Has anyone any experience of using private medical insurance in the U.K.? I am afraid that in the event of a claim almost everything is likely to be linked with the pre-existing condition of R. A. and so not eligible for help.
I am anxious not to waste my limited resources but to try to access the best health care possible.
If you declared your RA when you took out the insurance policy, what's the problem? If you have played by the rules, you can phone them up and ask if they will cover you for whatever problem you have, if it is definitely linked to RA then you know they will not cover you, but you knew that when you took the policy out. I really don't know what your problem is?
Reputable insurance companies should be able to tell you what sorts of things they would bundle up as part and parcel of pre-existing condition. The trouble is that with RA so many things are possible that you are correct in thinking cover could be limited. Although quite often there is a time period where cover is limited and then after that you get more benefits.
My mother did keep up health insurance, but I really don’t think she came out financially on top as all her illnesses that turned into long term conditions only paid for first short period. She would have been better to save up and pay directly.
Unfortunately the majority of UK Private Medical Insurance companies regard RA/RD as an incurable condition & will not cover it or anything associated with it.
However subscriptions go sky high as you get older, so I stopped my subscriptions & despite needing quite a few private consultations...mostly not RA related ...I find I am spending less self paying than I would had I continued paying .£zillions each month & not needing any treatment.
You’re right to ask about this. We had private medical insurance for our family and then my daughter was diagnosed with ra age 12. They covered the initial x rays blood tests etc but because it’s deemed a chronic condition they would not cover us for that condition anymore. I agree with agedcrone. We cancelled our insurance and put the money into a savings account. We use the money for private treatment if we need it but pay a lot less doing it this way. I would ignore frreedmans unhelpful and rather hostile response! You are totally right to question this! Good luck
When I looked into this - some time ago now - I came to conclusion that it was more cost effective to save up the money myself for any consultation or treatment I might want to have privately. The premiums for someone with a pre-existing condition were high and the benefits limited. There was a restricted list of both consultants and procedures.
Private rheumatologist
Private rheumatologist 
Private consultation 
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