Suddenly got free BUPA thro work, perhaps I won't retire yet

I do enjoy my job most of the time, and although I have a long drive to work, I feel it's good for me in some ways to have the discipline of work still, just for 2 days. I have no grandchildren or parents to take up my time.

I have been trying to read the small print - the product tier is called "Complete".

The first exclusion I read was about Age - "We don't pay for treatment to relieve symptons commonly associated with any bodily change arising from physiological or natural cause such as ageing or menopause which is not due to any underlying disease illness or injury. "

Maybe I will contact them and ask in a while.

So I would have thought that means possible knee replacement would not be covered!

The small print is always a nightmare.

If you enjoy your job and have reason to think that you may need some treatment in the near future; cataracts, hips, knees and such like then stay on, otherwise retire.

I have no idea what your pension will be, but after signing up to a low cost BUPA type policy when we retired, which we made little use of, we cancelled it and opened a building society account that we call 'The Health Fund'. We put a set sum of money in it each month and now have enough in it to cover most treatments we may need and the sum grows monthly. The money remains all ours and, in extremis, could be used for other purposes.

My OH has private healthcare. It paid for all his cancer treatment 2 years ago and still covers him for follow up appointments, he had a hip revision last year and will have another later this year and he has just seen a Consultant about his eyes. Well worth it to get seen quickly and takes a little bit of the burden from the NHS.

Gosh yes. I had 4 nights in hospital and as much physio as I needed as well as follow up appointments with the consultant.
I didn't feel guilty. I had a retired consultant, retired anaesthetist, retired physio and excellent bank nurses who liked the way they could work shifts flexibly. VG all round!

Actually Charleygirl the aftercare depends on the level of the package. In a fully comprehensive package, there is full aftercare plus access to a 24-hour helpline.

I stayed an extra year at work to have private Glaucoma and cataract surgery. The main benefit was the time the consultant took to explain everything and listen to my worry's. Also ops done quickly so not so much time to worry. I am still under the same consultant with the NHS but I am lucky to get 10 minutes with him. The last time I saw him he said I will see you in 4 to 6 months time. I ended up waiting a year.

Everything Jane10 says!

I've used BUPA too and been very pleased with the treatment and courtesy I received - and the speed of getting an appointment! However not all conditions are necessarily covered by BUPA through work [or probably not at work] so do check out what is on offer.

Everything Charleygirl has said .

When I was discussing the options with the consultant prior to my knee replacement in 2012, he offered me a bed in a private hospital. I turned it down for many reasons, he would not be operating, if I became very unwell, that hospital did not have the facilities and I would be transferred to an NHS one miles away. Discharge sometimes is faster from a private hospital and the after care arrangements are usually non existent.

If you can get teeth and eyes sorted, that would be good but I personally would think twice about major surgery. Frequently one has to pay extra when at home for equipment and physio after private care- it all mounts up.

If you like your job and it isn’t adversely impacting you or your plans then why not? Private healthcare reduces some NHS pressure, it also gives increased comfort in hospital stays and choice over dates. The Consultant is often the same one you would see in your local NHS hospital. 67 isn’t old .

I think that I would be tempted to stay on for a while and get any health issues sorted. If you know that you will need a knee or hip replacement soon then I would take advantage while I could.

If you can face staying on at work go for it! We had BUPA through DHs work and I had to take advantage of it once. A world apart from poor old NHS.
Could you get your knee done? It would be well worth it.

The NHS waiting list for ‘routine operations’ is getting longer every day and the after care is pathetic. I’ve just been helping out a friend who had a knee replacement and I’m shocked.

I’ve only used BUPA a couple of times when I had cover through work, once for physio and once for a scan. Both times I was offered appointments quickly, at times to suit me and treated with dignify and respect. I arrived at my appointment time and was seen immediately. No waiting, no delays.

The results of the scan were fed back to me within the hour by a consultant.

You have nothing to loose by staying on except your freedom. Is there a qualifying period for making a claim or using this perk? Does it include things like replacement of glasses, dentaltreatment, chiropody etc if it does then i would use all of those benefits if i met the criteria and stay at work for the two days if i was still enjoying the job.