No help from private health insurers

[squirrel70]

My insurer tells me they do not cover glaucoma as it is a chronic condition.

Since the NHS are unable to maintain regular check ups and I have ben told I will need "procedures" it is very worrying.

Has anyone else been turned down by insurers ?

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello squirrel70

From speaking to people on the Helpline, I have heard that this is true. As glaucoma is a chronic medical condition they won't cover the costs. I am not aware if it is all health insurance companies that make this exemption but think it probably likely.

I do know from speaking to someone that their insurance company, cover one follow up appointment a year and as this particular person is seen every six months, they have to pay for second visit in every year.

Hopefully, others will come forward to answer you, to see if it has been the same for them.

[Spanieldoglover]

Hi squirrel70, I had my cataracts done on my insurance and at the same time I was diagnosed with glaucoma. My policy was up for renewal, but after renewing with them they have covered part cost of SLT (won’t pay full consultant cost) for both eyes and said they would cover appointments for a year. After that there was some talk of covering any major change or something but I’m not totally sure. All of this is dependent on me staying with the same insurance company who have already increased my policy by £69 a month! I haven’t yet contacted new insurers but thought it probable that I would have to problem you have come across. It is probably worth shopping around though and would be brilliant if anyone has had any luck and shares that on here.

[Wales99]

My insurance does cover initial diagnosis and appointments up to a year but has now run out so I’m having to self-fund. I work for a private healthcare company and I think you’ll find none of them cover chronic conditions like Glaucoma, migraines, psoriasis, etc. This is because you will have the condition for life & if they covered every chronic condition for everyone they’d go bankrupt. 😊.

[Anonoms]

My husband is experiencing repeated delays with appts. The eye hospital has admitted being at fault for these delays. Now we have started having just a private pressure test and field test from an optometrist, costing around 50.00 we can see whether anything has changed since the previous field test. Indeed the optometrist sent a letter requesting an urgent appt when a field test showed 20% vision loss in one eye since the last field test. It isn't perfect but its cheaper than full blown private care and it did save that eye. He now has another NHS delay so it will be back to the private optometrist.