what's good about private insurance instead of NHS, for shrinking my crazy-ass head?

February 5, 2009 10:01 AM

What advantage will I get from getting on my husband's private medical insurance in the UK, in terms of getting psychiatric treatment?

My husband gets private insurance for us from his work. Thus far I've just used the NHS, but I wonder if I used his private insurance if I'll get a better trained, or more patient, or more willing to work with me psychiatrist, or what other services I can get to support my recovery from depression and anxiety?

I'll post what insurance he has when he gets home. Seriously I have a high stakes and high stress job now and I don't want to fuck this up.

Glasgow, Scotland if that helps. Thanks as always.

posted by By The Grace of God to health & fitness (5 comments total)

You'll almost certainly get quicker (essentially on-demand) access to services, but the relative quality will be a tossup. There are some fantastic psychiatrists in the public and private systems , and going with either one isn't a guarantee. Do bear in mind that in the public system, if you're not happy with the actions of your psychiatrist, you can always request a referral to someone else.

That said, you've nothing to lose by using your insurance. That's what it's there for. And with the NHS as a backup, you'll never be without treatment.
posted by Happy Dave at 10:19 AM on February 5, 2009

good point HD, should clarify:

Will using private insurance help me find a GOOD psychiatrist? How do i minimise the tossup factor?

Maybe I should piggyback on my own q and ask if someone can recommend me somebody in Glasgow.. Me-mails are welcome too.
posted by By The Grace of God at 10:21 AM on February 5, 2009

Personal experience (England, so may differ from Scottish NHS): Following an abrupt descent into depression, I got therapy via my wife's Bupa cover, which I was covered by. My GP told me I'd have to wait six weeks for an NHS one, with whom I'd get a limited number of sessions - I think 4 or 6. He hinted that they'd be a bit crappy, as well.

Bupa let me choose from a list, I was in there within a week, and saw him 12 times (I think) before the amount Bupa would pay got used up. The real advantage was that we didn't need to rush, as we both knew we had more time together, so I had plenty of time to work things through.

I carried on with him afterwards for a few sessions, paying a lower, private rate, just to tidy up the loose ends, as it were.

I think the patient/willing stuff is dependent on the person, but what you get is more time, and perhaps, since they're getting more per hour via insurance, slightly better attention. The NHS ones might be more stretched and as a result, less able/willing to invest in you personally.

As for training and experience, Bupa crossed off a few on my list as they were high-fees ones reserved for the most serious patients, but I certainly got someone who gave me the right help.

Hope you get sorted.
posted by dowcrag at 10:28 AM on February 5, 2009

Will using private insurance help me find a GOOD psychiatrist?

FWIW I've lived in three states, four countries and been in and out of therapy for oh... twenty years now. I have had posh, high end NYC shrinks, academic Ivy League ones, and completely ineffective parroting ones. I've picked them by referal, I've picked them at random out of the phone book, had them picked by my insurance company, and had them picked for me in more then one ER.

BY FAR the very best psychiatrist I ever saw was the one randomly assigned to me by the community mental health team on the NHS in the UK. At least once a month I consider sending him flowers to say thank you, all these years later.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:05 AM on February 5, 2009

I would also like to say that the therapist I am seeing on the NHS is the best I have ever had, and I've had lots (counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists). She is really amazing. I am allowed eight sessions with her but if a person gets to the end of their sessions and thinks they would like to continue to receive therapy, all they would have to do is get a re-referral from their GP, which is exactly what I have done.

Also, as a side note, I got a full physical MOT from a BUPA GP a few months ago, which is paid for by my company. The GP I saw was great and told me that the BUPA doctors often also work on the NHS as well. I have no idea if this applies to psychiatry as well, but for me it debunks the impression that private = better trained/more qualified docs. I allways thought the private was mainly to be used for more specialised things and to avoid the long waits on the NHS, but then again, I'm not an expert on this by any means.
posted by triggerfinger at 12:34 PM on February 5, 2009