I'm in a company scheme GH and the costs therefore might not match up. But we've been through a few over the years and are now currently with Norwich Union Healthcare, which I am told has given us the best value and I can't fault the service so far.
Having worked in a private hospital for many years, I've watched insurance companies tailor their policies to avoid paying out. They have got very clever at it and it's only when people try to make a claim, that they discover that they are not covered because they had failed to read the small print, of which there is a lot. It may say for example, loss of arm. You can have an accident and lose the USE of an arm, but as you've still got an arm, it's not covered. Just watch the small print and declare everything about your medical history. If you fail to tell them something that you had considered trivial, they will use it as an excuse to nullify the policy when you make a claim.
if its likely to affect you check what they cover for pregnancy, because this rules out a lot of conditions that would normally be covered, as we have found out - and that was NU.
[cite]Posted By: razil[/cite]if its likely to affect you check what they cover for pregnancy, because this rules out a lot of conditions that would normally be covered, as we have found out - and that was NU.
We thought the same. I've got a policy through work, with Cigna, with my wife covered too. She was in hospital for two nights following her caesarean. We called them, just on the off chance they'd pay the compensation payment for a stay in an NHS hospital and, bizarrely, they paid up...
My wife was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and was treated through the Royal Marsden Sutton (and Fulham) which for obvious reasons has gained a little more publicity recently. At the time I also had Private Medical cover thru my Employer but it didnt need to pay up a penny as it was all covered by the NHS. So basically it was a waste of money in that situation.
Fantastic treatment and really good people.
I am not so sure with the premiums charged that isnt worth just saving the premium into an account and using it when you need it for non emergency stuff. Its just like any other insurance really but can get confusing in terms of what the NHS already provides.
They saved my life. They're great in an emergency (which the private hospitals aren't geared-up for), though out-patients leaves a little to be desired.....
Agreed. Been scraped off the tarmac a few times in my motorcycling career and the NHS has been great, but then my employer's sickness scheme has also been generous. Just a tip though, many private insurance schemes are null and void should your injuries/illness be caused when riding a motorcycle.
NHS has kept my father alive for the last 40 years so not a bad word from me- amazing in an emergency.
Also when my Kidney stone flared up the were amazing- nevertheless there is definately a market for private medical insurance and, if your employer doesn't offer cover i'd certainly look at a big name specialist company- such as Bupa, Standard Life etc...
Get it explained by an expert- could save a lot of bother, and chances are when that bother comes up you'll have other more pressing things on your mind..
I saw both sides of the NHS when my daughter was born up at the QE Hospital in Woolwich. Total & utter ineptitude during the birth, due to chronic staff shortages, a ward full of NHS tourists and staff with no command of the English language. Followed by 2 months of the most wonderful, professional & attentive medical expertise you could wish for in the Neonatal ward. It's just a shame that (a) led to (b).
I go into a Calgary hospital on Thursday for my first ever operation under general anaesthetic - Septoplasty - and I am not looking forward to it one bit!
Haven't a clue what that is mate, and don't like to ask. but the pre-med stuff they use before they put you right under is truly wonderful, you don't have a care in the world and you're flying!!! Hope they use the same stuff over there.
[cite]Posted By: March51[/cite]Haven't a clue what that is mate, and don't like to ask. but the pre-med stuff they use before they put you right under is truly wonderful, you don't have a care in the world and you're flying!!! Hope they use the same stuff over there.
Thanks March51! It's not the operation it's the aftermath. Not supposed to be the most peasant thing to recover from.
I currently work for a medical insurer (won't say which one), to be honest the service on all of them is very similar, some will have good things to say about one but someone else will have had terrible service so just like any other insurance company. You can get some very cheap prices as a brand new customer, some offer good discounts such as 2 months free if you take out underwriting such as a 2 year moratorium or go with full medical underwriting. A lot of places you can tailor what you want to select certain options that can lower premiums such as limited out patient benefit or not selecting psychiatric benefit. If cancer is a worry then you should check the small print as some will not pay for certain monoclonal drugs after a certain period of time. As for me I am covered by my company but been lucky enough I have never had to use it so I couldn't tell you any first hand experiences.
[cite]Posted By: March51[/cite]Haven't a clue what that is mate, and don't like to ask. but the pre-med stuff they use before they put you right under is truly wonderful, you don't have a care in the world and you're flying!!! Hope they use the same stuff over there.
Thanks March51! It's not the operation it's the aftermath. Not supposed to be the most peasant thing to recover from.
[cite]Posted By: Oakster[/cite]I go into a Calgary hospital on Thursday for my first ever operation under general anaesthetic - Septoplasty - and I am not looking forward to it one bit!
Had that done about 4 years ago mate, so feel free to drop me a line if I can help at all.
[cite]Posted By: March51[/cite]Bloody hell, wish I hadn't looked! At least you're prepared for it and know what to expect : Good luck!!
I thought the worst bit was waking up with two tampons shoved up my nose... that was until I had a nose bleed a few days later and had to have new tampons inserted with the help of some KY jelly, whilst conscious. Not pleasant.
[cite]Posted By: March51[/cite]Bloody hell, wish I hadn't looked! At least you're prepared for it and know what to expect : Good luck!!
I thought the worst bit was waking up with two tampons shoved up my nose... that was until I had a nose bleed a few days later and had to have new tampons inserted with the help of some KY jelly, whilst conscious. Not pleasant.
[cite]Posted By: March51[/cite]Bloody hell, wish I hadn't looked! At least you're prepared for it and know what to expect : Good luck!!
I thought the worst bit was waking up with two tampons shoved up my nose... that was until I had a nose bleed a few days later and had to have new tampons inserted with the help of some KY jelly, whilst conscious. Not pleasant.
[cite]Posted By: Oakster[/cite]I go into a Calgary hospital on Thursday for my first ever operation under general anaesthetic - Septoplasty - and I am not looking forward to it one bit!
Had that done about 4 years ago mate, so feel free to drop me a line if I can help at all.
Cheers Medders, I think i know what to expect. Did it work is my main concern!
[cite]Posted By: Oakster[/cite]I go into a Calgary hospital on Thursday for my first ever operation under general anaesthetic - Septoplasty - and I am not looking forward to it one bit!
Had that done about 4 years ago mate, so feel free to drop me a line if I can help at all.
Cheers Medders, I think i know what to expect. Did it work is my main concern!
Yep, worked fine mate. Had a couple of nose bleeds afterwards but that was due to a combo of an infection and working on the 41st floor of the CW tower...
Afterwards really isnt too bad. Keep plenty of nose dressings handy and plenty of tissues. It's nothing worse than your nose running during a really heavy cold.
Comments
:)
There is a bit of a baby boom at the moment, from what I can see anyway.
We thought the same. I've got a policy through work, with Cigna, with my wife covered too. She was in hospital for two nights following her caesarean. We called them, just on the off chance they'd pay the compensation payment for a stay in an NHS hospital and, bizarrely, they paid up...
My wife was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and was treated through the Royal Marsden Sutton (and Fulham) which for obvious reasons has gained a little more publicity recently. At the time I also had Private Medical cover thru my Employer but it didnt need to pay up a penny as it was all covered by the NHS. So basically it was a waste of money in that situation.
Fantastic treatment and really good people.
I am not so sure with the premiums charged that isnt worth just saving the premium into an account and using it when you need it for non emergency stuff. Its just like any other insurance really but can get confusing in terms of what the NHS already provides.
They saved my life. They're great in an emergency (which the private hospitals aren't geared-up for), though out-patients leaves a little to be desired.....
Also when my Kidney stone flared up the were amazing- nevertheless there is definately a market for private medical insurance and, if your employer doesn't offer cover i'd certainly look at a big name specialist company- such as Bupa, Standard Life etc...
Get it explained by an expert- could save a lot of bother, and chances are when that bother comes up you'll have other more pressing things on your mind..
I go into a Calgary hospital on Thursday for my first ever operation under general anaesthetic - Septoplasty - and I am not looking forward to it one bit!
Thanks March51! It's not the operation it's the aftermath. Not supposed to be the most peasant thing to recover from.
Pain in the Nose!
Best wishes Oakster. Hope all goes well. You can hopefully recuperate listening to some of that fine music of yours.
Had that done about 4 years ago mate, so feel free to drop me a line if I can help at all.
I thought the worst bit was waking up with two tampons shoved up my nose... that was until I had a nose bleed a few days later and had to have new tampons inserted with the help of some KY jelly, whilst conscious. Not pleasant.
Are you here all week?
Wow, thanks for ruining my breakfast....
Any time Dave, any time
Are the Frosties just not tasting the same now?
Sorry mate, have a massive metal bar in my tounge, can only eat soup for a few days...
Did the cervical smear test go wrong?
Cheers Medders, I think i know what to expect. Did it work is my main concern!
Yep, worked fine mate. Had a couple of nose bleeds afterwards but that was due to a combo of an infection and working on the 41st floor of the CW tower...
Afterwards really isnt too bad. Keep plenty of nose dressings handy and plenty of tissues. It's nothing worse than your nose running during a really heavy cold.