You need to understand what you buy. (BUPA)

Member Name: Kjn123

Product:	BUPA
Date:	16/10/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Rapid access to first class medical services.

Disadvantages: Hidden costs.

I've recently left Bupa, working there as an advisor who specialised in policies that an individual would purchase as opposed to someone who got their cover through a company they work for.

Overall, I would say that Bupa is a company that really does it best to try and do best by its customers and a customer-centric approach was obvious.

In terms of the policies it sells, some are great - some are rubbish. Of the new 'Heartbeat' policies, introduced in around 2003, Healthcare Select 1 and 2 are the policies one should be looking to buy as these give you full cover on consultations. Anything below that and you end up paying for your ALL your consultations (£150-£250) that take place before daycase or in-patient (NOT out-patient) procedures. When you take into account that you could still be paying over a £100 a month for the cover on these lesser policies, the policies start to look useless .

And you might have an excess. So if you pay for a £200 consultation, that would not form a part of it - you'd still have to pay £100 on something like your x-ray or blood test. Starts to look bad.

However, you do get to see a consultant straight away. You get your tests asap, you get to choose when you have an operation if you need one which is great for people who work. The cancer care is second to none as well and unlike many other insurers, Bupa will fund palliative treatments should the worse come to the worse. If it's these sorts of things which you're concerned about, Bupa is a must otherwise it can be very costly before it even pays out.

In summary - don't get anything less than Healthcare Select 1 or 2 if you're going to have an excess. If you go for Healthcare Select 3, don't have an excess. If they try to sell you anything lower, tell them no. My final piece of advice is to try a broker or go through the company you work for if possible as you do get big discounts.

Summary: Worth getting it if you can afford it,