Benenden Health Care

We aren’t with Benenden, but our Private Healthcare doesn’t cover us for pre-existing conditions and due to our ages it is expensive.

We’re members of Benenden and have been for about 8 years, DH had his cataracts done through them at no cost. They’re always at the end of a phone to answer any questions.
DD is waiting to hear from them about having a hysterectomy she was due to have the operation in the months following lockdown.
Apart from the fact you have to be with them for 6 months to gain access to diagnosis and treatment there are no drawbacks.
After joining you have immediate 24/7 access to medical and support helplines.
They do accept pre-existing medical conditions and all UK. residents can join regardless of their medical history.

They don’t pay for angiograms if there are heart concerns

I used to work for Nuffield. Benendon was the least good insurance according to my friend in accounts.

We’ve been with Benenden for years. Over the years I’ve had gall bladder removal, cataracts removal, mri scans and various other issues treated at no additional cost.

Well worth the monthly fee imo.

I used to work at BMI healthcare and the Consultants were very wary of taking on anyone who had Benenden. Apparently that particular insurance company wouldn’t cover a wide range of things.

I think it depends what you need them for
We were with Benenden when I worked for the Civil Service. When DH was diagnosed with cancer, Benenden were useless. They said they would give him funds for new clothes if he lost weight, which he didn't. Money towards hospital parking for which we claimed a small amount. Treatment wise, no help at all. My husband had his cataracts done on the NHS. No need for Benenden. We e cancelled it.

Been in for 40 years. Used a lot. They do say at beginning that they don’t include cancer. What they do include is well worth the small amount you pay each month. £20+ for a couple. They use a private hospital for your treatment.

The later you join, the more expensive and so many things excluded.

Kate1949 I think Benenden state they do not cover cancer care because that would be fast-tracked anyway by the NHS.

MawtheMerrier I have belonged to Benenden for many years and paid for DH and did pay for any children still at home too.

Benenden is a top-up scheme, ie it is not a full private healthcare scheme but, if you cannot get an appointment with the NHS in a reasonable time, you can apply to see a private specialist.
DD saw someone the next day when she had a problem which the GP dismissed - it did require minor treatment and Benenden were excellent.
DH has benefitted twice when waiting lists for operations with the NHS were very long (or in one case the NHS Consultant he saw for a hernia forgot to put him on the list then said he'd have to go to the end of the queue!).

I haven't applied for anything but am going to enquire about knee operations as I understand the NHS waiting list in Wales is 4 years.

So, it is of limited benefit but that is reflected in the price.

I don't know about exemptions for pre-existing conditions, sorry.

I think they have their own hospital in Kent (at Benenden).
They use the services of other private hospitals throughout the country too.

From the website:

Simple – everyone is accepted for the same price with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Smart – we complement the great work of the NHS and exclude some of the major things they do well.

Affordable – only £11.90 per person, per month, with no quotes and no excesses to pay. The price doesn’t rise with age or service use but is reviewed annually

Callistemon21

From the website:

Simple – everyone is accepted for the same price with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Smart – we complement the great work of the NHS and exclude some of the major things they do well.

Affordable – only £11.90 per person, per month, with no quotes and no excesses to pay. The price doesn’t rise with age or service use but is reviewed annually

I pay more than twice that for my monthly Denplan Direct Debit.

Yes Callistemon they do state that to be fair. My husband was sent to a private hospital for his radiotherapy through the NHS which was great. We found that things we applied to Benenden for it was always 'We don't cover that'. I'm sure they're great for some things.

Yes, I knew they were limited when I joined, Kate1949 but I'm sure they used to pay fully for knee operations!

We’ve been with them for at least 40 years. My H had a varicose vein operation and I’ve had physiotherapy and am seeing an endocrinologist through them. I may well eventually have cataracts done. No, they don’t cover everything so you need to read up first on what they do cover but for under £12 each a month you can’t expect to be fully covered.

We have been members fir 15 years. The monthly fee is £11.75 per person. It us not private health care per se, it coukdnt be at that rate. Its easy to check what conditions are covered by googling or phoning them.
To the gran who asked, hips and knees are chargeable, but at a reduced rate fir members, cancer not covered as has been said treatment woukd be fairly swift on the nhs. It is there as a top up, if nhs waiting lists are too long. You need a letter from gp confirming nhs wait length.
Benenden hospital started as a TB hospital fir post office workers in the 19 th century. Its new buildings are really fabulous but if you live too far arrangements are made fir patients to attend hospitals closer at no extra expense.
Until recently it was only for public servants and local authority workers etc but has been opened up to everyone of any age as far as I know ( used to be 70) with no questions asked about pre existing conditions.
We have jointly had catacacts, hernia, colonoscopy and tests of all sorts and consider £12 a month which equates to a cup of coffee per week is more than worth it.

So if you have an op on this scheme do you pay for it yourself? I’m a bit confused.

If its covered and a lot are, you dont pay any extra for an operation or test. There isn't a long waiting list so generally an appt is fairly quick.

To the gran who asked, hips and knees are chargeable, but at a reduced rate fir members, cancer not covered as has been said treatment woukd be fairly swift on the nhs

Thanks silverlining the length of time I've been a member and never claimed, I think I've paid for new knees! ?

Forsythia

So if you have an op on this scheme do you pay for it yourself? I’m a bit confused.

DH has had two operations with no extra charge but not had a joint replacement

If you have questions Google or ring them, their offices are based in York and I have always found them to be very helpful.

silverlining48

If its covered and a lot are, you dont pay any extra for an operation or test. There isn't a long waiting list so generally an appt is fairly quick.

Thank you for your answer. I’ll look into this I think.

Fleurpepper

The later you join, the more expensive and so many things excluded.

That’s not the consensus Fleurpepper or what it says on the website.
I fully understand that the “big” things are not covered - for under £12 a month I didn’t expect them to be.
I wondered if anybody had had experience of seeking treatment for an existing condition which might have got worse.

Affordable – only £11.90 per person, per month, with no quotes and no excesses