Going Private for diagnosis?

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Comments

  • MissKat
    MissKat Member Posts: 124
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flowerpot,

    I went private to get seen quickly, I was so upset and in so much pain I didn't care how much it cost.

    The consultant I was referred to was private, but also worked on the NHS, so because I was referred through my GP, I only had to pay for the first 2 appointments and then I was 'through the back door' as an 'urgent' case.

    It's a bit naughty, but understand quite a lot of people do it and if your GP's game then I definitely recommend doing this!

    MissKat x
  • flowerpot
    flowerpot Member Posts: 53
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think that's the problem with the system, there is no real triage when it comes to appointments until you have developed a relationship with your consultant. No doubt had your consultant seen you twice on NHS he would have escalated your case.

    When I was doing a search for private consultants I found the one I had seen also does private at the hospital thats 3 miles from me, rather than 17 which I travel to see him on the NHS but only does OA which I don't have.
  • MissKat
    MissKat Member Posts: 124
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh, such a pain, isn't it frustrating :(

    Hope things get better for you soon.... hope the physio helps - and that the appointment comes through quickly. The wait is sooooooo frustrating.

    Big hugs x MissKat x
  • flowerpot
    flowerpot Member Posts: 53
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Miss Kat,

    I realised today I can get Physio through my health insurance at work, so just need to get a letter out of my GP so send to the insurance company :-)

    Stupid pants insurance just doesn't cover diagnostic medicine or chronic conditions so need to get in there before I get labelled.
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    flowerpot wrote:
    Stupid pants insurance just doesn't cover diagnostic medicine or chronic conditions so need to get in there before I get labelled.

    Even when you get labelled, they still kick up a fuss. I got diagnosed privately and then transferred to my rheum's NHS clinic. There was a long wait and I was having an awful flare up and I tried to get a private appt. My insurance complained a lot and said I had to see my GP and get him to agree that I needed to see the rheumatologist. Eventually, they agreed and I saw him but it was a lot of effort on my part.

    I have physio privately though because it's a pain getting to the local hospital. So, insurance companies are good for something. ;)

    All the best of luck with everything. xx
  • RA2010
    RA2010 Member Posts: 21
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I use my private health through work to see the rheumy - when I was first diagnosed I spoke to them about 'chronic conditions' as all of the private health companies say they don't cover them. They said that they will cover things like RA until such time as you are just being monitored with no more problems. So if you get to the stage that you see them maybe twice a year simply to see if everything's okay then they won't cover it. If you have a flare in between and need to see the rheumy as an unscheduled appointment then they will cover that...so in some ways it's a good thing that I keep having side effects that cause me to change meds and so am still not 'stable' on any med, so still able to get cover. After a year my private health are still paying, so despite the 'chronic condition' clause maybe speak to yours to find out their rules?

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