Is Bupa still generally seen as the best medical insurer?

GustyGardenGalaxy

With the NHS having severe problems I'm currently thinking of taking out medical insurance for myself and am wondering if Bupa is still generally seen as the best in that field?

I would be going for pretty extensive cover but I don't want an insurer who does their utmost to find ways of avoiding paying for claims. Or can Bupa be like that too?

My health is very 'average' at best.

Thanks

TELLIT01

With most medical insurance, pre-existing conditions are excluded either permanently or for x years after the last experience of the symptoms.  I don't think there is any definitive 'best' as everybody's medical situation is different.

DullGreyGuy

GustyGardenGalaxy said:

With the NHS having severe problems I'm currently thinking of taking out medical insurance for myself and am wondering if Bupa is still generally seen as the best in that field?

I would be going for pretty extensive cover but I don't want an insurer who does their utmost to find ways of avoiding paying for claims. Or can Bupa be like that too?

My health is very 'average' at best.

Most insurers offer a range of policies from budget/limited cover to full fat with all the bells and whistles. Where you buy on the spectrum is probably more important than who the insurer is. 

Have made claims with both Axa and Bupa, both were surprisingly simple claims processes without any need to provide medical history or such to get the claim approved, in most cases it happens instantly. The only slight issue I had was when we had a claim for inpatient treatment and Bupa initially approved 7 days, fairly quickly the consultant said it would need to be longer and I thought I had to call Bupa so did. They advised actually they'd consult directly with the doctor but the proposed treatment plan was much longer than their normal guidance. In the end it was a non-issue, it was extended for the full time the Dr had said was required and then extended again. 

If you are buying it as a private individual then anything already existing won't be covered, or at best only covered after X years of you being symptom, medication and appointment free. If you are able to get it via an employers scheme there are more options there depending on what the employer has wanted to offer. 

prowla

Some years ago I had some dental work done at a Bupa hospital.

They sent me a bill for an X-Ray, but I pointed out the work was all-inclusive.

The consultant confirmed.

I received another copy of the bill.

I pointed out the work was all-inclusive.

I then received a bill from a debt collector.

I told them the work was all-inclusive.

They refused to accept that and kept hassling me.

I went back to the consultant and they physically went to the Bupa accounts team and had them remove the charge.

My continued impression of Bupa is to group them alongside the parking scammers.

A few years later I had some dental work done at a private practice and was quite pleased with them.

However, they were in the process of being taken over by Bupa and I never went back.

GustyGardenGalaxy

Thanks for the replies.