FOAK: Private Med. Insurance

So in the opinion of the Froup what is worth having and what is shite.

Bupa have sold all their hospitals to Spire and Nuffield most to BMI. Bupa
only refer to a select list of establishments anyway.

Are any of the insurers less cunty than the others, allowing free choice of
Consultants etc.

 

Worth having? For starters, one that doesn't mean having to go to a
private hospital.

Personally I wouldn't bother at all.

 

Hog wibbled:

Only know what I've got: Standard Life through SWMBO's company. I've
just set them back a couple of quid so am ahead of the game. It appears
full choice apart from the prime London hospitals and they didn't
quibble in anyway shape or form. Can't comment on choice of consultant
as I made my doctor refer me to the one I wanted to see in the first
place.

 

I used mine last year - it's a work sponsored thing through standard
life. was v.easy. gp advised referral, I phoned them up and said what
was needed, they approved over the phone and I booked suitable time slot
at local nuffield, using the consultant I chose who also works at local
hosptital but with a massive waiting list.

Completely hassle free, and very quick.

 

Pinko Commie......

 

Didn't Colin say there were no waiting lists?

 

we (kiwi's) lived in Europe for 6 years. I have dual NZ/UK
citizenship.
we had private insurance when living in Germany, but decided against
it whilst in the UK, as we felt (though had no evidence) that the NHS
was sufficient.
Having said that, we both needed an MRI (volleyball related joint
injuries!) and paid 600 quid each.
My EURO 0.02 worth ? Put the premiums you'd pay into a "rainy day"
account. If you get something terminal, well....there's always a twin-
turbo Gold Wing with nitrous and knobbly's.

 

I'd be surprised if he did.

 

http://www.saga.co.uk/finance/privatemedicalinsurance/

 

Champ wrote...

If you wished to choose the time and place of your operation, you might.

In my experience (3 procedures), private medicine offers a no-frills medical
service. Any complications, and they'll have you in an ambulance to the
nearest NHS hospital before you can say "litigation".

Whereas the dear old NHS will take full medical responsibility for you
(usually!), as long as you can wait for it.

 

That shows a lack of knowledge in the situation out there. TBF you haven't
had to call on said services so why would you know.

 

God knows. A mate of mine had Meningitis, and wasn't covered by his medical
insurance as he'd gone to casualty so it was classed by them as an
emergency. IMO there's too many get out clauses...

 

When I sat down and thought about it, the only stuff I'd be likely to use
health insurance for would be physio. At £30 an hour, I might as well pay
for it myself when I need it rather than wait for the NHS one (6 weeks) or
for the health insurance to get round to it (I've seen a lot of health
insurance advertised with "If the NHS can't sort you in XXX weeks" - if I'm
paying, I want it now)...

If you're properly ill, you'll end up on the NHS. If you need a major
operation, I'd rather be on the NHS rather than an ambulance ride away from
hospital. Which leaves fairly minor bits and bobs, which I'd be happy enough
to pay for out of pocket.

 

It's obviously a funding issue so perhaps the NHS shouldn't waste so
much of their money on contractors?

 

Define "free" ?

I pay for 40% of mine.

 

*ding*

My employer's group also includes a private medical insurance company.

 

Heh, fortunately I'm not an NHS contractor, that's Bear.

 

Sometimes I prefer experience to Google!

 

Sorry but "google" has become the generally accepted for a general internet
search.
"Google the NG" would have pointed me in the right direction.
So are you talking about your wisdom tooth IIRC? how many years ago was
that?

I will rest on the following:

Recuperation: massively lower rates of acquired hospital infections, in
Yorkshire and NI at least
Recuperation: individual rooms rather than wards full of plebs and their
disgusting visitors
Consultants: choose which one
Consultants: see the same each time
Treatment: I choose when within reason
Treatment: check-up regime which the NHS does not offer
Physio: very limited under NHS in NI and Yorkshire
Food: I rest my case

So with good private healthcare I get the best of the private sector and the
best of the NHS. Bit of a no brainer (I hate that term).

So me, with diabetes, has been quoted eighty something a month for Bupa's
top level policy. For that money why wouldn't you.

 

WTF?

The primary reason for this type of insurance is to queue jump NHS waiting
lists for elective procedures.

It would be uneconomic and irrational for private health insurers to
duplicate emergency services in the UK.

If your mate had treatment that required an overnight stay in an NHS
hospital then he could, with some insurance products, claim a cash benefit
of, typically, £100 per night.

I don't have this type of insurance now. A previous employer provided BUPA
cover which I used to my advantage at times. My lad was asthmatic when
younger, requiring a number of trips to A&E and subsequent overnight stays.
Harrowing at the time, but in cash terms quite profitable due to the BUPA
cash benefit.