Private Health Care

[Arese]

Can anyone recommend a private health insurance provider? I'll be funding it myself rather than as a benefit of my employment, so cost is a factor.

I used to be with AXA PPP for my wife and I, which was £100 a month for a pretty good package. I'd rather pay much less than that of course. I suppose the best measure of how good the provider is, is how any claims have gone if you've ever had to use them?

I've had ongoing back problems for a while. I saw a physio in June, had an MRI in September, and now have an appointment with a specialist on November 23rd. That's the kind of crap I went to get away from.

Cheers

Edited by Arese on Monday 18th October 17:07

[TuxRacer]

Arese said:

I've had ongoing back problems for a while. I saw a physio in June, had an MRI in September, and now have an appointment with a specialist on November 23rd. That's the kind of crap I went to get away from.

Sounds pretty good to me. With my back I'd see a physio, three months later I'd get the appointment for the MRI in a further three months, letter three months later to see the consultant. So bad that after the MRI they tried a steroid injection which didn't work so decided to operate - by which time the MRI was over a year old and out of date so I had to go round the circle again.

Anyway, I've only been with AXA PPP and Bupa. No complaints, I've never footed the bill myself though but I can't imagine Bupa are any cheaper.

[davido140]

I thought the whole point of private health care was to avoid stupidly long waiting lists?

[TuxRacer]

If you mean what I was talking about... that was before I had private healthcare.

[Arese]

TuxRacer said:

Sounds pretty good to me. With my back I'd see a physio, three months later I'd get the appointment for the MRI in a further three months, letter three months later to see the consultant. So bad that after the MRI they tried a steroid injection which didn't work so decided to operate - by which time the MRI was over a year old and out of date so I had to go round the circle again.

Anyway, I've only been with AXA PPP and Bupa. No complaints, I've never footed the bill myself though but I can't imagine Bupa are any cheaper.

Oh ffs. That sounds like a nightmare. I don't want that to happen, I didn't like the MRI!

davido140 said:

I thought the whole point of private health care was to avoid stupidly long waiting lists?

For me, it is. The long wait I had above was all NHS. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[Bill]

Arese said:

I've had ongoing back problems for a while.

Most of them won't cover pre-existing conditions AFAIK.

[Arese]

Bill said:

Arese said:

I've had ongoing back problems for a while.

Most of them won't cover pre-existing conditions AFAIK.

Yeah, that was one of my assumptions

I'm still happy to start a private policy off though for the long-term, and just stick with the NHS for my back.

[Rude-boy]

Not sure it helps but I'm with BUPA and I reckon in the last 12 months I've 'made back' every penny of the premiums that have been paid for me since I were knee high to a grasshopper.

Never had a problem with any of the costs but be carful as there are some aspects which are limited to a figure, such as Out-patient tests and investigations and £1,000 doesn't go very far when you are down for your 3rd CT scan in 9 months...

[TuxRacer]

Arese said:

Oh ffs. That sounds like a nightmare. I don't want that to happen, I didn't like the MRI!

Oh yeah - I forgot the best bit. I found out the second time round that I needed ear protection. The first time I was close to chickening out it was so loud. When it was over and the radiographer was talking to me I could see her lips moving but couldn't hear a thing for some time after.

My hearing's been decidedly dodgy since then.

£100 a month seeming cheap yet? Just don't put the wife on!

[TuxRacer]

Bill said:

Arese said:

I've had ongoing back problems for a while.

Most of them won't cover pre-existing conditions AFAIK.

AXA PPP and Bupa have covered pre-existing conditions for me (ETA: on specific, more expensive cover). I've only been covered through work though so I don't know if that affects it.

Edited by TuxRacer on Monday 18th October 17:18

[Arese]

TuxRacer said:

Arese said:

Oh ffs. That sounds like a nightmare. I don't want that to happen, I didn't like the MRI!

Oh yeah - I forgot the best bit. I found out the second time round that I needed ear protection. The first time I was close to chickening out it was so loud. When it was over and the radiographer was talking to me I could see her lips moving but couldn't hear a thing for some time after.

My hearing's been decidedly dodgy since then.

£100 a month seeming cheap yet? Just don't put the wife on!

The MRI people didn't provide ear protection for you? Jesus that's terrible. My place, to be fair, were really good once I got there. Headphones and dodgy music saw me through, I just didn't open my eyes or I know I'd be screaming "Ahhhh, get me out of this tube now!"

[Arese]

Ok, I think I'll give AXA and BUPA a call tonight and see what they can both do. Cheers all.

[Mattt]

I've got BUPA through work, and they've always been fine when it came to claim.

[Loopyleesa]

I had AXA before and couldn't fault them at all, they always paid out very quickly.

However had to change to Bupa through work and they charge an excess on the first consultant visit.

If I had a choice out of all the private health care it would be AXA

[Arese]

Loopyleesa said:

I had AXA before and couldn't fault them at all, they always paid out very quickly.

However had to change to Bupa through work and they charge an excess on the first consultant visit.

If I had a choice out of all the private health care it would be AXA

Thanks Leesa. I tried to call them both last night but their call-centres closed at 8pm. I'll try and get some quotes online now.

[Loopyleesa]

Arese said:

Loopyleesa said:

I had AXA before and couldn't fault them at all, they always paid out very quickly.

However had to change to Bupa through work and they charge an excess on the first consultant visit.

If I had a choice out of all the private health care it would be AXA

Thanks Leesa. I tried to call them both last night but their call-centres closed at 8pm. I'll try and get some quotes online now.

How did you get on?

[Arese]

Loopyleesa said:

Arese said:

Loopyleesa said:

I had AXA before and couldn't fault them at all, they always paid out very quickly.

However had to change to Bupa through work and they charge an excess on the first consultant visit.

If I had a choice out of all the private health care it would be AXA

Thanks Leesa. I tried to call them both last night but their call-centres closed at 8pm. I'll try and get some quotes online now.

How did you get on?

AXA PPP quoted me £150 a month for both of us for their top-end package. It wasn't actually much cheaper for the middle package. BUPA won't quote online, you have to call them, so I'll try and do that tomorrow!

Keep ya posted.