Warning-pitfalls of heathcare
Posted: Wed 13 Feb 2008 6:22 pm
I have had a graft recently (last Wednesday) and thought i would point out a couple of pitfalls of private healthcare.
My company provide me with private medical cover with XXXX under something called a network scheme. I have been using this scheme to visit my consultant a couple of times a year for the last few years without any previous problems.
Once I decided in January to have the graft done I contacted XXXX and was told they would cover the procedure no problem.
After everything had been arranged XXXX then claimed that the operation could not be carried out in the NHS hospital my consultant uses for eye operations. They claimed it had to be in one of there network hospitals and would only consider the NHS hospital if the procedure was not available at one of there network hospitals within 20 miles of my address. My consultant rang them & informed them that he ONLY does this operation at this hospital and that now would not be a good time to try out new arrangements. XXXX stood firm even stating that they would find me a consultant who could carry out the op at one of there hospitals. Despite my pleas they refused to budge and failed to see my concerns over changing my consultant at this stage.
Luckily I work for a large company who contacted XXXX and put them under a bit of pressure which caused them to stand down and allow the use of the hospital.
Now I thought the problems with XXXX were finished and I could get on with the op worry free, how wrong could I be!!!
I found out that although the operation was covered I only had £500 per year to use on what they referred to as out patient costs. This is supposed to cover all consultations and any tests (including pre med's) that are required. I had already seen him twice this year so far and had just had my pre meds done to be told that I had only £100 left for the year days before the op. I pointed out to XXXX that it was standard to see the consultant 12-20 times post op in the first year and this would never cover all of the treatment needed. I was told that when the £100 ran out (effectively 1 visit after the op) I had to pay for anything else myself from that point.
Lucky for me I have a very understanding consultant who is now going to transfer my after care over to the NHS to ensure that I get all the correct treatment without me having to re mortgage. This is a major relief at this stage and I now feel I can concentrate on getting better without any future worry.
Just goes to show that private health care is not always what’s its cracked up to be when portrayed in those glossy ads.
Let me know if anybody has any question I can help with.
Chris
My company provide me with private medical cover with XXXX under something called a network scheme. I have been using this scheme to visit my consultant a couple of times a year for the last few years without any previous problems.
Once I decided in January to have the graft done I contacted XXXX and was told they would cover the procedure no problem.
After everything had been arranged XXXX then claimed that the operation could not be carried out in the NHS hospital my consultant uses for eye operations. They claimed it had to be in one of there network hospitals and would only consider the NHS hospital if the procedure was not available at one of there network hospitals within 20 miles of my address. My consultant rang them & informed them that he ONLY does this operation at this hospital and that now would not be a good time to try out new arrangements. XXXX stood firm even stating that they would find me a consultant who could carry out the op at one of there hospitals. Despite my pleas they refused to budge and failed to see my concerns over changing my consultant at this stage.
Luckily I work for a large company who contacted XXXX and put them under a bit of pressure which caused them to stand down and allow the use of the hospital.
Now I thought the problems with XXXX were finished and I could get on with the op worry free, how wrong could I be!!!
I found out that although the operation was covered I only had £500 per year to use on what they referred to as out patient costs. This is supposed to cover all consultations and any tests (including pre med's) that are required. I had already seen him twice this year so far and had just had my pre meds done to be told that I had only £100 left for the year days before the op. I pointed out to XXXX that it was standard to see the consultant 12-20 times post op in the first year and this would never cover all of the treatment needed. I was told that when the £100 ran out (effectively 1 visit after the op) I had to pay for anything else myself from that point.
Lucky for me I have a very understanding consultant who is now going to transfer my after care over to the NHS to ensure that I get all the correct treatment without me having to re mortgage. This is a major relief at this stage and I now feel I can concentrate on getting better without any future worry.
Just goes to show that private health care is not always what’s its cracked up to be when portrayed in those glossy ads.
Let me know if anybody has any question I can help with.
Chris