How to go private with Medicash?
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Hi all,
I have been battling with pulsatile tinnitus, plus rosacea and muscle twitching all over my body for the last 1,5 years. On top, I now have daily headaches.
I had a sudden onset of floaters in my eyes, and my astigmatism got worse rapidly within a year.
I have medicash through my employer but I have no idea how to go about it. I was already referred to an ENT specialist on NHS but that was 40 weeks ago. I realise Covid is putting the rest of us on the backlog but things have gotten worse and there is nothing left that I haven't tried to get rid of these.
I also know tinnitus is irreparable but pulsatile tinnitus can be a sign of something else, especially with all the other stuff that I am experiencing.
Does anybody know if it is possible to go to a private specialist without a GP referral when you have medicash (the basic cover)?
Thanks!
I have been battling with pulsatile tinnitus, plus rosacea and muscle twitching all over my body for the last 1,5 years. On top, I now have daily headaches.
I had a sudden onset of floaters in my eyes, and my astigmatism got worse rapidly within a year.
I have medicash through my employer but I have no idea how to go about it. I was already referred to an ENT specialist on NHS but that was 40 weeks ago. I realise Covid is putting the rest of us on the backlog but things have gotten worse and there is nothing left that I haven't tried to get rid of these.
I also know tinnitus is irreparable but pulsatile tinnitus can be a sign of something else, especially with all the other stuff that I am experiencing.
Does anybody know if it is possible to go to a private specialist without a GP referral when you have medicash (the basic cover)?
Thanks!
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Replies
I don't think you can go straight to a consultant but you can go through a private GP first who will then refer you if necessary.
However, if your GP has already referred you for an NHS consultation you could ask for a referral for a private consultant.
Whether your plan will cover the treatment will depend on the value of your plan.
Your plan documents should give you information or contact then through their website https://www.medicash.org
That said, most medical insurers will require you to have been referred by a GP if they are going to pay, certainly for the first consultation.
As you say there is the option of paying for a private GP appointment, probably around £80 to £100 for 20 to 30 mins.
I was re-referred to NHS a week ago, but I am not sure if the clock starts from the beginning with that, so probably 40 more weeks and I just can't wait.
If I ask my GP to send a referral for a private specialist consultation then, and I'm sorry I have no idea how the system works, do I need to then tell which specific consultant they should send the referral to or shall I just ask that to my GP?
You can also ask for a copy of the NHS referral and that they would have to give you for free.
Words, words, they're all we have to go by!.
(Pity they are mangled by this autocorrect!)