If your GP recommends treatment or surgery, but the NHS waiting list is too long, we can help by paying for your admission, surgery and treatment at Benenden Hospital in Kent or one of our contracted Regional Treatment Centres throughout the UK.
This discretionary service covers many conditions and a wide range of surgical procedures - but not all. It is for members and their families who are concerned about a medical problem where NHS treatment can't be provided quickly, and who are experiencing distress, anxiety or pain.
There are two possible courses of action depending on where you receive your diagnosis.
After diagnosis at Benenden Hospital or a Regional Treatment Centre, any authorised surgery or treatment will be arranged in the same place, ensuring continuity of care. After surgery or treatment, you will be referred back to your GP for ongoing management and monitoring. This treatment is fully funded by the Society.
After diagnosis through the NHS or Local Diagnostic Service you should discuss treatment options with your GP. If NHS treatment is not readily available, you will need to send us a GP's referral letter, a copy of the Consultant's report and the results of any investigations and tests.
We may then refer you to the Benenden Hospital or a Regional Treatment Centre. Consultants may then wish to repeat some tests. At this stage, we will be able to confirm which treatments we can authorise.
The Society does not operate as an emergency service and is not a private medical insurer.
You can access our Treatment service as long as you are a UK resident and have been a member for six calendar months.
You must visit your GP first to discuss the problem. He or she will decide if treatment is needed and will advise you on the NHS help available, together with the waiting time.
If the wait causes you distress, call us on
0845 052 5702*
and we will discuss your options.
It is important that you do not cancel any NHS appointment until we have confirmed an admission date at the Benenden Hospital or a Regional Treatment Centre. Please do not progress with treatment until you have received written confirmation from the Society that we authorise your treatment.
Unlike private health insurers, we do not allow treatment to be deferred to suit a patient's diary.
For further information, review the Guide To Society Services pdf.
Access to our Treatment service is included in your Benenden Healthcare membership. Treatment arranged by us at the Benenden Hospital or a Regional Treatment Centre will be wholly funded by us.
We will not pay for treatment arranged independently by members or their families or representatives.
Amongst other things, we cannot fund:
- Corrective laser eye surgery or any other eye treatments, with the exception of cataracts
- Any procedures not recognised by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE)
- Ongoing treatment, monitoring or follow-up consultations for the same condition
- Consultations with a practitioner who does not hold the qualifications recognised by us, or does not hold a current NHS post, or who is not paid for, or contracted by, us to provide services to our members
- Treatment at any hospital which is not a contracted Regional Treatment Centre
- Heart or arterial surgery
- Head or neurological surgery
- Complex orthopaedic surgery e.g. joint replacements; spinal, neck or back surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
- Emergency treatment
- Fertility treatment e.g. IVF
- Physiotherapy
- Complementary therapies
- Breast surgery
- Complex ear surgery
- Pain management
- Dental treatment
- Treatment outside the UK.