[Closed] Private Health care do you have it ?

Worth it if you get the right package for you, I had physio in 20 minutes.
The ex had ACL surgery when she needed it and it was convenient, couple of arthroscopies much faster than NHS etc.
It's more of a short cut and a plan B option to the NHS.

Wife went private for her mri scan. We don't have any cover. Just paid a one off fee to effectively jump the queue for the scan then back to the NHS for the rest of the treatment.

Yes. Apart from the 'excess' or Admin fee, it's very useful.

i have it .... would i have it if the company didnt provide it --- not likely.

do i think the company provides it for any other reason than to benifit them - no .

Have i benifited from it - yes.

but i do pay the extra to put the mrs on it.

I have it, mainly as I got it at my last company and chose to continue the payments when I left. I personally feel that with cycling its almost a necessity. You dont know how bad your next crash could be. A mate broke his neck and the NHS didnt even managed to diagnose it, private saw him diagnosed and operated on in two days and he lived like a king in recovery.

If you are unsure there are some that offer a half and half option where if your NHS appointment will be more than say 6 weeks away, then you can use the private option. If the NHS can fulfill your need inside that time then you stick with them. A nice, cheaper, halfway house if you dont want to go the whole hog.

We have private cover for the family. NHS waiting lists can be very long from what I've seen. Fingers crossed, not had to actually make use of it yet, but nice to have peace of mind.

Only through work, wouldn't spend my own money on it. Never used it in 20 odd years of being covered.

Through my employer.

Been very useful over the years and worth the (small) amount I effectively pay for it via reduced tax code.

Yes, have cover as an employment benefit.

I tend to subscribe to the concept that the NHS is the best place for urgent and major care, and just cherry pick private for anything more routine.

I tend not to believe that private = better. It's the same people treating you after all....

Have had it since I started working for various Americans back in 2001. Not used it, but those that have seem pleased. Dell generously added the rest of my family on for nowt last year. Some company policies won't pay for "investigative" work which is odd seeing as half the waiting time in the NHS can be for a referral appointment.

Dunno how true this is, but friends in the know suggest using NHS for emergencies and paying for private treatment in NHS hospitals for surgery as the out of hours cover in private hospitals can be the local ambulance service.

I've had it for 20+ years with work and my wife has used it a bit, I haven't.
Hard to tell how much waiting time was saved TBH.

One concern we had was an operation she had in a Nuffield hospital that had complications, in the end they decided to call an ambulance to take her to the local general as they were worried they may need an ICU.
As it turned out they didn't but it was a big concern.

Not sure I'd willingly pay for private health ins TBH - not yet anyway.

I have it, have had it for a long time, it now has my son and me on it.
im probably paying too much, but its now like the lottery ticket in reverse, if I don't do it I might lose out.
im pretty sure that if cancelled it then god forbid my son might need to use it.
I reckon ive spent about £80,000 on it 25 years,
the claims ive had over that time

L4 back surgery
3 ACL arthuroscopy
Hernia
and most recently a frozen shoulder procedure.

so I have paid a lot more than i`ve used, but what would I have to show for that money now? for me it was worth the cost.
I will probably stop paying when I retire in 8 years and put my faith in the nhs

Interesting....
I'm thinking about this at the moment. I currently get free BUPA care at work but that's about to change (was free for 12 months)It will now cost me £14 a month which is not massive amount.
Is this a good price? Never really looked into it before.

Is that £14 per month before tax?

My taxable benefit is ~£400/yr so £14 a month sound cheap.

I have it through work. Used it four times in 10 years.
When I had a problem it was fixed quickly.
I now pay extra to cover my family. ~£300 per year.

Is this a good price? Never really looked into it before.

Very low. If you were buying it as an individual it would probably cost 10x more.

I would not personally have it not because it is bad but because I believe in universal healthcare. Bit of a split in my family my grandparents have and use it a lot. My mother gets a family cover as part of her package at work but refused to sign up to it.

Yes, through work. We pay the extra to have my wife on it too. I think the NHS is great for a lot of stuff, particularly life-threatening things, but lower priorities can take ages. You may get injured and be OK to do the basics and get to work but not ride - I'd be wanting to get it fixed ASAP and that's what private is great for.

Only benefit so far for me was £250 cashback off my new bike via Evans. Need to find out how long I have to wait before doing that again!

I have BUPA through work, used it 2 or 3 times in 12 years. It is certainly quicker for physio or something non essential but I am not sure I would have it if it wasn't paid by work.

Had it as a benefit for 13 years in my last job. The one time I actually needed to go into hospital for something major, I wasn't covered. Was a bit miffed.

Rachel

No - but mainly because I'm not sure of the value as a private individual. Perhaps healthcare around here is better than elsewhere. Physio I am able to get through my GP for example.

In terms of elective surgery - I looked at the private option for a procedure, but tbh the saving of about 6 weeks versus a £3000 bill didn't seem worth it for something that wasn't causing me any major issues - and it was day surgery anyway. I also could've had the procedure done in the private hospital with the NHS paying (as I think everyone can chose to now) but didn't as I don't think tax money should be used to pay for private provision - different than individual paying directly or through insurance.

I also think - but happy to be corrected - that private doesn't cover emergency/urgent or serious medical (ie cancer) treatment - which is where healthcare really counts for me.

We've got it as a family.
My GP told me I might have bowel cancer a few weeks ago. GP said it'd be at least a 6-8 week wait for an appointment with a consultant then further wait for a colonoscopy.
Total panic panic from the wife.
Call to bupa.
Two consultants seen and colonoscopy dealt with within one week.

=worth it.

[quote=jam bo said]My taxable benefit is ~£400/yr so £14 a month sound cheap.

If that's just the reduction in your tax allowance then it will only actual cost you £400 * your marginal tax rate. So for a 20% tax payer £400 * 20% = £80.
(approximately, I guess NI comes into play also but even so, the sums are small).

I have it for me, and the whole family, as part of my employment benefits package. On the two occasions I've used it it has been very good. Both were for knee surgery.

My ACL diagnosis, MRI, consultation, surgery and physio all happened in a couple of months. It would have taken me six months at the time for my first consultation with a NHS consultant. That delay would have led to a longer recovery time apparently.

All of the consultations, scan and surgery happened at times that suited me rather than the NHS so I was able to fit them in around work. Also, I got a cup of coffee, an apology and a copy of the Times to read when they were running five mins late to do my scan. I doubt very much that would have been my experience had I been going through the normal NHS process.

If I didn't have it through my work would I pay for it? Probably.

flatfish - That's me corrected re-cancer[s] treatment[/s] diagnostics [edit]. But I'm pretty sure it is a two week max referral time for cancer diagnostics. I would raise a complaint with your local CCG.

But I'm pretty sure it is a two week max referral time for cancer diagnostics.

MIL was seen within a week after finding a lump in her breast, treatment started within 2 weeks.

Mrs OD also seen in about a week, by NHS, for breast lump. Turned out to be a cyst (as expected by GP) which was drained at the same appointment

Standard life through work here. Only used once in anger, very efficient.

So, for those of you who pay for it privately, (ie not with work) how much do you pay? The last time I looked, it was going to be best part of £2k/year for fairly* comprehensive cover. You could get it for about 1/2 that if you didn't include a bunch of things like the big C.

I think I'm of the mind that like with any insurance, its all about the gamble. But the gamble is skewed in this instance as the NHS is on your side should your numbers not come up. Think I'm going to put the money in a account as the "medical fund" and payg if required.

*The usual no pre-existing conditions, no a&e etc.

No - was offered it when I worked for a big company, refused to have it. That was a hassle with HR.

Double post.

especially if you're concerned about riding injuries

Been MTBing since 1987 and mallet finger is the worst injury so far....

I pay for it (or at least the tax through work).

TBH I'm planning on canceling it, it's £50 a month and it only covers what the NHS covers, but possibly quicker.

Whereas they also offer a 'cash plan' which pays for physio/consultants/dentist/opticians etc for £20, which seems far better VFM as it's covering the holes in the NHS cover.

[quote=thisisnotaspoon said] it's £50 a month

Really ? Or is that your tax code adjustment ?

Lucky you - broken wrist and elbow at the same time, both needed plating 3 surgeries in total - 3 weeks in trauma ward, 6 months physio - NHS were amazing.

+1, on the big stuff the NHS is brilliant (3 broken arms for me), it's the minor niggly stuff it falls short on as their aim is to get you back to being functional rather than 100%, so if you go in at 95% with a niggling knee pain then you get nowhere as you're still 'OK'. Hence why I'm tempted by the cheaper health plan option.

Really ? Or is that your tax code adjustment ?

Yes, wife gets it through work & i'm on it.

We've both used it, she's had a couple of operations. To us, it's worth it.

The convenience of appointment times, the speed and going somewhere that's not a dump for them is nice.

She would still be waiting to see (probably the same) consultant for a knee op that was done 6 months ago on her PMI.

If we didn't have it through work, I think we would probably still pay for it.

Lots of knee surgery being done privately it seems - is that a cyclist/sportist thing, a private healthcare thing or a gap in NHS provision thing?

No, we're working class, never ill, if i ever get anything too dodgy there's a train line 30mtrs away.

Yes through work as a benefit. Wife and boys up until they are 24. Optical and dental too. We get our money's worth and break even on the cost with dental and optical.

I'm using it ATM for my back. The injections I had in June I would still be waiting for on the NHS. But this process is taking longer than I'd like. I've been in a lot of pain since March with only a few weeks of relief when some of the previous injections have worked.

My Wife had a suspect lump three years ago. Saw her GP on the Tuesday, saw the consultant, not an underling, on the following Monday, including ultra sound and mamogram, OP on the Thursday. Tests revealed nothing, thank dog.

Would I pay for it as a personal policy? Not sure. Any new job would have to have it included though.

(Part of my Socialiast heart dies a little bit when I have to admit to have private medical treatment though)

Lucky you - broken wrist and elbow at the same time, both needed plating 3 surgeries in total - 3 weeks in trauma ward, 6 months physio - NHS were amazing.

So, for those of you who pay for it privately, (ie not with work) how much do you pay?

I think it's about £130 per month for our family of 4, no previous medical problems. That's for the full-monty Bupa package with full national choice of hospitals, diagnosis, etc, etc, etc.

Part of my Socialiast heart dies a little bit when I have to admit to have private medical treatment though

I'm surprised how many people object to the principle of private medical care. It's not like you get to opt out of paying your taxes, so you're still contributing exactly the same amount to the NHS and actually using less of their limited services. Or have I missed something here that I should be ashamed of?

[quote=moshimonster said] Or have I missed something here that I should be ashamed of?

Preferential treatment [queue jumping] based upon ability to pay. Not exactly a socialist ideal.

Or have I missed something here that I should be ashamed of?

Probably some misconception about queue jumping elitism

Preferential treatment [queue jumping] based upon ability to pay. Not exactly a socialist ideal.

Yeah, I thought it might be that. Think I can live with that.

if it was needed to get treatment for something serious ASAP rather than wait !?!?

If you needed treatment for some thing serious, urgently, then the NHS is by far the best system, and because it is some thing serious and urgent you will get dealt with quickly and effectively.

Private health is good for when you think some thing is not quite right, and the NHS was would be an 18 week que.

The other option as mentioned about is either to enter the NHS system, but then speed things up where you can ie by paying for the MRI etc.

The other option is to see your GP, and say you want a private referral to a consultant. You then pay for the private consultation and any tests etc. You can then be referred back in to the NHS system.

Always bear in mind that Private Hospitals are staffed and equipped to the minimum needed, so if some thing goes wrong, ie you start dying on the operating table, they will literally dial 999 and ask for an Ambulance to take you to the nearest NHS hospital 😀

apart from just not jumping the queue but joining another queue and shortening the one that everyone else is in. One of the better ways of helping the NHS.

Lots of knee surgery being done privately it seems - is that a cyclist/sportist thing, a private healthcare thing or a gap in NHS provision thing?

I had mine done on the NHS.

The NHS system is setup to save money and the consultants time so you have to go through the GP, then physio, then see a consultant, then have an op. PHI just skips straight to the consultant and maybe a scan which maximises time saving to you (2 weeks rather than 6+ months) but isn't a very efficient use of the consultants time as he'll have to see everyone and send some back for physio rather than an op.

Or have I missed something here that I should be ashamed of?

PHI give you ~20min with them whenever you ask for it.

NHS gives you ~5 minutes with them once you definately need it. So for every PHI cases they see they cant see 4 NHS cases, and on average the NHS cases were probably in greater need whereas a GP or physio (or registrar, junior Dr, etc) may be better to deal with some of the PHI cases.

i have full cover with Pruhealth. with the savings i make with their vitality rewards such as half price gym membership at virgin active and free cinema ticket per week i break even with the premium.

NHS gives you ~5 minutes with them once you definately need it. So for every PHI cases they see they cant see 4 NHS cases, and on average the NHS cases were probably in greater need whereas a GP or physio (or registrar, junior Dr, etc) may be better to deal with some of the PHI cases.

It's not queue jumping and it benefits the NHS as you don't sit on the NHS waiting list for treatment and then the NHS dont have to fund your treatment as you are at a Nuffield or similar hospital having it done.

This leave a space on the NHS waiting list for others and frees up the doctors and nurses to do other things.

consultants and Dr's are a finite resource, there are only so many very good Dr's in each specialism that become consultants. So their time/expertise is precious.

So far I haven't needed any consultations at all. But I'm still helping to pay their salaries am I not? If nobody paid privately would there still be the same number of consultants?

Working with a hospital who want to change the method of operation to speed up the time to surgery as the impact of not having it in a lot of cases costs more than leaving it and the savings you describe.

But interesting most CCG's are actually delaying surgery currently.

Hospitals and GP's in many areas are being asked to refer to Physio, rather than progressing to surgery in order to 'save' cash. This saves the CCG's cash in their current financial year. Is this short sighted.. doesnt matter to the CCG they get funded on an annual basis, and have to hit a certain surplus at financial year end regardless.

The one that my employer pays for is pants. Before any treatment you have to get a letter from your GP (which you have to pay for) and then you have to pay the first £100 of any treatment as an excess. It might come in handy one day, but I mostly rely on the NHS..........

[quote=hooli said]It's not queue jumping

It is you know 🙂

Yep it's madness what passes as a good idea when you deal with just numbers not outcomes. Annual budgets are the biggest barrier to improvement as every time you want to spend or look at something it means children die etc.

Hmm...I think it depends on how often you get ill, injured and/or need Physio.

Wife and I are covered by her works BUPA scheme. She has hardly ever had to use the BUPA cover, and the last minor surgery that she had to have done was on the NHS - and she hardly had to wait for this.

I've got a legacy of old sports injuries (and have had a couple of bike related injuries :oops:), so virtually live at the local private Physio practice! Oh, I've also had knee arthroscopy done - this and the associated physio made the BUPA cover worthwhile.

The latest couple of times that I've needed more serious stuff, like MRI scans, I've been impressed by the speedy NHS response. I injured my lower back, saw my GP on the Weds afternoon and she said I needed an MRI scan, later in the afternoon got a call from the local hospital - can I go in the following day (choice of times available!). More recently I've badly injured my shoulder and need an Arthroscopy/MRI scan, and if I'd have gone with the NHS, they could have got me in for the scan quicker than BUPA hospital.

So, mixed bag really, but IME, the NHS is pretty good, apart from lingering injuries that need physio.

NHS here although I can get physio referrals through work.

Seen my GP 2 weeks ago for dysphagia and heartburn, made me an appointment there and then to see a consultant within a week. 2 days later a nurse specialist rang to say they had enough info so I'd get a gastroscopy without seeing the consultant made the appointment there and then. 9 days I had to wait due to my shift pattern, had that done Tuesday got the results 10 mins after the procedure all for paying a few taxes.

Gawd bless the NHS.

Was definitely queue jumping when the wife did it. Same hospital, same staff, same MRI machine. Just a 1 week wait rather than 3 months. They block book chunks of time on the machine.

allthepies - Member
hooli said » It's not queue jumping
It is you know

Unless I misunderstood the :-), can you tell me why it is?

You are not jumping the queue, you are getting out the queue and going elsewhere so the queue speeds up.

Gawd bless the NHS.

They block book chunks of time on the machine.

[quote=hooli said]
You are not jumping the queue, you are getting out the queue and going elsewhere so the queue speeds up.

Go to GP, GP recommends referral to consultant. Waiting time in the months category.
Tell GP I have private medical insurance, GP takes that on board. Appointment arranged for the *same* consultant (on their private list) within a week.

If that's not queue jumping then I don't know what is.

Appointment arranged for the *same* consultant (on their private list) within a week.

If that's not queue jumping then I don't know what is.

Go to GP, GP recommends referral to consultant. Waiting time in the months category.
Tell GP I have private medical insurance, GP takes that on board. Appointment arranged for the *same* consultant (on their private list) within a week.

If that's not queue jumping then I don't know what is.

Ok, that's not my experience. I was sent to a private hospital so had nothing to do with the NHS after seeing my GP.

Consultants see patients privately in their own time, it does not effect the NHS list at all. In essence you are reducing the NHS waiting list.

MRI's are a catch 22. More people are being referred for MRI's becuase they are non invasive and give a lot of answers very quickly. Clinically they are a big positive. The cost of an MRI scan is covered by the income received from the CCG.

The issue is capacity, and. The answer is to buy more scanners, but hospitals can not afford the capital out lay to buy more.

Any yes hospitals do block out time for use by private hospitals. This where it becomes a bit more grey. The hospital will not loose financially on this, but many times it is done 'collaboratively' as the hospital consultant will also tend to have a financial stake in the local private hospital. 8)

[quote=hooli said]
Ok, that's not my experience. I was sent to a private hospital so had nothing to do with the NHS after seeing my GP.

Lots of NHS consultants also work in private hospitals. It's not a mutually exclusive thing. All the consultants I've seen privately are also employed by the NHS. They just have NHS time and private practice time. They run surgeries at private hospitals and also NHS hospitals.

It's great when it works Drac, but sometimes it lets people down leaving them with stuff that could be sorted in a few weeks but due to not enough cash or capacity get shunted on and turn into worse things. I would actively encourage people to lift themselves from the NHS and go private, it's like paying more tax as you get quicker treatment in some cases, more in others and also reduce the cost to the NHS. It's the most socialist thing you can actually do, those who can afford it and don't are really just being greedy.

Agree with you there Mike. Following my bike accident surgery was needed and the 18 week wait time was exceeded. Chased it via GP surgery who contacted hospital who said 'we're busy and no, you can't go anywhere else'.

Ended up paying for op privately, consultant worked both private and NHS. Name wasn't taken off NHS waiting list and they contacted me 7 months after to give me a date for the op. 😯

Told them it was too late, I wrote a stinking letter to hospital management. They don't give a stuff and meanwhile my taxes continue to contribute to a system that continues to utterly fail me. 😐

Allthepies - whats the point you are making though?

The Consultant will be contracted to the NHS say 40hrs per week. If he/she chooses to then do an additional 20hrs private that is up to them.

In no way does it reduce the number of people they see in their contracted 40hrs in the NHS

FunkyDunc - the Consultant I saw worked 4 days NHS and 1 day private.

those who can afford it and don't are really just being greedy.

Sorry but I have real problem with this. Just because I can afford to pay extra doesn't mean I should and doesn't make me greedy for wanting the same serivce as everyone else.

Cinnamon - Not sure why you were treated so badly, you have every right to choose a different hospital, and you have to be offered an alternative if you are to breach 18 weeks.

All I can think is that it was none essential surgery?

FunkyDunc - the Consultant I saw worked 4 days NHS and 1 day private.

Yep, so the NHS only paid him/her for 4 days work per week. What he does on the other 3 days of the week is for him/her to decide.

The hospital would have employed Consultants based on what services they have to provide/capacity needed/how much income they could generate/what they can afford.

They obviously chose to employ your consultant 4 days per week.

My ACL diagnosis, MRI, consultation, surgery and physio all happened in a couple of months. It would have taken me six months at the time for my first consultation with a NHS consultant. That delay would have led to a longer recovery time apparently.

This is very far from being the case with the nhs currently in my experience. I injured my knee in feb and had surgery in 4 weeks for cartilage tear, at this point they found acl was torn too. Had surgery within 6 months of original injury and that even accounting for having to delay the acl op till I had recovered enough from the first op.

FunkyDunc - I was told that because I'd been taken into A & E it meant that all my scans/x-rays were there and that hospital had to be used, basically I was fobbed off. They wouldn't give me an alternative as there wasn't one. Shoulder separation needing metal work, it hurt.

Can I ask about this:

The hospital would have employed Consultants based on what services they have to provide/capacity needed/how much income they could generate/what they can afford.

In the case of a backlog is there no way of getting extra capacity?

In the case of a backlog is there no way of getting extra capacity?

Yes hospitals do do additonal lists where the consultant will come in at the weekends etc, or do and evening list. Ok your Consultant who does private practice may not do these, but there are always Staff grade/Senior Reg's who will.

However there are always going to be limiting factors ie bed space, thatre time, finances, diagnostic capacity.

This is where people have to start thinking differently about the NHS. If you want no waiting list, then you need to put cash in for all of the above, and certainly with the economy as it is currently, there just isnt the capital to invest millions.

Unless I misunderstood the :-), can you tell me why it is?

You are not jumping the queue, you are getting out the queue and going elsewhere so the queue speeds up.

As others have said it's the same person at the end of the queue, you just pay more to be in the shorter queue.

In reality I don't see it as being too bad if it didn't exist taxes would have to go up to pay all those consultants for their 5th day, those taxes disporportionaly come from higher earners paying 40% rather than 20% or 0%, so it's the same people paying regardless. PHI just gives them more for their extra money. Which whilst not part of a socialist utopian dream, is possibly fairer.

FunkyDunc - thank you for explaining.

This thread reminded me to call up and sort out my work cover. Not sure I'd pay for it if it wasn't provided by work. Given that me & my wife both do quite a lot of biking it seems worth having.