Healthcare Services FAQs

How do I access Benenden Healthcare's services?

If you need a consultation, tests or treatment you should first see your GP.

If you then experience difficulties accessing local NHS services, and feel that you need our help, simply contact our Member Services Department on 0845 052 5701* (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm) to discuss your healthcare needs. You can also email us at memberservices@benenden.org.uk or write to us at The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG.

It’s important that you call us before going ahead and arranging any medical services, as we can only reimburse costs that have been previously authorised by us in writing.

My GP says I need to see a Consultant but there is a long NHS waiting list. What do I do?

If your GP needs to refer you to a consultant for diagnosis and you experience difficulties accessing local NHS services, we can approve a diagnostic consultation for you for any condition.

You can see one of our own consultants or a local consultant arranged through your GP. If you see a local consultant we can pay up to Ł1,500 to help you achieve a diagnosis. This includes consultations, outpatient tests and minor outpatient treatments (such as injections) that your GP or consultant recommends.

It’s important that you call us before going ahead and arranging any medical services, as we can only reimburse costs that have been previously authorised by us in writing. Simply contact our Member Services Department on 0845 052 5702* (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm) to discuss your healthcare needs.

This is one of the services that is available after six months of membership.

Do I have to go to Benenden Hospital to receive a consultation or treatment?

We always encourage our members to use Benenden Hospital in Kent for consultations and treatment, regardless of where you live. Alternatively we can agree for you to use our local consultation service, so you see a local consultant chosen by your GP.

The Society provides a selected range of surgical treatments at specially selected hospitals throughout the UK: Benenden Hospital in Kent. However, it is important that you call us before going ahead and arranging any medical services, as we can only reimburse costs that have been previously authorised by us in writing. Simply contact our Member Services Department on 0845 052 5702* (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm) to discuss your healthcare needs.

How do I get my money back for my consultation and tests?

Once you have visited the consultant or hospital, you will receive an invoice for the services they have provided. Always ask for an itemised invoice showing details of the consultations, tests or treatments carried out.

Simply send the original invoice to: The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG and we will do our best to send you a cheque payment within seven working days of receiving your invoice.

It’s important that you call us before going ahead and arranging any medical services, as we can only reimburse costs that have been previously authorised by us in writing. We also cannot pay for any invoices that are more than three months old and cannot accept photocopies, receipts, duplicates, facsimiles, pre-admission documents or invoice reminders.

Can I send my consultant's invoice to you before I have paid it?

Yes. Simply photocopy the invoice and send the original to us promptly – and we will send you a cheque. You can then pay the consultant's bill using your photocopy of the invoice. We do not normally pay a consultant or hospital directly, unless we have arranged the appointment for you at one of the specially selected hospitals throughout the UK, including Benenden Hospital.

Will you pay for treatment or surgery that I arrange at my local hospital?

No. We always encourage our members to use Benenden Hospital in Kent for consultations and treatment, regardless of where you live. Alternatively we can agree for you to use our local consultation service, so you see a local consultant chosen by your GP.

However, it is important that you call us before going ahead and arranging any medical services, as we can only reimburse costs that have been previously authorised by us in writing. Simply contact our Member Services Department on 0845 052 5702* (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm) to discuss your healthcare needs.

For just Ł1.50 a week there must be some services you can't provide?

To keep our service affordable at just Ł1.50 a week, there are some consultation and treatments and services we cannot provide, such as:

Diagnostic consultations with consultants who do not have an NHS post. They must also be registered with a Royal college such as the Royal College of Surgeons or Physicians
Appointments with certain specialists, such as podiatrists, radiologists, dentists, opticians or complementary therapists
IVF treatment
Treatment for mental health problems
Cosmetic, breast, plastic, sterilisation, nerve, dental, maxillofacial, transplant, arterial or cardiac surgery
Surgery for complex orthopaedic problems, such as joint replacements

Please note that benefits may vary according to the needs of the member, the resources available or over time. The Society's contractual business (the provision of tuberculosis benefit) is authorised by the FSA. The remainder of the Society's business is undertaken on a discretionary basis. The Society is subject to FSA requirement for prudential management.

I am being treated for cancer by the NHS, but I still need some extra help and support. Can you help?

We aim to provide appropriate support that will best complement the services provided by your GP, the NHS and Social Services departments.

We can offer a helping hand in many ways:

Giving you information on other sources of help and benefits that may be available
You may need extra help in the home or some special equipment to make life easier
Financial help may be available towards travel expenses to and from hospital, additional heating costs, and convalescence. Financial Assistance for members suffering with an active cancer condition are based on the individual’s needs, personal circumstances and the nature and degree of the illness. They are not dependent on your financial circumstances

It’s important that you call us for advice before going ahead and arranging for any help, as we can only reimburse costs that have been previously authorised by us in writing. Simply contact our Member Services Department on 0845 052 5703* (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm) to discuss your healthcare needs.

This is one of the services that is available after six months of membership.

What services are available to members living outside of the UK?

We ask all members to keep us advised of any changes in their personal circumstances so that we can update our records and where appropriate, provide advice to members of any limitations in service. Members living outside of the UK are entitled to all of The Society’s Information and Discounted services (benhealth and Together magazines will be available online only). Overseas members cannot access the Consultation and Treatment services as these are provided to back up the UK National Health Service and as such need to be referred by a UK based GP, once the NHS has been tested.

To advise us of any personal detail changes please contact our Member Services Department on 0845 052 5720* (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm).

*Calls may be recorded. Calls cost a maximum of 4p per minute for BT customers. The price of calls from non-BT lines will vary.

Benenden Healthcare membership is initially only available for current or former employees of the Post Office, Civil Service, BT, registered charities, public sector bodies and other approved organisations whose aims and objectives are deemed compatible with those of the Society. Some services have a six month qualifying period.

The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited is an incorporated friendly society, registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1992, registered number 480F. The Society’s contractual business (the provision of tuberculosis benefit) is authorised by the FSA. The remainder of the Society’s business is undertaken on a discretionary basis. The Society is subject to FSA requirement for prudential management. Registered Office: The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG.

© 2009 Benenden Healthcare