BUPA - Worth it?

[zedx19]

As I've been with my employer a number of years, they have offered my Bupa cover which I'm considering taking. Its free for me (+ tax) or £57 per year to have my family on it (+ tax). First question, just how much tax is this likely to be, based on 20% tax bracket, although will soon be 40%.

There seems to be a lot of exclusions such as Chronic Conditions, Routine Health Checks, GP Costs, medicine and drugs taken as out-patient, cosmetic surgery, maternity, glasses. These exclusions seem fair to me but are they similar to other employers?

My partner and I have just had our first child, 6 weeks old now and have nothing but praise for our local hospital. Therefore, is it worth paying for private care?

Any help would be much appreciated!

[grumbledoak]

At that price I'd just take it.

[gjf764]

You'll get taxed at your marginal rate on the premium that your employer pays, like the previous poster said, not big bucks.

I'd say go for it, it doesn't cover emergency care or GP services but mine has been brilliant when I've needed bits bolted back together as a result of rugby injuries and also when I needed to speed up specialist investigations with a bizarre allergy.

[rdhawkins]

In my experience private health cover is worth it.

If you need to see someone (ie get referred by your GP) you will get an appointment in weeks rather than months. Invariably its the same consultant/doctor you see you just get to see them quicker.

Rob

[Far Cough]

look at the money supermarket website , loads of info aswell as the which website. Doing exactly the same and going to ditch bupa as ridiculously expensive and similar cover can be had alot cheaper if you tailor your policy to suit you.

[Challo]

I would say yes. I get Bupa cover through work and it has been excellent. I damaged my knee while playing football, and once i visited the GP and mentioned I had private healthcare the process between the GP, Physio, Consultation, MRI, and finally operations was in a matter of weeks. I think full end to end it took around 5/6 weeks through Bupa.

I even was able to choose the dates for MRI Scan and Operation when it suited me, with often a good few choices. I rang Bupa, they checked I was covered and gave me a reference number which I gave in to receptonists for all my appointments. I think the only cost was £200 for the anaesthetist.

Similar friends who needed the same operation took over a 1 year on the NHS, and often taking months to get appointments on the various stages.

[zedx19]

Thanks for the comments, I decided to take the cover in the end, mainly for my families benefit.

[DSLiverpool]

Take it, don't think any more, just cos your not ill don't diss it.