The Benenden Healthcare Society Ltd Review

Absolutely brilliant service from Benenden health. I have a cardiac incident which was initially well treated by the NHS but further tests were required for a diagnosis. I was told I had a 10 week wait to see a cardiologist so contacted Benenden. I was able to see a consultant within two weeks and had the relevant tests which hace now confirmed a diagnosis. All of this was completed before I would have been seen through the NHS. It has taken a massive weight from me and has meant that I am able to return to work. All this for a very reasonable monthly fee. Absolutely superb.

Family member for 25 years. Needed to be referred to a consultant and I telephoned York to say that this was likely to take some time. Was asked that I contact my GP and after their NHS referral (which presumably was going to take forever) Benenden phoned to say that I would shortly be contacted by their consultant (in this case at Benenden Hospital which is local). It took about a month from my initial contact to be seen-- one cannot ask for more. Now to get the operation. Watch this space!

Told me to get a letter from my GP stating the length of time to wait to see a consultant on the NHS - 2 years. They wrote back and said they hadn t the finances to conduct the operation in my arm. It s constantly getting infected and extremely painful due to several pins in my arm. Shame on you! I d to change my card to an automatic it s that bad!!!!!

Cannot speak more highly. Twelve months after joining Benenden I contacted them to seek their help in leapfrogging the 5 month waiting list to see a Neurologist on the NHS. They could not have been more helpful. Within minutes on the telephone I had been assessed, approved, given details of Neurologists in my area and allocated a spend budget for my initial consultations. An email confirmation followed shortly thereafter. Three days later I was seen privately by a consultant at my local Nuffield hospital, who referred me for an MRI. I made another call to Benenden, who confirmed that this was covered in the budget. The MRI scan was completed two days later, followed by another visit to the consultant who confirmed his diagnosis and the course of treatment.

What would have been a 5 month wait just for an initial consultation on the NHS, was all done and dusted in less than a couple of weeks.

Thanks Benenden.

Good on paper, ineffective in practice.

I have been a paying member for 12 years, until recently I have never had to request their services.
Recently health problems have meant I have requested their help twice, on both occasions I have been refused help because I technically didn't quite qualify.
On the first occasion it meant I waited in discomfort for months before getting a diagnosis.
On the second I was put at risk of getting the wrong treatment because I was refused a second opinion.
Benendon sounds a good idea, for back up to the NHS. But in my experience they have proved ineffective and their rules appear designed to avoid giving help.

DISCRETIONARY is the key word. My family were badly let down by the NHS twice both times Benenden stated they would not help as they offered a DISCRETIONARY service and to add insult they are ALLOWED up to 8 weeks to escalate an appeal.

To my mind I have been a fool paying three memberships for over 6 months I should have known better.

No help when needed and despite having a letter from a NHS hospital consultant stating the specific procedure required, their crazy obstructive system still requires a letter from a GP. Our GP wasn't even aware as this was an admittance to hospital in an ambulance.
Please don't reply with the usual cop-out "we are a discretionary service, not an insurer etc" as whatever you call yourselves it's no help when needed.
Even if you had of helped we have to drive a person in pain and discomfort to the middle of Kent when we are in North London.

Years and years I have been paying into this for three people, disgusting!

UPDATE (16th April 2019) following Benenden's reply:
What a load of nonsense.
If someone is rushed to hospital with a kidney stone the GP is not involved.
The HOSPITAL provided the date for the procedure (more than 5 weeks) NOT the GP.
The GP will be written to by the hospital and this sometimes takes weeks.
I repeat, your one-size-fits-all approach requiring the GP letter is flawed and not fit for purpose.

Do not use Benenden.
I was told by a doctor at Benenden That i was in the wrong hospital and i kid you not to use the NHS.
You would more care and help from a back alley doctor in Thailand then Benenden, they are a joke and only want your money.

We contacted Benenden Health for the first time recently after being members for a number of years. The support, advice and service we received was excellent. There was some confusion in the information provided about costs from the hospital and the staff at Benenden gave good advice as to how to clarify this.

I am happy with the service. Very efficient and professional!