Private Health Care

[cpt13]

I have a general question. Anybody a member of Benenden Health Care? I would like to get some views on what they offer? Has anybody undergo any surgical operations with them?

[Runrig01]

I have a friend who has private insurance, and had knee replacements under Benenden healthcare. She was very pleased with her treatment and aftercare. I assume you already have insurance, as they don’t cover pre existing conditions when you set it up, that includes anything that would result in surgery, as a result of the pre existing condition. She did say, she didn’t receive much physio after surgery, compared to what you get on the nhs, but she’s very motivated and followed the exercises on the sheet she was given. She also doesn’t have an inflammatory arthritis, but takes high dose steroids for polymyalgia. Hope things work out for you.

[DelicateInput in reply to Runrig01]

I think you have the wrong name. Benendon does cover pre-existing conditions. It does not cover joint replacement. I was a member for 15 years.

[medway-lady]

Yes I am and it’s good I used it for GP as quicker than getting to see GP. But bear in mind when I joined with my husband years ago it was a 6 month wait to access now I think I read somewhere it’s 2 years. It’s a bit of a journey to get too from North Kent but nice hospital. Its not expensive and they list the services provided on the website. So far I’ve not needed surgery but my friend had a hysterectomy and said good.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to medway-lady]

Our friends have Beneden but when the husband needed a hernia operation he felt unable to go to their hospital for it and ended up going somewhere much closer to home and paying privately. His wife doesn’t drive at the moment and he knew he wouldn’t be able to drive after the op.

[medway-lady in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I doubt they will do serious stuff for me either with CKD but for the minor long waiting lists stuff it’s probably good. As I said I’ve not needed surgery but did get advice from a GP which was good. It might depend on what is wanted. I thought I might need some help with an Urology issue but the local hospital has been great. So fortunately not needed. My son gets it as Civil Servant he’s had some stuff done with a punctured ear drum but he’s otherwise healthy.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to medway-lady]

Yes, I think for something straightforward and not too major it would be very good. Ouch, punctured ear drum sounds very painful.

[DelicateInput in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Lot of exclusions with Benenden - heart, cancer and joints. Not a lot left. Also you have to go through the NHS first and Benenden will only pay if the NHS is outside its specified waiting time. I suspect the hassle the NHS on your behalf.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to DelicateInput]

That’s the trouble with exclusions isn’t it.

Years ago when I was young and healthy I gave up the private health I had when I was young and healthy (I can’t remember who they were not BUPA and not Beneden though) when after paying for years I had a problem in my face - I thought sinuses - but no they refused point blank to treat it because it would be ‘tooth related’ and that was without even x-raying it to find out! So I took umbrage and left.

In the end I just paid privately and ended up having an apisectomy, so it was tooth related, had I thought about the future I should just have gritted my teeth (hmmm) and stayed with them I bet I would have got my money’s worth in the last few years.

[Amnesiac3637]

I’m not but close friends are and have been for years. They’re very impressed and have had good treatment. Neither of them though have had pre-existing conditions -think those are not accepted- and they joined some years ago when it was cheap (about £15 pcm) and they didn’t have to wait as long to be accepted. He has had surgery quickly done and she has an ongoing health condition which is being treated considerably faster than the creaking NHS can manage.

If you are prepared to accept their terms and conditions I would recommend Benenden on the basis of reports from my friends.

[Gottarelax]

I'm with Benenden and they have been good for consultations. I haven't needed surgery. My brother had knee surgery with them on both knees. He had a bash on one of them during recovery and is now going for total replacement in that knee but they won't fund it. He's still going private with them as they do a reduced fee but it's still a small fortune. It's also a pain for him to get to Kent for consultations.

[AgedCrone]

The first thing you need to do, is to find out is if Benenden have any hospitals or doctors near where you live.

I joined a few years back, & for the condition I wanted what they offered was miles away…so I had to leave.

Also if you have any existing pre conditions there are quite complicated conditions to conform to.

But do investigate…many people are very happy with what they provide.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to AgedCrone]

That’s exactly what happened with our friend. I don’t know if he has left then or not though. I hadn’t realised they had specific hospitals and doctors.

[MadisonCounty]

I belong to Benenden. When my GP first suspected RA there was a very long waiting list so I used Benenden to be seen privately. I only had to wait about 2 weeks. They paid for an initial consultation, all the tests and a follow up consultation. Once diagnosed, I was able to see the same consultant on the NHS, however I did pay for another consultation before my NHS appointment. The real benefit was being able to start the dmards quickly, although I did have to pay for the private prescriptions and medication. I'm not well off but decided it was money well spent. Sorry, I can't comment on operations, but all my dealings with Benenden have been easy and efficient.

[Paulx222]

Hi

I have had 2 surgeries through Benenden and I've had countless appointments and diagnostic tests through them

They are fantastic, but the actual treatments they offer are limited. I use them these days more fir diagnostics.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me, they are now part of BUPA I think.

I've been with them for 20 years.

[Shezza39]

I had carpal tunnel surgery with Benenden a few years ago. Excellent care and they accept pre-existing conditions.

I used them last year for diagnostics for RA as waiting list for rheumatologist in my area is 102 weeks! I’ve therefore been able to start Dmards so much faster.

Rheumatologist referred me to nhs but as he’s not a consultant in my Trust area I am having reviews with him via Benenden in the meantime.