How do you sort your illness & health problems here in the UK? I know there is the NHS but I was wondering if it was not safer to take an extra cover (a private one) as I did with the incident cover for DesmoDue...
I've had private cover through my company for ages. It's OK if you've got something that needs sorting out but is not life threatening - like a bad back or knee operation etc. because the NHS will take ages to get you in for an operation because you'll be a low priority case for them even if it's bloody painful. A company like BUPA even covers medical care through accidents caused by bike racing (according to TP), so if you needed some titanium bling screwed into your bones you might be OK for that as well.
So basically, for anything like that, private healthcare helps you dodge the queues and you get to go into a hospital that's more like a hotel.
However, private healthcare doesn't cover long-term illnesses, so if you have the misfortune to develop cancer, heart disease or something like that, then it's back to the NHS for you
I can confirm that for knee operations private cover is a must! I'm with BUPA and they sorted me out double quick and covered everything (rugby injury).
After damaging my knee on Saturday, I went to NHS A&E, where they told me my leg was broken and put me in a cast and told me they'd call me with details of my appointment with an NHS specialist. I never, ever heard from them again....
On Monday I phoned BUPA anyway, and was in to see a specialist on Tuesday. He promptly cut the cast off and diagnosed MCL/ACL damage and not broken bones. By Thursday I was having an MRI scan, for which there is a 4 to 6 week wait on the NHS.
Anyway, enough story, but suffice to say that for an MRI I would have either had to wait those 4 - 6 weeks on the NHS, or pay for one privately which could be about £1000. That £45/month I've been paying for the last 3 years seems worth it now, just covering the MRI!
Fundamentally I don't think things should be this way. I'd love to see a better State health service, but it is what it is and I wouldn't be without private cover now.
I can confirm that after breaking my ankle at Brands Hatch last year I called BUPA and didn't even bother with NHS once I was out of hospital. I went to a private hospital and saw an Orthopeadic Consultant and it was all covered by BUPA.
All the MRI scans and x-rays were covered, even when I requested an MRI to check out the ligament damage - this is something that would never be entertained by NHS.
They covered my shoulder when I trashed it playing rugby. Well worth it I reckon.
Just like any insurance, get a few quotes from different companies. Watch out for their exclusion clauses based on your medical history. For example, if you've had pneumonia in the past, they might not cover any chest related problem in the future!
Jools
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