BREAST CANCER OPERATIONS: PRIVATE CARE
There are various reasons why people choose to have their operations done privately. They may have private health insurance, or be covered by a private health scheme run by the company for which they work, or they may be able to pay for private care themselves. Whatever your situation, you will not find that the standard of medical care you receive in a private hospital is any different from that available on the National Health Service (NHS). However, you may prefer the privacy of a private hospital; or you may find the much-reduced waiting time to see a consultant, and the opportunity to enter hospital for your operation at the time of your choice are more convenient for you. If you have an operation in an NHS hospital, you may rarely see the consultant, being examined and treated by different doctors in the consultant’s firm. At a private hospital, you will receive personal care from the consultant throughout your stay. The facilities at a private hospital are likely to be more like those of a good hotel, and will certainly include a private bathroom.
Private health insurance
If the company you work for has a private health insurance scheme, your Company Secretary will be able to give you details, and should be able to tell you if the company insurance covers you for consultation with the surgeon and for your breast operation.
There are different levels of health insurance, and you need to read your policy carefully to make sure you know what costs are covered. Most private hospitals have an administration officer who will check your policy for you if you are in any doubt. The staff at the hospital is likely to be very helpful and will try to sort out any problems and queries you have. But do read your policy carefully, and any information sent to you by the hospital, as unexpected charges, such as consultants’ fees that you thought were covered by your insurance policy, could add up to quite a lot of money.
You may need to ask the insurance company to let you know -in writing – whether your policy covers the cost of a prosthesis and its fitting if you are going to want one after your operation. This cost is not always covered and, if not, it may be worth finding out if you will be eligible for an NHS prosthesis.
With some types of private health insurance, you will need to ask your GP to fill in a form stating that your operation is necessary and cannot be done in an NHS hospital within a certain time period due to long waiting lists. You will have to pay your GP for this service, which will cost a few pounds. This money is not redeemable from your insurers.
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