Private Healthcare

Being ignorant of both private health care and Beneden[never heard of it], and having googled but couldnt find an answer, am I right in thinking that if you live nowhere near Yorkshire, that Beneden is not for you?

For those with the means why not put away what bupa etc would charge and use that towards any treatment (or not, if you stay well.).
We can afford £11 but not £hundreds, and are very happy to have benenden. Horses 🐎 for courses.
They do many operations We have had a few over the years and always been satisfied.

Yes, it seems a bad idea wildswan.
Perhaps they are hoping that lots of people will just go ahead with private appointments. Or perhaps right now, they just have very little idea.

nadateturbe

LOUISA the NHS is wonderful. I couldn't fault the treatment or the staff. The doctors we see privately often work with the NHS as well.
The only problem is accessing it.
My OH has an opthalmology appointment in 4 weeks paid by Benenden. . He has been on the NHS waiting list since June 2022. We rang the NHS department to check the waiting time before booking Benenden and a recorded message said We aren't answering queries about waiting times. They are obviously getting too many calls.
I had a head injury one year ago. My follow up was a telephone call yesterday.
No wonder people are choosing private.

My NHS cardiology wouldn't give me any idea about the waiting time either. I know this must be difficult for them, but if people definitely knew it was going to be six months, or a year before they got to the top of the list, then they would be confident in spending the money privately. Thereby reducing the waiting list.

It was the thought that I could spend a lot of money on a private appointment, and then the NHS appointment arrive the next week that was a bit annoying.

When you ask for a referral to a consultant you are normally given a choice of three in your location to ring and book with. You have an authorisation number and this is given to the one you choose and they are paid by Benenden. You are allowed to spend up to £1800 for each referral.
There are limits on referrals. You can't have two at the same time. However every insurance/plan comes with limits.
I recommend people who are interested read the information on the website thoroughly or ring Benenden, before deciding.

Like Grantanow, we were with CS Healthcare for years and are now with BUPA on an 80/20 basis which has served us well. Over the years DH had surgery for prostate cancer and then a hernia and cataracts, I have had two new knees and cataracts done. I keep up the premiums because I will at some point need at least one new hip. I think we all choose how we spend our money and private healthcare is my big extravagance.

It's very easy to Google and get info.
www.benenden.co.uk/hospitals/

But even with the NHS many have to travel long distances for treatment.
However I think the main benefit of Benenden is that you can get a diagnosis much quicker than with the NHS, which you can take back to your doctor and therefore cut the waiting time for treatment. Or get peace of mind much quicker, if you have symptoms that could indicate something serious.
It's really worth paying for.
Monthly cost is rising to just over £13 in March, which is understandable. Waiting time has increased slightly, also understandable. But waiting 2-3 weeks is much better than a year or more which is pretty standard now in NHS.

Forgot to say that the hospital at benenden also has accommodation for patients and visitors to use if required.

If you live some distance other consultants and hospitals are available.
The head office is in York and always very helpful if you ring.

Chestnut

Don't you have to get treatment at a Benenden hospital? That would not be convenient if you don't live near one, have mobility problems and no car. Especially as it might require several appointments.

No-one has answered my question.

LOUISA the NHS is wonderful. I couldn't fault the treatment or the staff. The doctors we see privately often work with the NHS as well.
The only problem is accessing it.
My OH has an opthalmology appointment in 4 weeks paid by Benenden. . He has been on the NHS waiting list since June 2022. We rang the NHS department to check the waiting time before booking Benenden and a recorded message said We aren't answering queries about waiting times. They are obviously getting too many calls.
I had a head injury one year ago. My follow up was a telephone call yesterday.
No wonder people are choosing private.

Thank you rafichagran. I hope all goes well for you.
Benenden have been very good to me.
I have just added up and I have had £6000 plus in consultations and tests since joining.

My families experience of the NHS is fantastic....I'm in the NW...we have a children's hospital....a neurological hospital ....a cancer hospital....a heart and chest hospital....an orthopaedic hospital....a womens hospital.....as well as general hospitals...all on our doorstep....when I had cancer treatment I had surgery 9 days after my surgery....I've spoken to several people who have initially gone private for cancer care then transferred back to nhs because it take longer ( although the waiting rooms are likely more pleasant)

nadateturbe

I don't care whether you're a solicitor or not. Benenden is good I recommend it to anyone. As a humble civil servant.

Same here, I have had two appointments with them so far and I am having the proceedure for this condition done this month.
I have found them good so far.

My OH paid into a scheme via his union and when I needed treatment he was told that the condition was not covered by the insurance. We wished that we had put the same amount in a savings account as it would have covered the procedure I needed.

I was in CS Healthcare for many years and both of us benefitted with various treatments. CSH was absorbed by BUPA and I'm hoping it will be as good.

£150 per annum, big risk!

I don't care whether you're a solicitor or not. Benenden is good I recommend it to anyone. As a humble civil servant.

And as a retired solicitor I’m pretty good at reading T&Cs! I’m glad you have found them helpful but please remember such treatment as may fall within their ‘accepted procedures’ may be approved or not, at their discretion. Their words, not mine.

Info about self pay. This is in addition to standard Benenden benefits. Would be useful to many.
www.benenden.co.uk/health/self-pay-treatments/

If I needed treatment I would do it through the NHS but using Benenden speeds up the process as consultation and diagnostic tests are done within a very short time.
My GP surgery think Benenden is very helpful. I think as I am a member I know more about it than those who aren't.

Treatment is at their discretion. It’s not guaranteed. There are procedures they may assist with, at their discretion, and conditions they will not consider. They make it very clear that they don’t offer insurance.

Your not replying on their discretion There are rules for what they will or will not pay for. I don't know anyone who is not happy with their service.
Best thing we ever did, joining.

Don't you have to get treatment at a Benenden hospital? That would not be convenient if you don't live near one, have mobility problems and no car. Especially as it might require several appointments.

I did read up on them - but I would rather not rely on their discretion!