have negotiated or shopped around.


There are different types and levels of cover - it really depends how much you want to pay and what will benefit you. Our current cover is Vitality and has full cover for Cancer treatments as standard, some insurers will only cover up to a certain value in a year. We don't include private dental, but do have travel insurance included.


Generally, most insurers will ask you to fill in a medical questionnaire on your history and may exclude any claims for treatments related to recent/pre-existing conditions (Continuing Personal Medical Exclusions) e.g. I injured my right knee years ago, before taking the insurance, I declared this on the form and now my insurance certificate states "Excludes any treatment on right knee". This keeps costs down. You can also get full cover to include previous injuries/conditions but would be more expensive. The middle ground is a Moratorium cover - your pre-existing conditions are not covered for (say) the first 2 years of cover.


In my opinion it is well worth the cost. In 2013, I had gallstones and had a very severe attack one sunday evening. I called Bupa the next morning and was able to book a consultation and ultrasound for that same evening. 9 days later I was getting my gallbladder removed via keyhole surgery in a nice private hospital with a private room. It could not have been quicker or a smoother process. All I had to do was call Bupa to get an authorisation number, and pass this to my hospital. The billing was all taken care of between the hospital and the insurer, I didn't have to get involved.


Depending on the insurer (or your specific plan), you may have an excess to pay - you would pay this to the hospital/consultant directly on receipt of an invoice. I didn't have this, but some colleagues chose the excess option as it kept their monthly premiums lower.


I haven't yet tried Axa PPP, but Vitality also have the option of 2/3 online GP consultations and referrals per year rather than waiting on your own GP