Private health insurance?

[Littlebirdy34]

I haven't been diagnosed yet or even had a consultation appointment. I just wondered if private health insurance was a route to go down or if there was too many clauses regarding endo and the position I'm in.

Would love some advice.

[Nicola2401]

Hello!

I had my first lap (incl. consultation and follow-ups) via private health insurance that I had through my previous employer and it was all absolutely fine - I checked it out with my provider beforehand and they told me it would all be covered.

The difficulty came when I left that job (and therefore left the health insurer) and then tried to apply for more health insurance to cover my second lap, which they said nobody would cover me for as it then was classed as a pre-exisiting/chronic condition, so I had to fund the second lap myself. There was of course the NHS route as well, but I had been on the waiting list for a consultation for so long and was in so much pain that I couldn't wait any longer so went private.

Long story short, shop around for the health insurance that covers you for a diagnostic lap and you should be fine.

Good luck! x

[Littlebirdy34 in reply to Nicola2401]

Really appreciate the reply. Thank you, I'll take a look into it x

[Starry]

If you're already insured I'd highly recommend claiming, I've had a great experience with mine.

Be aware though, that if you already suspect Endo, have symptoms and take out a new policy deliberately intending to make a claim you are actually committing fraud, even if you are not yet diagnosed. To my knowledge no new personal policy underwriter covers pre existing conditions, though some employer schemes do.

[Dollyed]

I have my consultation arranged with gynaecologist with vitality. I got my nhs GP to refer me. Not had my appointment yet it’s in a week xx

[Krisztina111]

Health insurance company will ask for “Medical history “ from your GP.

If it’s nothing on the list relating to Endo, you’re fine.

[rhia0901]

Hi,

I agree - if you've already got private health insurance then definitely use it, I had my lap privately and it was totally worth it.

However, if you haven't already got health insurance I agree with the poster above. I've had endo symptoms for about 10 years but never diagnosed. It wasn't until they had got a lot worse and I had finally found a doctor who knew what he was talking about that endo was considered. My health insurer was happy to cover the diagnostic tests, but if it came up it was endo and related to the pains etc i had previously, they wouldn't cover any treatment after that as it was technically a pre-existing condition. Thankfully my surgeon treated it at the same time as diagnosis so they covered it, but I imagine if I had to have another lap they won't.

X

[Jojo19732012]

There is a few companies out there that cover pre existing conditions. But in order to claim you cannot have had any treatment/problems for the condition for 2/3 years. The Exeter used to do this but I’m not sure if they still do now.

[Popetta]

Hello all,

In case it helps any of you out there, there are still Medical Insurance Providers that disregard your medical history (i.e: pre-existing conditions). However, please note that they will not cover chronic conditions. I found out the hard way So to give you an example, when my employer changed provider and insurance type: to Bupa & Medical History Disregarded (MHD), I signed up as I would now be eligible.

When I originally asked Bupa if they cover endometriosis including diagnostic laparoscopy, they confirmed "yes" they do.

Although I can say that my private medical insurance does help in terms of gaining access to quality specialists, access to a wider variety of tests (for diagnostic purposes) and reducing waiting time to be seen, unfortunately given that I keep being fobbed off with IBS (which I may have, but don't believe is the cause of all my incapacitating pain and other rotten symptoms) one of the measures advised by the gastro specialist (to see a senior dietician) is not covered, which means my only option is to go back to NHS and be referred by them. In the meantime I am stuck with no treatment plan and suffering in silence. In this sense going private hasn't helped my case at all.

I think this is just standard gastro protocol (I already went that route via NHS which proved totally useless, low FODMAP diet did absolutely nothing to improve my symptoms nor did it ease my chronic horrible daily pain).

So until then my case is "on hold", however should I find a big delay I will re-book a follow-up consultation with the gastro, as well as the gynae.

Best of luck.