Making a claim - the process

1. If your GP refers you for a consultation or treatment

Explain you are a Bupa member.

• If you need to see a consultant ask your GP to refer you to a Bupa recognised consultant who charges within Bupa benefit limits and who has admitting rights to a Bupa partnership network hospital. The rules and benefits explain about partnership consultants, non-partnership consultants and partnership network hospitals or you can call the helpline and we will explain.
• If you need to see a therapist or complementary medicine practioner ask your GP to refer you to a Bupa recognised practitioner. The rules and benefits explain why this is important for you or you can call the helpline and we will explain.

2. Call Bupa

When you call the helpline we will confirm whether:

• your consultant, therapist or complementary medicine practitioner is recognised by Bupa.
• your proposed treatment is covered and the benefits available to you.
• you need a claim form - in some cases you may not need to complete a claim form and we will tell you about this when you call us.

3. When you see the consultant, therapist or complementary medicine practitioner

Show them your membership certificate (including your special condition supplement if you have one). See rule 1.1 'The agreement between you and us' in 'Your membership guide'.

4a. If your consultant recommends out-patient diagnostic tests or treatment

Call the helpline and we will confirm whether the tests and/or treatment are covered under your membership and the benefits available to you.

4b. If your consultant recommends day-patient or in-patient treatment

Call the helpline and we will:

• confirm whether your treatment is covered and the benefits available to you.
• help you choose a partnership network hospital in your area.

5. When you go into hospital

Take your membership certificate and special condition supplement (if any) with you.

6. When you leave hospital

• Settle any personal expenses such as newspapers, phone calls or guest meals.
• We will settle the medical and hospital bills that are covered under your membership.

7. If your consultant recommends home nursing or out-patient treatment after your hospital stay

Call the helpline and we will confirm your cover and the benefits available to you.