BUPA

Often paying for a private consultation and diagnosis will speed up NHS treatment at a small cost
Benenden will do this.

M0nica

We had private health insurance and when we hit 70 the monthly amount we were expected to pay doubled. We worked out that we had paid in around £25,000 over 10 years and only claimed £6,000.

So we opened a savings account, we call the 'Health Fund'. Each month we put in the value of the subscription we used to pay to BUPA. We have never increased it. We now have enough money set aside to pay for any elective surgery we may need, including hip replacement. What is more, all the money we have saved is still ours, all ours and in an emergency can be used for other purposes.

That’s a good plan for anyone who has not got a long-standing BUPA plan, in normal times the NHS will treat you in a reasonable timespan. Often paying for a private consultation and diagnosis will speed up NHS treatment at a small cost.

silverlining48

*Sally*Have a look at Benenden.

I'm with Benenden too.
I pay £11 per month. Its very good value. Supplements NHS care

We had private health insurance and when we hit 70 the monthly amount we were expected to pay doubled. We worked out that we had paid in around £25,000 over 10 years and only claimed £6,000.

So we opened a savings account, we call the 'Health Fund'. Each month we put in the value of the subscription we used to pay to BUPA. We have never increased it. We now have enough money set aside to pay for any elective surgery we may need, including hip replacement. What is more, all the money we have saved is still ours, all ours and in an emergency can be used for other purposes.

SallyHave a look at Benenden.

Subscribing to BUPA in later life is very expensive and they will probably exclude any preexisting conditions. Best option is to pay for any treatment you need as it occurs. Many private hospitals publish a cost guide to give you an idea of the amount involved.

It may not be too much now but once you turn 70 and age it becomes quite expensive.

I became very disillusioned with many aspects of BUPA (I twice waited three weeks to have an initial consultation). Their PR is great but be sure to read between the lines - you will need to understand exactly what is on offer.

I have no idea if other private health providers would be better. The idea of a broker who could obtain quotes for you is sensible however, you will need to remember everything about your past health which can be difficult!

Good luck.

Sorry, not to derail, but I love your username.

It depends on the level you have - there are about 5 different levels and ours is the middle one - so we pay £500 each excess (you pay yourself in that year) and then £400 a month which covers the two of us for the rest of the time. Originally husband's company paid it but on retirement we do! Same age as yourself in my case - have had 2 different types of cancer (breast and uterine) and ablation for AF so defo been worth it in our case - use London hospitals as well. Doesn't cover dentist.

Why BUPA? You should speak to a broker who can get you quotes from different companies depending on the level of cover you require. Eg we are in North London and our cover would double if we wanted to be able to use Central London Hospitals.