Health Insurance with pre existing conditions

skint_skint_skint

Hi,
I realise most insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions but I thought I post this anyway on the off chance that any of you have any information on this matter.
I have a chronic disease called endometriosis I have had some treatment and surgery on the NHS, however for the past year I have been so ill that I am unable to work and I am on incapacity benefit. My condition has deteriorated and I have to wait many months for appointments on the NHS which is why I am considering private treatment; just because its faster. I cannot afford the private consultation/treatment fees myself so I have looked into health plans.
I have found one health plan/cash back scheme that says it will cover pre-existing conditions however it covers things like dental and optician charges which I don't require. Cash plans, I am lead to understand, are not like health insurance in that they not cover hospital or surgical charges.
If you anyone knows anything about this please let me know. :cool:

jonesMUFCforever

Do you really expect to sign up for a policy and then expect them to meet the costs of your treatment in full straight away.

IMO this will not happen.

Save what money you have and contact your MP.

Joey122

skint_skint_skint wrote: »

Hi,
I realise most insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions but I thought I post this anyway on the off chance that any of you have any information on this matter.
I have a chronic disease called endometriosis I have had some treatment and surgery on the NHS, however for the past year I have been so ill that I am unable to work and I am on incapacity benefit. My condition has deteriorated and I have to wait many months for appointments on the NHS which is why I am considering private treatment; just because its faster. I cannot afford the private consultation/treatment fees myself so I have looked into health plans.
I have found one health plan/cash back scheme that says it will cover pre-existing conditions however it covers things like dental and optician charges which I don't require. Cash plans, I am lead to understand, are not like health insurance in that they not cover hospital or surgical charges.
If you anyone knows anything about this please let me know. :cool:

What is the name of the insurance company?

skint_skint_skint

This is the health plan provider that covers pre existing conditions http://www.signaturehealthcare.co.uk/individual-family-plan.asp?ref=tis7955 its the only one I have been able to find that says this.
The parent site http://www.the-insurance-surgery.co.uk/health.php states:
"Pre-existing conditions are fully covered for all benefits including Specialist consultations and tests. Most other plans will exclude all cover for pre-existing conditions (the only exclusion for pre-existing conditions is that you are unable to claim the hospital cash benefits, recuperation and home help benefits in the first two years of the policy for that specific, or any related, condition)"
I think it may be worth trying it for the benefit of the consultations alone although I intend to fully check out the terms and conditions

jonesMUFCforever

Presuming that you get accepted for the £37.50 monthly premium you get a maximum payout of £1000 for 1 year. You pay £450 to get £1000 cover - how many consultations do you think that will cover - 1 or maybe 2 at most.

Think very carefully before signing up.

Joey122

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Presuming that you get accepted for the £37.50 monthly premium you get a maximum payout of £1000 for 1 year. You pay £450 to get £1000 cover - how many consultations do you think that will cover - 1 or maybe 2 at most.

Think very carefully before signing up.

Agreed - One thing people forget is insurance companies are super smart

You will alwys pay more then what you claim

Bossyboots

My gynaecologist charges £120 for a consultation. The hospital makes an £80 charge for a pelvic scan.

Investigations on a day case basis run to about £900 which includes theatre costs and the hospital room. Anaethestist and surgeon fees run to about an additional £400 depending on the procedure.

The private hospitals offer fixed price plans for specific events and personal payment plans.

It might therefore be worth looking into this as a possible way of getting help without purchasing a plan that may be of no use to you.

skint_skint_skint

Bossyboots wrote: »

My gynaecologist charges £120 for a consultation. The hospital makes an £80 charge for a pelvic scan.

Investigations on a day case basis run to about £900 which includes theatre costs and the hospital room. Anaethestist and surgeon fees run to about an additional £400 depending on the procedure.

The private hospitals offer fixed price plans for specific events and personal payment plans.

It might therefore be worth looking into this as a possible way of getting help without purchasing a plan that may be of no use to you.

Yes that is well worth considering I'll look into fixed price plans, although I cannot afford that I may be able to get finance.

I'd like to say to jonesMUFCforever that for some reason you have quoted the price of the most the most expensive plan they offer which I have no intention of getting. I was considering the two lowest plans. The Starter plan is £9.95 per month for 24 months and the Mini plan is £15.95 per month for 12 months. The Starter plan would therefore cost £238.80 for the minimum term and the Mini plan would cost £191.40 for the minimum term. Both cover for £250 consultations and tests.
Using the prices that Bossyboots has quoted £120 for the consultation and £80 for a scan, a total of £200, would mean the plan had paid for its self plus I'd get the other benefits eye care, dental, accident cover etc.
I'm not sure of the exact terms and conditions but if I had to pay for further tests and consultations above the limit it doesn't look like I'd be losing any money

shelly

skint_skint_skint wrote: »

Using the prices that Bossyboots has quoted £120 for the consultation and £80 for a scan, a total of £200, would mean the plan had paid for its self plus I'd get the other benefits eye care, dental, accident cover etc.
I'm not sure of the exact terms and conditions but if I had to pay for further tests and consultations above the limit it doesn't look like I'd be losing any money

I'd just like to add that my consultant charges £140 per consultation. If you need an MRI its just over £600. Also if you need surgery again and go the private route it can run into thousands.
Really the £1000 a year limit can soon be eaten up.

I noticed the following in what you quoted from the healthplan site......

***(the only exclusion for pre-existing conditions is that you are unable to claim the hospital cash benefits, recuperation and home help benefits in the first two years of the policy for that specific, or any related, condition)"***

Believe me when I say that if you get any other condition at all and there is even the tiniest link between your new condition and your current one the insurers will not pay out.
Or maybe thats just BUPA
I thank my lucky stars every day that hubbys employer goes half on the costs of BUPA and that I am covered under the policy.


Good luck

skint_skint_skint

Thanks Shelly, I'm not really sure if that or any health plan would be any use to me but you know I am so desperatly ill I am looking anyway that I can get the treatment I need quickly.
Luckily my persistance in emailing and calling the hospital has paid off and I now have two NHS appointments next week with specialists so I'm going to wait and see the outcome of those before I decide whether I need private treatment.
If I do need it I will find some sort of finance, loan, credit card etc. I think my health is more important than money.

shelly

Good luck for next week.