Need some Advice

GotPrincess

Im aware it's not in the correct forum however it's the closest I could find if anyone can point me to somewhere outside MSE I would be grateful.

Im contemplating taking out Bupa Medical insurance now I have hit my mid 40's I dont have any issues as such that I would consider life threatening however I recently was diagnosed with a under active thyroid and am beiong treated for such.

I have issues with walking distances my calves cramp at the side after a little bit of google GP I think I could have what is called peripheral artery disease (PAD) now I could go to the GP however I have zero faith in the diagnosis skills and the NHS in general these days and was thinking if I joined a service like Bupa I could get it investigated under there cover as I've not been diagnosed and not reported anything to any medical professional so I wouldnt be lying about underlying conditions.

Would anyone reccomend using BUPA or any other helath care provider in the sector to get this and future stuff tackled rather than going down the NHS route where it could be ignored, disregarded or misdiagnosed?

DullGreyGuy

You are suffering symptoms and therefore it would be excluded... its symptoms that matter not diagnosis. 

For BUPA etc you still need a referral and if you waited a couple of months and then lied to your GP the symptoms started last week it's unlikely they will say you need to see a consultant. 

Insurance covers you for something that hasn't happened yet, you cannot bet on a race thats already been run. 

Note corporate schemes may be different as some do cover pre-existing conditions. 

mexican_dave

DullGreyGuy said:

You are suffering symptoms and therefore it would be excluded... its symptoms that matter not diagnosis...
Insurance covers you for something that hasn't happened yet...

I agree with DullGreyGuy. You say you have no faith in the NHS and seem willing to throw money at health insurance? As DullGreyGuy says that's pointless for what you describe as a pre-existing condition.
From what you tell us, ask your GP for a private consultation (one you are prepared to pay for) or seek out Private Practice GP (if yours won't) and ask their opinion and press for referral to a Private Consultant (for the condition the GP suspects). You will pay for both, but you might get some reassurance, rather than insurance. If you genuinely need medical attention then you can find out if the NHS offer the treatment (most consultants are honest) or if you have to pay for treatment. Sometimes a private consultant has an "NHS list", if you are lucky and thinks your condition serious they will put you on their NHS waiting list, result! Good luck!

DullGreyGuy

mexican_dave said:
Sometimes a private consultant has an "NHS list", if you are lucky and thinks your condition serious they will put you on their NHS waiting list, result!

As far as I am aware almost every consultant in private practice also does NHS work. If you look at the two "mens health" surgeons at The Clinic where Charlie's just had his prostate done, one also works at UCL NHS Hospital and the other at the Royal Free NHS Hospital. The difference is by going to The Clinic you see them personally, by going to either of the NHS hospitals you are more likely to see a registrar that works for them and a different one each visit. 

Having a newly developed chronic condition myself was referred to a NHS hospital but it had a 9 month wait so used the same referral letter to use my PMI to see one of the same consultants at the private hospital next door. PMI did all the diagnostic tests, given me a diagnosis and initial treatment. 6 months later and had my NHS appointment with the same consultant who will do the long term care under the NHS. 

That in part was planning by me to choose the private consultant that worked at the neighbouring NHS hospital as one of the other consultants worked on the other side of London for their NHS work.