Who has private health insurance?

Dr House

Dr House

Dr House

Soldato
Joined
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Location
London
I was just wondering how many of you have private heath insurance?

The NHS is good to have a fall back option but I would never risk not having proper health insurance and its really not as expensive as people think. I pay 48 pounds per month for comprehensive cover with Bupa.

Can we have a poll

Yes
No
 
Nope, not really affordable for me at the moment. I will consider it as I get older however being only 21 and *touch wood* fit and healthy it's not really a worry of mine.

I do have life insurance & critical illness though which would pay out (providing my condition matched the criteria) so I could afford private fees should I need them.
 
Taxable benefit here too. I honestly think we need a system where you can "opt out" while you have private health insurance and be given a reduction in NI.
 
PianoBasher said:
Taxable benefit here too. I honestly think we need a system where you can "opt out" while you have private health insurance and be given a reduction in NI.
Click to expand...

It doesn't replace the NHS though and coverage is often limited to an extent.

I've still got to go and see my regular GP before being referred to a private consultant but I'd likely be able to see one quicker privately than via an NHS waiting list.

Tis like living in a gated community with private security and then expecting not to have to pay tax for the police - tis a complementary service not a replacement.

Sending your kids to private schools on the other hand ought to attract a tax break. In fact parents ought to be allowed a free choice of schools towards which the govt will pay a flat fee - state schools charge the govt fee or parents could pay a bit extra and go to an independent school charging perhaps more. Would make some independent schools more affordable to more people and give more choice to taxpayers, in addition to causing failing schools to simple collapse.
 
Those people saying you should be able to op-out of the NHS tax payments: does that mean you'd get charged a **** load when ambulances come to take you to A & E after you have a car crash? Is private more for operations, consultations and so on rather than emergency care? If so, NHS will be picking you up off the pavement should you have an accident, so I suppose that's why you can't opt out.

How much is it a month anyway?
 
Yes, I have it as a taxable benefit through work. Good job too, as pretty much every member of the family has made use of it over recent years:

- Knee operation
- Thyroid operation
- Breast scans
- Varicose veins operation
- Consultations and MRI scan for bony lump on hand
- Lots of investigations re: my son's Crohns
- Consultations for ear infection / perforated eardrum

Probably saved the NHS at least £40k
 
Amleto said:
yes, as a taxable benefit
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Same here and I've kneeded it over the last few years (excuse the pun)

I've had two left knee operations and just about to have my third. However, I'm convinced that the consultant is on the make.. We has no time and makes me feel like I'm lying about the discomfort etc.. Each time I see him he can't wait to show me the door and make the next appointment. At £150 each visit, it's like printing his own money. Doesn't bother me as it's not my money.. and I'm sure he knows this too.

In contrast, I had a shoulder problems and decided to go NHS. After a visit to the doctors and a long wait to hear from the hospital, once I was in the system I was seen too very efficiently and the consultant had plenty of time for me. Shoulder is now sorted :)
 
Yes as a taxable benefit, it's pretty crap really. Have to get my GP to refer me to the same specialist I'd see under the NHS, then I have to phone the insurance people and convince them it's not a pre-existing condition, then pay the £100 excess. First and last time I use it for something non life threatening.
 
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