paul-s

Who's got this?

seeing as the NHS is a pile of poo and i get this for free at work it cant be a bad thing

How many of you get it free and who pays?

Lee247

Hubby gets his free and ours at a reduced rate through work. Saying that, the taxman takes a share

paul-s

same here, pay tax on the benefit which is about a fiver a month, but considering the comparison to the NHS its worth every penny just wish i could opt out of national insurance

beamer

Have it from work, great scheme well worth the extra tax

Jap2Scrap

Free through work.

GCollier

I have bupa through work, though it's counted as a taxable benefit.

I wouldn't totally discount the NHS though...family/friends have always had very good experiences with them (despite all you read), and I've been led to believe in the past that not all private hospitals are as well equipped to deal with complications from major surgery or intensive care.

Gary.

Shark Man

I'm with WPA, organised by my works. After being at the mercy of the NHS I will do anything to avoid these death bins when I am at my weakest.

Unfortunatley, if you have a serious injury or conditon that is immediately life threatening, you'll still be at the mercy of an NHS hospital until they stabilise your condition.

f1sh4u

I have AXA PPP through work. Deffo worth the extra tax. Had a small op done just over 6 weeks ago. Would have had to wait years for it on the NHS (if they would ever have even done it for me), got it done in a matter of weeks from going to the doctors through AXA (could have had it done quicker but i was going on holiday, and couldn't fly for a few weeks after the op so had to wait till i got back).

I went to a BUPA hospital and it was very nice... great care, nice room (with sky telly etc) even a fit nurse to look after me to boot

Steve

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Nope

Midlife.....

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

BUPA Company Care Gold (or whatever it is called), covers most things.

Problem with "personal" cover, is that some exclusions can apply (i.e. post surgery consultations etc).

Although you will pay income tax on the premiums, the premiums will increase your net relevant earnings for pension contributions (as do all benefits in kind).

PS This is information NOT advice (who knows from the FSA is watching).

OllyK

Have BUPA as part of my package at work, I pay an extra £10 a month or something to cover the misses. We used it last year for her to have her wisdom teeth extracted, compared to what her father is going through to get his knee replaced on the NHS the quality of service is the opposite end of the spectrum.

Scooby Snacks 23

I get it through work for me, and I pay for my wife and son to be covered too (it's taxed as a benefit in kind and costs for about £400pa).

I hadn't used it for 9 years, then had a £10K knee op, so it's been worth it so far!

john_s

iTrader: (1)

I get it through work too, just have to pay tax on the BIK.

John.

RobinSherwood

It might seem obvious but like any insurance or product shop around and read what is covered and what is not.

The big names are not always the best.

I waste far too much of my time helping our patients to get money out of their private health insurance which is rightfully due.

They should also remember that you have private health cover so that you have a choice and should not unecessarily try and restrict which consultants you can and cannot see.

Leslie

The people at the sharp end of the NHS are outstanding, its the top heavy administration which wastes the money.

Les

Martin-STI

I have AXA (PPP) through my Partner, personally not used it but partner is having treatment on her back with it at present.

Would just be on a waiting list if she didnt have it.

Consultation fee £280, MR Scan £873 and now waiting for invoice for Operation. Same happened 5 years ago, so small tax cost more than worth it.

r32

I have it through work, its taken a pasting though. But its well worth it.
Takes some of the load off the NHS too.

speedking

No you don't. You get a lower salary so that your company can afford to pay for this on your behalf

RMA26

I pay for mine

Paul3446

Quote:
No you don't. You get a lower salary so that your company can afford to pay for this on your behalf

Mine is through work and is free, there is certainly no salary correction here!

The only thing I pay is the tax on it.

KiwiGTI

I don't believe the quality of medical care is any different if you have private healthcare. In fact private hospitals can often be worse.

Why should I pay extra when pay so much tax.

Paul3446

It's not so much the quality of care, it's more how quick you get things done.

It could be the difference between life and death if something is spotted early enough.

Mr Bat

As said above, have any complications from major sugery and you could be in trouble.

Deep Singh

AXAPPP through wifey's job.
Its always amazed me that in such an affluent country more people aren't insured. People think nothing of pissing £1k up the wall every year on booze/****/petrol/interest payments on their new 'bimmer' but won't spend the same on health.

Saying that the number of insured in the UK has gone up for the first time in years

paul-s

What are you on about, I pay the tax as a benefit in kind. And i dont work for a pikey company

Deep Singh

Agree. My wife does not take a lower salary.

SD

Have AXAPPP now, along with BUPA dental cover, and in previous years have had BUPA health cover too, all covered through work. Have had to make 3 claims in as many years unfortunately, but the professionalism of both BUPA and PPP took a lot of the unneccesary stress out of it for me.

Believe me, being asked when *you'd* like an Op, (that you knew would be months on the NHS), instead it's "How about next tuesday evening for you?", it's incredible really. I work for an oil company and previously an investment bank so luckily both ensure that their staff have the best cover possible.

The wife was very ill 4-5 years ago, and despite the brilliance of those staff on 'the floor' at the hospitals, waiting weeks for important surgeory, having operations cancelled at short notice etc, just was not fun and made a difficult situation 10 times worse. I definitely don't want us to go through that again.

If ever I'm in a job that doesn't offer medical insurance then I'll ensure I take our a policy for us privately. Worth it's weight in gold IMO.

Simon

Lateral Performance

iTrader: (20)

Recently took out a Bupa private plan, after having compared to several of their competitors.

They will change, both price, and level of cover, to compete.

Remember to compare everything, including "out patient" care, and to what value, which hospitals you have locally, and if they are covered. Be careful of "cheap" looking policies, and check what excess they have !


Mark.

speedking

So where does the money come from to pay for the insurance?

mart360

strange isnt it...

nhs is free, but private is seen as a benifit and taxed....


i worked out yesterday, i loose a third of my hard earned every month to that lot of money grabbing b*stards...


and thats a big chunk i can tell you


Mart