Dealing with medical insurance companies

Philip is recognised by all major insurance companies and has held BUPA and AXA PPP registration since 2000. His patients have been insured with a variety of insurers including but not limited to include BUPA, AXA PPP, WPA, PHS, Aviva and Vitality Health.

When you contact your provider they may use terms such as being a "recognised" or "approved" Consultants. These terms are misleading and merely reflect that consultants have signed up to a particular partnership deal with the insurer. This is because many insurance schemes now try and "manage" patient referrals by directing customers to particular medical providers who have agreed these set rates, rather than having a particular skills set or the experience to manage your problem. As a result private schemes may try to direct you towards a particular provider but you do have the right to be seen by any of the registered consultants (based on holding a substantive NHS consultant appointment or equivalent). Secondly the providers may try and muddy the waters suggesting that you will be left with under insured shortfalls.

Philip, like many established consultants, has not signed up universally to all of these schemes. You will have the right to be seen by any consultant who is registered with the company. If this is the case please be sure that you are being referred to a consultant who meets your needs. It is easy to google them and establish exactly whether they have the expertise to provide the quality service you are paying for, at the end of the day you have private insurance to cover your needs and not that of the insurer.