Members’ online Bupa consultant guide launched - 21 August 2008
Bupa recently launched a simple to use web based search facility to assist members in finding a Bupa recognised consultant.
The online consultant guide enables members to refine their search using a number of category menus including: body area, condition or procedure, specialty, postcode, proximity to the member, consultant gender, and surname.
Access the online consultant guide at www.bupa.co.uk/consultantguide.
Members may also select either a ‘partner’or a ‘recognised’ consultant. All Bupa recognised consultants have met Bupa's recognition criteria, but there may be differences in their fee arrangements.
‘Partner’ consultants have agreed to charge within Bupa benefit limits and members are therefore likely to receive a full refund for their treatment, whereas ‘recognised’ consultants may charge more than our members benefit limit and members may therefore need to meet any shortfalls towards the cost of their treatment.
The guide has been created in response to members’ requests for more information about Bupa recognised consultants when making decisions about their eligible treatment.
Developed with the user in mind, the site is easy to navigate, avoids jargon and provides useful maps of hospitals and clinics.
Dr Paula Franklin, Bupa Deputy Medical Director said: “Members were involved early on in the development of the consultant guide by telling us what they wanted to see on the site and what categories of information were useful to them. They also helped later on by testing a prototype site to ensure it was user-friendly.
“We are still assessing user feedback from the live site but in the future we would like to develop the consultant guide by increasing the quantity of information available.”
Information about consultants is also available by calling a Bupa service adviser. Please note that members should still always call Bupa before commencing treatment in order to check their treatment costs will be covered under their Bupa membership cover.