Anyone use Private Healthcare rather than NHS?
gcwebbyuk
Posts: 1,926
Just trying to work out rough costs as NHS waiting lists are proper rubbish! :evil:
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Yes, our family does - and its bloody expensive; when I was young I had a few visits to Great Ormand Street hopsital (Yes it was that bad) for a bad leg injury; the doctor there also worked at our local private clinic; six private surgeries later in the space of 7 months and I was back as good as new!
With the NHS, it can take over 7 months to get just 1 operation.
Also - if anyone who works in Great Ormand Street hospital is on here; keep the job up - you're doing a stunning job and I'm sure everyone would second that!
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I looked into to private health care but was way too much for me, although 90% of the nhs are ok, just not some.0
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How much was too much though - seems only way to get a rough idea of price is to phone them and go through a mini-survey.
Just after a rough price really per person or as a couple0 -
From where I come, pvt health care is an absolute must. There is NO national system worth anything really. Costing around £600 per month for family of 4. That's well over £100k that I paid in. Two routine hopitalizations in 20 odd yrs is all I claimed aside from the small run of the mill stuff.
The alternative (state care) is too frightening to contemplate.Embrace cynicism…. see the bigger picture!!!!0 -
Not sure of the cost with BUPA but here is what i went through when i tore my cartilage in my left knee playing football...
- Made an appointment on the monday for the thursday.
- On the thursday scan was arranged for the coming monday with follow up on the thursday.
- Went to the follow up, confirmed the tear and offered to operate the following morning (friday). Declined due to the short notice for work but took the option up for the following week.
Not bad service to be fair!0 -
Been advised though that pre-existing conditions - i.e. my neck will affect price.
Will give them a ring in the new year depending on how long it takes for the NHS to get their arse in gear!0 -
my wife oays 40 quid a month for bupa, although she gets a bit of a discounted rate. i they do take into account pre-existing conditions though so you may have to pay more0
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BUPA offer a discount if you work for the NHS!0
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I'm with AXA. Luckily it's paid for by my employer! Paid for 10 sessions of physio and a knee op in September last year!2007 Merlin Malt 40
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I work for the private sector in an MRI unit and in my experience alll insurance companies are buggers!
BUPA probably get the best discounted rates in terms of treatment but are one of the most awkward companies to deal with in terms of the stupid rules they have for certain out-patient procedures, so watch out for that.
AXA, WPA, Standard Life and Norwich Union are good but don't get the discounts.
Companies like Benendon are OK but only offer a limited amount of cover for out-patient procedures ie £1000 (and with certain scans costing nearly £900 thats eaten away pretty quickly).
Sometimes its as good just going as a self funding patient as these rates are usually cheaper at the private hospitals.
Also there's a new thing where you can go to your GP and elect to get your NHS treatment at a Private Hospital so maybe look into that
Here endeth the lesson!0 -
Thanks for all the advice.
I finally received a letter about an x-ray through - must have been a cancellation as its for Thursday!
Also have my Rheumatologist appointment booked for 9th feb - so not too many days to wait now.
Just dealing with pain at the mo and trying to keep busy with work to take my mind off it -constant pain makes me very tired though too -
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Some thoughts
The main advantage of private care is speed. You will usually get an appointment within a week or two max.. Investigations & ops are also then quicker.
I would never recommend going privately for anything that is urgent - there isn't the backup.
Does your practice do "choose & book"? If they do, then in my experience this has made things much quicker - appointments usually less that 6 weeks. Also, some XR depts have a "turn up with your form" deal so that does make things quciker - still takes a couple of weeks for the report tho!
If you need physio you could maybe try your occupational health dept if you have one - they should have a vested interest in getting you fit!
Also, be wary - if you have an existing condition then most insurance companies won't cover you for it for future problems - leaving you paying or going thru the NHS anyway.
Hope you get sorted, thru whichever system!
(declared interest: I'm an NHS GP!)0
