Private health insurance
Discussion
Afternoon all
I'm hearing of friends facing unbelievable problems facing them to get doctor appointments and horrendous backlogs for even urgent operations in the North West, maybe it's the same the length and breadth of the country but as we are all getting older I'm considering paying for private health care insurance BUT am wary of insurance policies that when it's crunch time the bow out gracefully quoting the small print in their exclusions.
I know PW is a fantastic source of knowledge so maybe someone has experiences they could share on the topic, whether its good/bad or value/waste of money so put up with the NHS or simply pay when a problem arises to get quick treatment?
All comments greatly received and thanks in advance
I'm hearing of friends facing unbelievable problems facing them to get doctor appointments and horrendous backlogs for even urgent operations in the North West, maybe it's the same the length and breadth of the country but as we are all getting older I'm considering paying for private health care insurance BUT am wary of insurance policies that when it's crunch time the bow out gracefully quoting the small print in their exclusions.
I know PW is a fantastic source of knowledge so maybe someone has experiences they could share on the topic, whether its good/bad or value/waste of money so put up with the NHS or simply pay when a problem arises to get quick treatment?
All comments greatly received and thanks in advance
There's quite a few threads about this if you have a search with some really good information.
I get it through work.
Wait lists on the NHS are massive, private will get you a big queue jump.
A few years ago I needed to see a specialist, went through the NHS and my appointment was I think 4 months later.
Rang through on private and saw a spec and was having tests and scans in the same week.
Private won't pay for anything chronic or long term so check the exclusions. Most insurers will exclude the same or similar things, and check policy limits especially out-patient limits(higher the better)
Only go with a major insurer like Aviva/Bupa/AXA.
Have a look at some brokers to get you quotes and they can help with the products as well since there's a lot of variation out there.
Quotes can vary wildly depending on your personal circumstances and you will have to declare past medical history and most likely won't be covered if anything arises from it.
Is it worth it?, Hopefully you will have a healthy life and won't need to use it but if something does pop up, it does pay for itself considering the actual cost of treatment which can rack up tens of thousands depending on what it is and get you the quick treatment you need considering how long wait times are now on the NHS.
I get it through work.
Wait lists on the NHS are massive, private will get you a big queue jump.
A few years ago I needed to see a specialist, went through the NHS and my appointment was I think 4 months later.
Rang through on private and saw a spec and was having tests and scans in the same week.
Private won't pay for anything chronic or long term so check the exclusions. Most insurers will exclude the same or similar things, and check policy limits especially out-patient limits(higher the better)
Only go with a major insurer like Aviva/Bupa/AXA.
Have a look at some brokers to get you quotes and they can help with the products as well since there's a lot of variation out there.
Quotes can vary wildly depending on your personal circumstances and you will have to declare past medical history and most likely won't be covered if anything arises from it.
Is it worth it?, Hopefully you will have a healthy life and won't need to use it but if something does pop up, it does pay for itself considering the actual cost of treatment which can rack up tens of thousands depending on what it is and get you the quick treatment you need considering how long wait times are now on the NHS.
I think you've got to consider what's available for your premium.
What level of procedures do local private hospitals offer? Do they have enhanced care facilities?
What's the availability of specialists locally? There's a significant drop off in new consultants not taking up private work as the insurers reimbursement are not offering them something that they deem worthwhile. PP is great for a lot of orthopaedic stuff, leads good for many other specialities. There may be an insurance reimbursement shortfall in fees charged for certain procedures.
If you're looking for specific healthcare interventions eg endoscopy, laparoscopy, hip replacement with a defined endpoint then paying may be cheaper in the long run
What level of procedures do local private hospitals offer? Do they have enhanced care facilities?
What's the availability of specialists locally? There's a significant drop off in new consultants not taking up private work as the insurers reimbursement are not offering them something that they deem worthwhile. PP is great for a lot of orthopaedic stuff, leads good for many other specialities. There may be an insurance reimbursement shortfall in fees charged for certain procedures.
If you're looking for specific healthcare interventions eg endoscopy, laparoscopy, hip replacement with a defined endpoint then paying may be cheaper in the long run
I've been with Beneden Health for about five years. Unfortunately they won't touch complex spinal surgery with a 40ft barge pole so I'm on the NHS waiting list, 3 years and 7 months and counting.
Consultant reckons it'll be a while yet as they are limited to one surgery day every other week, so he's off at the private hospital doing four days. In my region there are 42000 on the list for general surgery, 10000 of those orthopedic and neuro so it's a complete s
t show. I went private for scans and back injections before they realised how serious my condition was 5 and 10 minute appointments were 250 quid a go. Think in two months I'd been about 4 times for MRI. Total was over 3k and I didn't feel any better. Think private my surgery would be after all the bells and whistles around the 30k mark.
I know someone needed a heart issue and Bupa paid out, I think it was over 30k
Consultant reckons it'll be a while yet as they are limited to one surgery day every other week, so he's off at the private hospital doing four days. In my region there are 42000 on the list for general surgery, 10000 of those orthopedic and neuro so it's a complete s
t show. I went private for scans and back injections before they realised how serious my condition was 5 and 10 minute appointments were 250 quid a go. Think in two months I'd been about 4 times for MRI. Total was over 3k and I didn't feel any better. Think private my surgery would be after all the bells and whistles around the 30k mark.I know someone needed a heart issue and Bupa paid out, I think it was over 30k
Any of the big insurers are pretty good. Contrary to popular stories they pay out on all eligible claims and can’t hide behind small print. It isn’t cheap as healthcare isn’t cheap and they are likely to be getting more claims given the state of the NHS, so premiums are only likely to go up.
I wouldn’t class Beneden as a Private Medical Insurer (and their premiums reflect that) but they have a place.
I’m with Aviva and had two claims this year, nothing serious but I couldn’t be bothered waiting months for the NHS.
I wouldn’t class Beneden as a Private Medical Insurer (and their premiums reflect that) but they have a place.
I’m with Aviva and had two claims this year, nothing serious but I couldn’t be bothered waiting months for the NHS.
I was with axa and now with vitality
Both have been excellent. I have top level cover including dental which has saved me a huge wait on the NHS when I needed a wisdom tooth being removed.
It also pays for my prescription glasses came eyetests, health tests and I get huge discount on health equipment (Peleton / Apple Watch / Garmin / trainers) and half price Nuffield Gym membership.
I can get a video GP appointment quickly when need to and any prescriptions written for me are paid for too.
Both have been excellent. I have top level cover including dental which has saved me a huge wait on the NHS when I needed a wisdom tooth being removed.
It also pays for my prescription glasses came eyetests, health tests and I get huge discount on health equipment (Peleton / Apple Watch / Garmin / trainers) and half price Nuffield Gym membership.
I can get a video GP appointment quickly when need to and any prescriptions written for me are paid for too.
MikeStroud said:
Spidersleg asked for monthly premium. Is it really £1500 pcm?
My Axa renewal for this year (1st June) on our small company scheme was £13K. That’s with £500 excess. I’m 65 though. I know the premiums of a couple of guys in their very early 50’s are in the £5-6K range. All premiums are for couples.I used Usay Compare after seeing them mentioned on here and got moratorium cover with Aviva for a bit over £4K. Not happy about moratorium but £13K was bonkers. We had absolutely ‘every box ticked’ cover, and with full London hospital list and I was rated as if I lived in the SE where our company is based. Apparently the premiums get cheaper as you go North
Depending on where you live and how far you’re prepared to travel, the “being seen and having tests the same week” isn’t usual in our experience. If you want to see a particular local consultant our experience is waiting a month can be typical. Also my wife had a cancerous tumour in her leg and private cover was useless - indeed mentioning we had it was met with almost sneering. OTOH a colleague in the SE said private cancer care for his wife has been amazing.
Sheepshanks said:
My Axa renewal for this year (1st June) on our small company scheme was £13K. That’s with £500 excess. I’m 65 though. I know the premiums of a couple of guys in their very early 50’s are in the £5-6K range. All premiums are for couples.
I used Usay Compare after seeing them mentioned on here and got moratorium cover with Aviva for a bit over £4K. Not happy about moratorium but £13K was bonkers. We had absolutely ‘every box ticked’ cover, and with full London hospital list and I was rated as if I lived in the SE where our company is based. Apparently the premiums get cheaper as you go North
Depending on where you live and how far you’re prepared to travel, the “being seen and having tests the same week” isn’t usual in our experience. If you want to see a particular local consultant our experience is waiting a month can be typical. Also my wife had a cancerous tumour in her leg and private cover was useless - indeed mentioning we had it was met with almost sneering. OTOH a colleague in the SE said private cancer care for his wife has been amazing.
I know you have mentioned your £13k premium before, but it is an outlier. I used Usay Compare after seeing them mentioned on here and got moratorium cover with Aviva for a bit over £4K. Not happy about moratorium but £13K was bonkers. We had absolutely ‘every box ticked’ cover, and with full London hospital list and I was rated as if I lived in the SE where our company is based. Apparently the premiums get cheaper as you go North
Depending on where you live and how far you’re prepared to travel, the “being seen and having tests the same week” isn’t usual in our experience. If you want to see a particular local consultant our experience is waiting a month can be typical. Also my wife had a cancerous tumour in her leg and private cover was useless - indeed mentioning we had it was met with almost sneering. OTOH a colleague in the SE said private cancer care for his wife has been amazing.
You can’t compare any individual premiums like you have.
Ours is £230 month, 62 MHD, 59 moritorium, 21 moritorium, both moritoriums have now gone their two years so effectively we have all conditions covered.
They’ve paid out over £5k this year.
I consider it good value for money considering the state of the NHS.
craig1912 said:
I know you have mentioned your £13k premium before, but it is an outlier.
You can’t compare any individual premiums like you have.
Ours is £230 month, 62 MHD, 59 moritorium, 21 moritorium, both moritoriums have now gone their two years so effectively we have all conditions covered.
They’ve paid out over £5k this year.
I consider it good value for money considering the state of the NHS.
Of course you can compare them - comparing yours to mine, mine was insane, yours seems remarkably cheap. I looked around at last year’s renewal when it was £10K and to get the same cover elsewhere on a switch basis I was getting similar (to £10K) quotes.You can’t compare any individual premiums like you have.
Ours is £230 month, 62 MHD, 59 moritorium, 21 moritorium, both moritoriums have now gone their two years so effectively we have all conditions covered.
They’ve paid out over £5k this year.
I consider it good value for money considering the state of the NHS.
It’s easy enough for anyone to bang a few details into the Aviva website and that’ll give them a quote, but they won’t be able to get medical history disregarded (MHD) cover like you’ve got. Mine could have been a bit cheaper this year with Aviva but I chose the option to allow me to select the hospital and consultant myself (not the magic circle or whatever they’re called London hospitals though).
Edited by Sheepshanks on Saturday 4th June 23:26
craig1912 said:
Spidersleg said:
Any ballpark figures on monthly premiums? £100, £200, £300 ?
Age location underwriting etc etc My monthly is £230 but yours might be completely different
Sheepshanks said:
Of course you can compare them - comparing yours to mine, mine was insane, yours seems remarkably cheap. I looked around at last year’s renewal when it was £10K and to get the same cover elsewhere on a switch basis I was getting similar (to £10K) quotes.
It’s easy enough for anyone to bang a few details into the Aviva website and that’ll give them a quote. Mine could have been a bit cheaper this year with Aviva but I chose the option to allow me to select the hospital and consultant myself (not the magic circle or whatever they’re called London hospitals though).
Mines not cheap. I’ve been in the industry 30 years and had PMI all that time. I agree I have “restrictions” on who I can choose (but my knee specialist was top notch) but if you are in central London that is always going to be more expensive. I’m on the South Coast which is dearer than the North for instance.It’s easy enough for anyone to bang a few details into the Aviva website and that’ll give them a quote. Mine could have been a bit cheaper this year with Aviva but I chose the option to allow me to select the hospital and consultant myself (not the magic circle or whatever they’re called London hospitals though).
Sheepshanks said:
Of course you can compare them - comparing yours to mine, mine was insane, yours seems remarkably cheap. I looked around at last year’s renewal when it was £10K and to get the same cover elsewhere on a switch basis I was getting similar (to £10K) quotes.
It’s easy enough for anyone to bang a few details into the Aviva website and that’ll give them a quote, but they won’t be able to get medical history disregarded (MHD) cover like you’ve got. Mine could have been a bit cheaper this year with Aviva but I chose the option to allow me to select the hospital and consultant myself (not the magic circle or whatever they’re called London hospitals though).
No I don’t agree. There is something wrong somewhere. Mine is not cheap, it is what I think is roughly right to pay. For some reason yours is too much, not sure why?It’s easy enough for anyone to bang a few details into the Aviva website and that’ll give them a quote, but they won’t be able to get medical history disregarded (MHD) cover like you’ve got. Mine could have been a bit cheaper this year with Aviva but I chose the option to allow me to select the hospital and consultant myself (not the magic circle or whatever they’re called London hospitals though).
Edited by Sheepshanks on Saturday 4th June 23:26
craig1912 said:
Mines not cheap.
OK, if you prefer, mine was very expensive then.I just did a compare the market thing using your ages and the Aviva premium is the cheapest, same as you pay. Axa was 2x. All for moratorium cover, of course.
If they’ve paid out £5K won’t that affect your premium? I’ve heard different stories about that but one of the explanations for our company premium being so high is the claims history - the cancer treatment cost for one of our guys’ wife must be immense.
My issue here is I’m very miffed at the industry for being ‘forced’ (by dint of being quoted a massive premium) to switch insurers and to a moratorium basis at a time of life when it’s increasingly likely I’ll need to use such cover. Funny that. I’ve had private health cover for 40 years and across the family only made a few minor claims.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Sunday 5th June 00:03
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