Private medical cover- which one, how much?

[Henry Fiddleton]

Hi Chaps,

I think this is the right section. Could be finance!

As I near my 30's I am noticing more things going wrong with me- and I sure it wont stop from now onwards

I am contractor, so the cost would be footed by my own Ltd company (assuming its tax deductable).

Is there anything I should be looking at for health cover? Some places do a £1/day stuff.

Don't really know where to begin..

Thanks,
HF

[Loopyleesa]

I used to have AXA but now have Bupa.

Personally I think AXA is much better than Bupa and it covers more.

Best to have a look through each one and see what cover you are after.

[onesickpuppy]

I'm with Aviva which I find very good, however you probably really need to speak to a specialist to decide what you need as there are so many variables:

Fully underwritten vs Moratorium.

Inpatient/Outpatient/Complementary Therapy etc vs Inpatient Only.

Immediate Referral vs 6 week wait etc.

Full Hospital List vs Limited List (which normally excludes London hospitals).

If you don't know a specialist/broker, I'd be happy to recommend the people I used.

Edited by onesickpuppy on Tuesday 6th March 10:11

[z4chris99]

I looked this up today. for the good cover pay for everything for central London was 104 a month

that was bupa

[bint]

You can also supplement a long term plan with something that helps with regular costs (dentists & opticians) such as www.simplyhealth.co.uk (used to be HSA and I found them very good when making a claim).

[dreamer75]

onesickpuppy said:

I'm with Aviva which I find very good, however you probably really need to speak to a specialist to decide what you need as there are so many variables:

Fully underwritten vs Moratorium.

Inpatient/Outpatient/Complementary Therapy etc vs Inpatient Only.

Immediate Referral vs 6 week wait etc.

Full Hospital List vs Limited List (which normally excludes London hospitals).

If you don't know a specialist/broker, I'd be happy to recommend the people I used.

Edited by onesickpuppy on Tuesday 6th March 10:11

I would be interested in that. Our company health policy used to be with BUPA and was ok, but they swapped it to CIGNA and they won't cover anything that lasts longer than 6 months, or anything in that area of the body forever after. I was looking at private cover to replace it...

[dreamer75]

I did call BUPA and was informed they will not cover pre-existing conditions, even with additional payments etc. PruHealth have a moritorium based policy, where you fess up to a condition, and if you're free of treatment of any sort for 2 years after cover starts, they will cover the condition again (and repeat for years, as long as you have the 2 year gap in between).

Something else worth checking out

Unfortunately BUPA (who my company was with before) are not an option.

Also check with BUPA tehre's been some sort of falling out with BMI hospitals, and when I had my op in January you could not be treated there if you were a BUPA patient.

Just things to look for with the cover.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

£104 is a lot, not sure if I can afford that just yet. Currently shelling out £130/month for my accountant.

The wife has an option to get a partner to her policy, which is around £400/year.

I will ask what kind of cover that includes.

HF

[onesickpuppy]

dreamer75 said:

I would be interested in that. Our company health policy used to be with BUPA and was ok, but they swapped it to CIGNA and they won't cover anything that lasts longer than 6 months, or anything in that area of the body forever after. I was looking at private cover to replace it...

This is who I use:

Philippa Radford

Adviser

The Health Insurance Specialists
www.healthinsurancespecialists.co.uk
tel [phone]
fax [phone]

Mention that I referred you (David Lawson) because I think I get a cheque for £100 for introducing you - I'll split it 50:50 with you if you go ahead.

[The Ferret]

Another vote for Bupa here.

Also worth remembering, even though it will go through your company it will be classed as a benefit in kind, so depending on your salary you will have to pay tax at either 20% or 40% on the cost of the cover.