Thinking of some kind of Private health care but a bit lost

DanH84 · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:16

Evening all. I've been considering some kind of private health cover for a while but to be honest I'm a bit confused by which option is going to work out best for me. Is it any good? I've always been NHS boy in the past but I think I'd like to have the option of going private there for me and my family if necessary.

I can get 40% off Bupa plans through work, and also seriously reduced rates on a cash plan with another company. Typically do you need separate dental plans as well?

Slightly dumb questions maybe but i do want to take some advice on this as obviously it could be extremely important somewhere down the line so I'd love to hear any experiences you may have.

The Halk · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:21

Typically you would need a separate plan.

The health cash plans (even with a discount) aren't especially good. They add a lot of hassle, and the benefit is simply that you don't have a large bill at any point, instead you get a small bill all the time. It's also the case that most people on the scheme will have a discount.

Bupa is more convenient, it's not necessarily better health care.

DanH84 · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:24

The Halk said:
Typically you would need a separate plan.

The health cash plans (even with a discount) aren't especially good. They add a lot of hassle, and the benefit is simply that you don't have a large bill at any point, instead you get a small bill all the time. It's also the case that most people on the scheme will have a discount.

Bupa is more convenient, it's not necessarily better health care.

So for a lack of hassle, a Bupa plan would possibly be worth it? I understand that paying for private health care doesn't guarantee better care as the people working at the NHS are obviously highly skilled, however with private care I assume i would have more options open to me and possibly lower wait times etc?

MehulLakhani · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:27

You will get lower wait times, but be very careful about excesses etc.

You tend to see the same consultants, but might have access to single rooms, better meals, better rehab afterwards etc. Sometimes the imaging can be better etc

Also, once you claim, you will often find that that condition will be excluded the next year .

Also, be very careful about declaring conditions that you already have, otherwise they can refuse to pay out on related claims in the future.

Any other questions, just ask and I will try to reply.

R

Mehul

The Halk · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:30

Mehul has it pretty much exact.

Earlier treatment may have a beneficial effect on your health - but again be aware that where there's a danger normally the NHS would expediate the time you would wait.

On the other hand a friend of my fathers would have died if she had been in a private hospital, as she was in for an operation, and overnight a blot clot formed. Thankfully she was in an NHS hospital with cardiac specialists.

DanH84 · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:35

I can see I'm going to need to put some more thought into this one, I'm leaning towards taking their Bupa Healthcare select 2 plan which covers for all but outpatient complementary medicines but it's not quite the cut and dried benefit i believed before asking on here. Thanks for advice so far guys.

MehulLakhani · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:40

Halk is right.

Our local Bupa/Spire hospital is quite large and they only have one doctor on overnight, usually a registrar, who may not have much general medical or general surgical experience. They only do the job in order to earn cash whilst they are doing research etc etc - and dont always have the relevant experience.

When **** happens, which tends to be at 4am, when there is no-one around, private hospitals often dont have emergency theatres, emergency surgeons on-site, and ITU/HDU departments. They just call 999, and get you to the nearest NHS hospital.

The best compromise is to be in the private wing of an NHS hospital, so that if something does happen then you can be transferred straight down to A+E/ITU and get the acute investigations done ASAP on-site, and see senior doctors straight away.

R

Mehul