Frequently Asked Questions

Benenden Healthcare membership is now available if you currently or have previously belonged to any of the following groups:

Members of approved charities

Members of approved credit unions

Members of approved co-operatives

Employees of an approved registered charity

Public sector administrators

Police force employees

Armed forces employees

Public sector teachers

Emergency services employees

Local authorities employees

NHS employees

Civil Servants

Post Office employees

BT employees

And employees of other approved organisations whose aims and objectives are deemed compatible with ours:

Broadly-speaking, they fall into the categories of compatible organisations; building societies and mutual companies, not-for-profit organisation; credit unions; and friendly societies. Here are just a few of them:

• BBC
• Cancer Research UK
• Citizen's Advice
• Coops UK Group
• John Lewis Partnership
• National Trust
• Network Rail
• NSPCC
• Oxfam
• Prince's Trust
• RNLI
• RSPB
• Save the Children
• The Co-operative
• Unison
• Unite  

If you wish to join the Benenden Healthcare Society we offer a number of different options, including online join forms, phone applications or completion of paper application forms.

• If you are going to pay by Direct Debit, you can join now simply by calling us on 0845 052 5733* (lines open 8am - 5pm, Mon-Fri, excluding bank holidays), or you use our online application form. This is accessible from the right hand side of each page in the personal healthcare section of this webiste. Further information about how to join.
• If you want to pay by salary deduction, you just need to complete a paper application form. Please ensure that your organisation accepts this method of payment by viewing our list of eligible organisations (pdf).

When joining, you will need to have the following details to hand:

• Your personal details (your name, date of birth, address, telephone number and National Insurance number)
• The personal details of any family members you wish to add to your membership
• Your bank details
• You'll also need to ensure that you are eligible to join.

In a perfect world, we'd provide our members with every kind of healthcare possible. Because we believe in keeping memberships costs down, there are certain areas that we’re currently unable to offer help with.

We'll continue working hard to improve and extend our services. Unfortunately, we currently cannot pay for:

• Diagnostic consultations with consultants who do not have an NHS post and are not registered with a royal college such as the Royal College of Surgeons or Physicians
• Appointments with specialists such as radiologists, dentists, opticians or complementary therapists, pain management specialists
• IVF treatment
• Cosmetic, breast, plastic, sterilisation, nerve, dental or maxillofacial surgery, or surgery for transplants
• Surgery for arterial, cardiac, neurological or complex orthopaedic problems or Bariatric surgery
• Consultations, tests and treatment outside the UK
• Cancer care services which are delivered by non-UK, non-VAT registered organisations
• Retrospective services, where our written authorisation has not been sought.

Self Pay Treatment

Where we do not provide treatment, you or your family may wish to fund it privately - and we offer a simple guide to explain the process.

Among other useful topics, it covers choosing a consultant, choosing a hospital and finance.

For a free copy of the Self-Pay Treatment Guide, just call us on 0845 052 5702*. Lines are open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday.

For further information, please review the Guide To Society Services pdf.

* If you're abroad, please dial +44 845 052 5702.

It’s a question we’re asked regularly. But we can assure you that the cost really is just £1.50 per person, per week. As a mutual company offering our services on a discretionary basis, we can afford to keep contributions low, providing an affordable alternative to private medical insurance. What’s more, the cost does not rise with age, or as you use the service.

For further information, review the costs section of this website.

No - unlike other healthcare providers, we do not ask for any details about your medical history and you will not be required to complete a medical assessment. Details about pre –existing medical conditions are not requested by Benenden Healthcare when you join.

If you do not understand any of the following points please email or call us

The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited (Registered No: 480F) is a mutual not-for profit friendly society owned by and run for our members.

1. Benenden Healthcare membership is initially available to current or former employees of the public sector, and other approved organisations whose aims and objectives are deemed compatible with those of the Society. Examples of such employers are the Post Office, Civil Service, BT, mutual organisations and not-for-profit organisations. Employees or members of approved UK-registered charities, co-operatives or credit unions are also eligible.

2. The Society is not a private medical insurer. We provide healthcare services on a discretionary basis, except treatment for TB, which is a contractual service.
3. Our services may vary according to the needs of the member, the resources available or over time.
4. Significant exclusions to our services are: appointments with radiologists, dentists, opticians or complementary therapists; IVF treatment; cosmetic, breast, plastic, sterilisation, nerve, dental or maxillofacial surgery, or surgery for transplants; surgery for arterial, cardiac or complex orthopaedic problems; diagnostic consultations with consultants who do not have an NHS post or who are not registered with a royal college such as the Royal College of Surgeons or Physicians.
5. Some of our services have a six-month qualifying period.
6. Service restrictions apply to members and nominated family and friends living outside the UK.
7. Members and nominated family and friends must call our Member Services Team on 0845 052 5701* for prior authorisation to make sure we can support the help required.
8. Members have 14-days from the day they receive their welcome pack and membership card, to cancel their membership.**
9. Membership of the Society will continue until such time as a member decides to cancel or until their membership contribution stops being paid. A member may cancel their membership at any time without incurring penalty charges.
10. Members may become actively involved in how the Society is run by attending branch meetings.
11. If you work or have worked as a civil servant you can choose which branch you belong to. If you belong to one of our National Branches but would prefer to join a branch nearer home, you can transfer to a Local Branch. Or if you have been allocated to a Local Branch but would prefer to rejoin colleagues in a National Branch, please just let us know. You can e-mail thesecretary@benenden.org.uk or write to The Secretary, The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York YO26 4GG.
12. If you are not satisfied with our service, you should call us or write to us so that we can learn from any problems that occur. However, if you have been through both stages of our complaints procedure, and you are still unhappy with our response, you can take appropriate matters to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
13. This summary does not contain comprehensive information about the Society and its services. Please refer to any additional information we have provided. Full terms and conditions are contained in our Rulebook (pdf) and our Guide to Society Services (pdf) or on request by calling 0845 052 5701*.

* If you're abroad, please dial +44 845 052 5701.

** You are entitled to cancel your membership of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited within 14 days of receipt of this Welcome Pack. If you do decide to cancel your membership, you can do so by writing to the Member Services Department, The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG. Alternatively you can e-mail the Society at membershiprelations@benenden.org.uk or call 0845 052 5701*. Please include your membership number in all correspondence. Cancellations beyond the 14-day cancellation period will not result in reimbursement of contributions already paid.

No - unlike other healthcare providers, all our members pay the same contribution rate regardless of their age. It’s just £1.50 per person, per week.