Money to be had

[Guest user]

Hi, My insurance company AXA PPP health-care actually told me that I could claim £50 a day for receiving Rads on the NHS instead of using my health care policy. I would be seeing the same oncologist and have the treatment at NHS hospital as I would if private, as they do not have the equipment. My surgeon also made sure he was referring me back to the NHS. Word of waring be careful at your first NHS appointment that you do not sign paperwork to say you are having treatment privately if you are switching. My insurance company said this does happen

[Foxy]

If you've got Benenden cover (used to be the Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society!) they offer grants to help with the additional costs of cancer treatment such as travel or help round the home. I think it's up to £5000. Useful if you are having rads a long way from home.

http://www.benenden.org.uk/personal-healthcare

It's a mutual so I didn't claim because I could afford the extra travelling, so I can't comment on how easy it is, but when I claimed in the past for a gynae problem they were brilliant.

xxxxxx

[Guest user]

Just bumping in case it helps anyone x

[Guest user]

Hi all
just bumping again especially for newly dx ladies who won't have seen this thread last year. Seems there's alot of us with various types of cover that entitle us to cash benefits when treated under the nhs. Problem is most of us know nothing about it unless we hear through word of mouth on sites like these.
Hope this helps someone 🙂 x

[Guest user]

Hi there
I'm receiving Chemo in a private hospital but will have to switch to NHS hospital for rads. Oncologist works at both hospitals so spoke to him about this yesterday. It's important to be referred as an NHS patient in order to claim the benefit so he told me to book my pre rads appt with him at NHS hospital in order to get in the system. Otherwise, Bupa will pay hospital private patient rates and no benefits for us.
Sorry if this had already been mentioned but hope it helps.
CG

[Guest user]

Just bumping this in case it helps anyone. I had no idea my policies would pay out for chemo + rads but thanks to this thread I've had several thousand pounds from Groupama (cover through dh's work) + over a thousand from simply health. I wouldn't have claimed a penny if it hadn't been for this thread- didn't have a clue! Has been a huge help as we had no insurances on mortgage etc + I've lost a very well paid job due 2 secondary bc.
Hope it helps someone- spread the word as most of us have no idea what we are entitled to.
Tina x

[DJ007]

Mine did and it was great. However, more importantly, it meant I could get both Emend and Neulasta for all chemos.
Dx

[Guest user]

Many of the private health insurance policies will also cover you to have chemo at home. A lot of people are not aware of this.

My friend had hers at home it saved all the hassle of fighting for a parking place at the hospital.

A nurse used to come round and do it and my friend said it was good for her cos she could just be in her jimjams and slippers, watching the TV near her own loo.

Fiona x

[Guest user]

Thank you for this thread checked OH private insurance and it pays out a daily rate will help with childcare thank you for starting this thread

[Guest user]

Deinately speak to hsa. They backdated my claims without question, and I received over £500 from them. I just pit several treatment dates on each form, completed all the details and then got my bcn to stamp and sign each form.
Our private health insurer (Groupama) initially refused to let me claim retrospectively but after a push, have agreed to payout for my last course of chemo so I'm awaiting a cheque for £3k. They have agreed to pay on future treatments providing I stay with the nhs. It all comes in handy, Ive lost a well paid job and we had no insurances in place so every little helps...
Tina x
Just bumping this really in case it can help anyone 🙂

[Guest user]

thank you so much for the information i have a simply health plan and it never even entered my head to check it out will do that asap

[Guest user]

Hi...I am glad you ladies were able to claim something.....I have cover with Pruhealth (comprehensive cover) for specialists and hospitals. I had lobular cancer 2 years ago (high risk or recurrence in the other breast). I asked for a preventative mastectomy and recon on the healthy breast too. They said , no, they don't pay to remove healthy tissue. I hit them with every legal argument in the book (from placing me at an unreasonable risk by their omission) to clinical governance considerations.

I won, and they paid for my surgery which I had recently.

I am not familiar with cash plans, but if anyone has had similar problems with hospitals / consultant plans (comprehensive cover)...I could try and assist you?

Cheers

[Guest user]

JUst bumping this up for anyone else who was unaware that they might be able to claim on private health policies (like Simply Health) for day-patient treatments like chemo and rads. Ive submitted some claims forms for the last 18m and have received over £500 in the bank today off Simply Health that I wouldnt have known about if it wasn't for this thread. Thanks Linda :)))
Tina xx

[Guest user]

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much for opening this thread. I had no idea that I could have been claiming during my treatment. Too late for that now but I shall be much more careful in future.

I am due for a consultation on Monday so I have already got one of my claim forms out. Not sure if I will qualify but will give it a go.

I did claim when I had my MX but never gave a thought to chemo rads and herceptin. Mostly I had herceptin at home so would not have qualified for those.

Thanks again, clever girl.

All the best,

E

[mazabel]

Thanks for the info linda,I had no idea that I could claim!
Had radiotherapy last December.I have no proof of the appointments so I rang the hospital today and they are going to photocopy it for me and post it to me.
Hopefully it can be back dated. will be great if they do!!
Thanks again, hope all going well for everyone.

[Guest user]

Tina
I'm so so pleased and will be delighted if you can get it back dated (a treat or two for you, hubby and that gorgeous looking little boy of yours)

I really don't think you're on your own for not claiming, i have a friend that was totally unaware as well.

Another plus for this forum!!

Take care and I'll speak to you on the TN thread
Linda
x

[Guest user]

Looks like Im the only clueless one around here lol! I had no idea but to be fair, the insurance companies are not very forthcoming with info about what we are entitled to are they! I have had a conversation with my OH about the fact that our private health are quids in by me opting to stick with the nhs for treatment- it makes sense that they offer us an incentive to do so.
I have spoken to groupama briefly and I am covered but she wouldnt commit to back dating payments, nor would she disclose how much per day etc. I am awaiting a call of one of the claims nurses for more info. I will push for back dated payments as I have had several conversations with my allocated nurse about my entitlement and not once has she mentioned this aspect of the policy (funny that...). They pay out £150 per night as an inpatient so if its anywhere near that amountfor a day case, then Im in for quite a windfall 🙂
Anyone else eligable but unaware, like me???
xx

[Alto]

Mine's with AXA PPP as well - we have two schemes at work, one which pays £50 per day and one which pays £100. I've been there 12 years so I'm on the old scheme which is the better one 🙂 They paid up really quickly for me, I just sent them my chemo appointment letters and hospital list of rads appointments.

They wouldn't pay it for my Hickman insertion though, even though it was done in theatre and I was on the day ward.

They would have paid for the chemo and rads treatment but as it couldn't be done in the private hospital so would have been in the same place, at the same time, done by the same people as on the NHS I opted for the NHS and a holiday instead!

I had my op and scans privately because that speeded things up so was very important psychologically.

Jane xxx

[Ninja]

I'm also with SH (used to be the Hospital Fund).

I claim £ 30 for each Chemo up to 20 lots p.a.
I also claimed for the PortaCath operation as day surgery as it was done in theatre and I was there all day.

[Guest user]

Hi linda+ all
just spoke to simply health and I can claim for day patient treatments so I'm delighted 🙂 I pay £24.70 per month + can claim £32 per treatment with a max of 20 per policy year. They have agreed to pay out for last year too providing I get hospital stamps etc. Last year I had over 30 treatments + have already claimed a few overnight stays so will prob be able to claim for about another 15. This year I've had 6 chemos so far...
Just wondering if we can also claim for things like ct scan appts or picc line insertions ??
I've emailed our private health providers + am awaiting a reply...
Thanks again 🙂 xx

[Guest user]

Morning all
I'm really glad I posted this now - it sounds like there is some money to be had.

I appreciate each policy is different. I only pay £15pm with Simply Health (what was HSA).
When I went for weekly chemo my BCN stamped and signed my claim form on the back page and I got £30 for each visit.

When I did my rads - Simply health just asked me to get the claim form signed and stamped at the end of my treatment and attach my appointment letter - once again they paid out within a week.

I am aware that on my policy I can only claim 20 rads/chemos in a year, but as my year runs from June to June, I was able to claim for everything to date.

Gingerbud/Troymaiden - fingers crossed your policy is the same (I hope I haven't raised your hopes unnecessarily)

Off to work now - another day of fun (I'm a bank manager - please don't hate me!!!)

Linda

[Ginge23]

Hi all
I have AXA PPP and they pay for all chemo/radiotheraphy treatment recommended by my Oncologist - even bone density test. We all probably have different level of cover so worth checking what you can get. Also they pay it directly to the hospital - you get an authorisation code and all bills go to them. Sorry if you all know that but just thought it might help.
AXA PP also have a dedicated section for cancer patients.
all the best
ginge xx

[Bunny3]

Hi all,
I am with axa ppp healthcare through my work and they have paid me £50 per any over night stay, £50 for each chemo and rads(although am still waiting for that) and they are paying £50 for each Herceptin but with the Hereptin they will not pay for more than 12 infusions? I must say though I've had a nightmare trying to get the money from them for my 18 rads they would not except the list of all appointments that I sent in, and have requested info from the hospital which is taking forever to be sorted out, I don't quite understand it as they requested a breakdown of my treatment plan from my oncologist which they have but still they request this info from hospital.
Hope you all get your entitlements

Donna xx

[Guest user]

lol I will be on the blower 1st thing 😉
yeah we joined when it was hsa- must have joined around years ago now. Linda thanks for flagging this up I had noooo idea that I could potentially claim for day patient stuff like rads + chemo. Given I've had 2 courses of chemo + 23 rads, it will be defo worth a phonecall!
Must also contact our private health + query with them too. Anyone else with Groupama? Think they paid me £150 per night for nhs overnight stays but have never looked into chemo/ rads claims. I'm trying not to build my hopes up that it could be £100 per day like has been mentioned on here!
Thanks ladies xx

[Guest user]

Gingerbud, i would have thought u were covered but why don't u give them a ring in the morning. If your having chemo or rads & paying £25 per month im sure u must be able to claim. It used to be called HSA & i think they just changed the name of the policy etc but not the benefits. Get on that phone,lol x

[Guest user]

Im confused! Im not sure if my simplyhealth policy is 'on a cashplan'? Helen can you clarify for me please? I think we only pay about £25 per month and we have been members for several years. Is the cashplan different from the normal policy. Cant find policy doc only have a leaflet with a general table of cover...
Am I in the money...?!? xx

[Alto]

I'm lucky enough to have private cover through work so I had my op at a little local private hospital but they couldn't do chemo or rads so I went NHS for those. My policy paid £100 for each day I had chemo & rads - that paid for our holiday in France a few weeks later. There's no way we could have afforded a holiday otherwise.

Sadly no critical cover - we decided years ago that we couldn't afford it.

Jane xxx

[Guest user]

Anyone with HSA / Simplyhealth on a cash plan needs to read page 8 Day case 2nd paragraph.
https://www.simplyhealth.co.uk/shcore/sh/content/pdfs/tsandcs/srt_pr2011_tc0311.pdf

In plain & simple language WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPEEEEEEE!
xHelenx

[Guest user]

I have a Simply Health policy which I have had for years. I have claimed for a 3 day stay in hospital and for my chemo but I am now on Herceptin for at least every three weeks for the next year. Anyone know if I can claim for these?

[Guest user]

Hiya,
I'm with what was HSA now Simplyhealth thro work, I got money for in-hospital stay but didn't realise I could possibly get some for chemo & rads.

Here's stupid question - how do I qualify??

Any help here is most welcome (especially if it gives me & kids some dosh)

THANK YOU Linda for highlighting this.

xxHelenxx

[Guest user]

Hi Linda and all 🙂
I have a simply health policy but was unaware of claiming potential! I have only ever claimed for overnight stays in hospital whilst having surgery. Please do tell if there is other things I can claim for.
My hubby has private health for us through work but I have only ever used it for my 2nd op following a bad nhs experience when in for my mx. I have claimed for nhs overnight stays for my mx and chemo-induced stays but was unaware of being able to claim for nhs chemo/ rads etc. Im sure all policies are different but maybe I am missing a trick???
I would be delighted if I can claim for nhs chemo and rads- it would top up our 'fun-fund', which has took a battering lately!
Any info welcome
Thanks
Tina xx

[Guest user]

Thanks Linda. Yes - Taxol was fine - I had very minimal side effects. All done now. 🙂 (Well - hopefully! Touch wood etc). Now op, rads, Herceptin and Tamoxifen...

[Guest user]

Hi Sandytoes - its ridiculous amounts of money.
I chose to go private for my chemo rather than take money - purely because the private hospital was so close to where I lived.

Its a frightening thought that one day we may lose the NHS.

Hope you're doing Ok - are you still on taxol? I was originally on that and thought it was quite doable.

Take care

Linda
x

[Guest user]

I've also got private healthcare through my OH's work. My private healthcare company give £100 a day if you swap to the NHS for chemo or radiotherapy. So for 5 weeks of rads that's £2.5k! And the machines are the same. I guess you just don't get a mahogony dressing room and a smaller choice of mags (if any)!! I asked my onc how much the private hospital charged the healthcare company if I stayed private - £25,000! So they're saving ALOT of money if you jump over to the NHS.

[Guest user]

Hi
Not all good for me either - I cancelled a critical illness policy a few years ago - if only.....

[Guest user]

I had a SimplyHealth policy which i cancelled about 8 months ago. I was trying to save a bit of money! How i wish i hadn't, they wouldn't have paid out that much but it would have been a help, it's typical that i'd had the policy for about 20 years. Sods law i guess.

[Guest user]

Hi everyone
I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know... but just in case.

I have one of those policys which covers dental fees, optical costs, overnight hospital appts etc all for a relatively small monthly premium.
Since being diagnosed with BC, I have claimed £30 for each chemo treatment and £30 for each radiotherapy - a total of £750 so far.
The reason I am posting this is because when I talked to customer at work, who also has BC, she had totally forgotten about what she could claim for, as she had lost the original booklet. Needless to say she is now over the moon (and quids in)

On a similar vain - those of you who are lucky enough to get private medical cover (I get mine thru work- no I'm not rich) please check the small print. I went private for my chemo, but the private hospital didn't offer radiotherapy - my insurance company will therefore payout an amount for each treatment as its NHS not private. Funny though - they never told me, I had to read the policy doc to find this out!!

So please check your policies - for me this has given me money to treat me and my hubby whilst we deal with all this BC c..p

Linda
xx