Getting those physiotherapy Boots ! (Boots Health Plan Insurance)

Member Name: freespirit1402

Product:	Boots Health Plan Insurance
Date:	21/08/02 (2152 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Convienient, Affordable, Pretty Comprehensive

Disadvantages: Some of the restrictions

Anyone who has read my other opinions will know that I am a massive kickboxing fanatic. However, much as I love it, it does not always love me and amongst minor niggles I have also picked up a dislocated finger, torn hip flexor muscles and a truly b****red ankle courtesy of a selection of ruptured ligaments. I also suffer recurring neck pain I have not yet been to see my doc about.

It was the ankle injury that prompted me to seek treatment. After a year I still had pain and stiffness and limited mobility in the joint. My doctor had reviewed it after four months and true to his form told me I was stuck with a b****red joint and to go away. So I decided to seek treatment for myself with a private sports physio. At twenty pounds per session plus some treatment for the torn muscles I ended up being stuck for about £200. Ok so it cured my leg problems but left me a wee bit skinted!

So what is the point of this little anecdote. Well I decided to learn my lesson from this little episode and indulge in a little private health insurance. After looking at all the BUPA etc. options I decided rathwer than going for the full whack that was a bit expensive I would take out the Boots Better Health Plan.

I came accross it in my local store and several points about it appealed to me. First was the ease of taking it out. You can do so in store or with a phone call that lasts approximately five minutes. The leaflet available in store is chock full of information and the policy is very good value for money.

I recieved my policy documents a few days after taking the insurance out and they are very comprehensive.

There are three levels of insurance, you can pay £8 for level one, £12 for level two or £ 16 for level three, per month. Obviously the more you pay the more cover you recieve, I currently pay £12 per month. The policy covers optical, dental, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, chirpody, specialist consultations and ma
ternity cash benefits. there us also a health information line.

Optical cover: Boots will cover 100% of optical fees for sight tests, glasses and contact lenses (except daily disposables) up to a set limit. At £12 per month my limit is £80 per year. I have daily disposables so they are not covered but can still get a new pair of glasses per year with this money. There are certain exclusions such as laser treatment listed in the policy.

Dental cover: Boots will cover 100% of dental fees for checkups or dental treatment up to your limit (£85 per year in my case). As someone with a private non NHS dentist this is a godsend. It will not cover cosmetic items such as gumshields but most general treatment is covered.

Physiotherapy: This was my main driving impulse behind seeking cover and found it very good. Boots cover 75% of your fees up to your limit (£190 per year in my case). Your GP must be aware you are recieving treatment and they have to be State or Chartered registered.

Complementary therapy: Covering Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy and Osteopathy. I was very impressed this was seperate as most policies lump it in with physiotherapy and as suck you recieve less cover. You are also covered for 75% of fees and treatment for the same amount again as physiotherapy. Again they must be registered and your GP must be aware.

Chiropody: Boots cover 75% of the fees for treatment up to your limit (£110 per year in my case). They must be registered.

Specialist Consultation: Boots cover 75% of fees incurred for seeing a specialist for diagnostic consultations and associated investigations or tests. This must follow referral to the specialist by your GP and I suppose would cover taking the private route rather than waiting for the NHS to finally grind into action. There are a few exceptions listed in the policy document. For £12 per month I am covered for up to £300 per year.

Maternity cash Bene
fit: You recive a cash amount for each child born per year or child under three you adopt. It ranges from £220 to £400 depending on the cover level and is a one off cash gift.

There is a qualification period. You must have held the policy for three months before you can begin to claim and must wait ten months before you can claim for the maternity benefit.

So if you are looking for a treatment cover plan rather than fully comprehensive health insurance which I have found rather costly this plan is the best I have seen available so far and for convieience is brilliant. And from my experience this year some form of cover is well worth having. Stay Safe

Happy Hunting

++Not sure if this is in the right category, if it is not could someone let me know how I move it. Many Thanks ++

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