Medical Insurance

[RitchieJoe]

So I got medical insurance a month a go, bupa to be specific. After running 2 days ago I injured my hamstring, hurts during inactivity but not sure what I have done.

What I wanted to ask is those of you with health insurance do you use it for things like this e.g. physio or only use it for major things? Just wondering if I should use it or wait on the NHS. Now I know you may be thinking why have it if you aren't going to use it ..... the cost will go up.

 

[vickster]

I use it for everything musculoskeletal. You need a referral though from your GP usually. The GP will likely tell you to RiCE it. Here there's an 8-12 week wait for physio, so it's a no brainer to go privately if that's what the GP suggests after a period of rest. My GP basically said the NHS is great if you have a heart attack, a stroke or cancer, but for most other non life threatening stuff, it's less good with long waits

Also look at the policy, if there's an excess, it may not be worth claiming at least yet. And yes if you claim the premium will go up, mine rose from £130 to 150 a month. But I had a lot of treatment including surgery during the premium year.

However, if you arent going to use it, what's the point of having it. Bear in mind, most personal policies won't cover pre existing conditions for 5 years.corporate policies tend to be more open, you don't say if it's through work?

I like private insurance as I can choose whom I see and more importantly when. I have rarely had to wait more than 2 weeks for an appointment or a scan for example. Recently I saw my physio just 5 hours after being referred by my GP, and I've had next day appointments occasionally to see specialists

 

[RitchieJoe]

I'm with bupa and it is private insurance I pay for it's not through work unfortunately. It doesn't have an excess and at the moment I pay £56.60. In my town we have a self referral program for physio..... but you have to be fortunate enough to get through between 9am - 10am otherwise you get an answering machine asking you to ring back the next day.

 

[PK99]

So I got medical insurance a month a go, bupa to be specific. After running 2 days ago I injured my hamstring, hurts during inactivity but not sure what I have done.

What I wanted to ask is those of you with health insurance do you use it for things like this e.g. physio or only use it for major things? Just wondering if I should use it or wait on the NHS. Now I know you may be thinking why have it if you aren't going to use it ..... the cost will go up.

no brainer - insurance excess and no claims discount not withstanding - you want private sports injury focussed physio. NHS will only be interested in getting you mobile for normal life

 

[vickster]

But if it's a strain you need to give it more than 2 days. Rest it for at least a week, no running, cycling, gym

 

[RitchieJoe]

My whole left leg has been tight for a while, stretching myself hasn't helped and I think if I have strained it.... it will be a result of too much tightness. So i will go see the Gp friday.

 

[vickster]

Sports massage might help, but you'll need to pay for it. Be aware that despite what they say, bupa will only pay for a certain amount of treatment for any one complaint, normally 6 sessions of physio. They don't cover chronic hands on treatment, only acute rehab. You'd then need to see a Consultant for treatment or surgery if that's required

Good luck at the GP

Are you the chap with exercise induced compartment syndrome? Presumably bupa won't cover as a pre existing condition so be careful what you and the physio might tell them

 

[RitchieJoe]

I am the chap with compartment syndrone, but its my hamstrings so it's a completely different problem.

But thanks for the heads up.

 

[vickster]

You did mention your whole left leg above. Have you had a proper running gait analysis done, pronation checked, got the right running shoes?

Thought you were cutting the running and getting a bike?

 

[fossyant]

You may have a qualifying period before you can claim - check the fine print.

 

[RitchieJoe]

You did mention your whole left leg above. Have you had a proper running gait analysis done, pronation checked, got the right running shoes?


Thought you were cutting the running and getting a bike?

I saw a podiatrist tuesday, he tested my legs and said my left one is a lot tighter than the other. However I have never been to the doctors about any issue with my hamstrings so it will not be seen as a pre-existing condition. I have an appointment with A NHS doctor who specializes in the knee and below in July. So I will get the insurance to get me a sports physio for the hamstrings in the mean time.

I was going to get a bike but then I started throwing up blood occasionally and I am waiting to see a gastric surgeon about a hiatus hernia. So I wanted to hold off on a £1000 outlay for the time being.

You may have a qualifying period before you can claim - check the fine print.

I was covered as soon as I took the policy out, they confirmed this over the phone when my payment was processed

[QUOTE 3705203, member: 76"]Do what I did. Simply avoid the need for private physio by marrying one. Although to be honest it is a bit of a nightmare as she knows if I say I have done my exercises and I haven't![/QUOTE]

Don't suppose she has any good looking colleagues?

 

[vickster]

Mine is short, well into her 50s I would think and Northern...even though it's a private hospital in Surrey and thus a middle class haven

 

[PK99]

Sports massage might help, but you'll need to pay for it. Be aware that despite what they say, bupa will only pay for a certain amount of treatment for any one complaint, normally 6 sessions of physio. They don't cover chronic hands on treatment, only acute rehab. You'd then need to see a Consultant for treatment or surgery if that's required

Good luck at the GP

Are you the chap with exercise induced compartment syndrome? Presumably bupa won't cover as a pre existing condition so be careful what you and the physio might tell them

I had a lot more than 6 sessions paid for by bupa when I had my smidsy, as did my wife following a triple fracture skiing accident.

 

[vickster]

I'd be surprised if they do for a hamstring strain, however

I'm only going on my recent experiences and I have top level cover. Their argument is they cover acute treatment only, so if your consultants and physios were able to show that was the case for you then that makes sense, which is quite likely when rehabbing serious injuries or fractures. Start getting into longer term treatment for knee problems, they get awkward, or any sort of strain etc. multiple injuries are also a different matter. What happened after your smidsy, surgery etc?

Presumably they were able to claim back costs on your smidsy so were more agreeable

Or they've tightened their rules recently! The OP will presumably feed back on his experiences