Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information about health insurance
26 March 2020:
As the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) is felt across the UK and in many other parts of the world, you may have questions about how it could affect your health and access to care, treatment and support.
The NHS is coordinating all care for COVID-19 and working with private hospitals to maximise capacity to care for people affected.
Frequently asked questions
We will continue to update this page with the latest information. Please visit regularly to stay up-to-date.
To ensure that we’re supporting our customers who are being treated for COVID-19, we will pay a Cash Benefit to our customers where this is included in their policy. When there’s a pandemic (like COVID-19) in the UK, the NHS and Public Health England coordinate all cases and manage all resources. It’s very important it’s done this way so that the Government can continuously monitor, assess and manage the situation.
In addition, we’re covering treatment for mental health conditions relating to COVID-19. We’re giving our customers fast access to expert advice through our digital GP services, Anytime Healthline and Family Helpline. We have written to all Bupa recognised consultants to let them know that they can offer their Bupa patients telephone and video consultations, where they are medically appropriate, to help patients avoid exposure to the virus.
Private hospitals are working with the NHS to maximise capacity to care for people with COVID-19 so they’ve started suspending non-emergency operations. It’s hard to predict how long this will last for as it’s an unprecedented situation. Please speak to your consultant as they’ll be best placed to advise you. You can let your consultant know that we’ll cover phone and video consultations if that makes it easier. We guarantee to cover the cost of your treatment once you’re able to have it so long as you continue your policy, so there’s no need to worry about your pre-authorisation.
We can pre-authorise your treatment. But we need to let you know that private hospitals are working with the NHS to maximise capacity to care for people with COVID-19 so they’ve started suspending non-emergency operations. It’s hard to predict how long this will last for as it’s an unprecedented situation. If your care is delayed, we guarantee to cover the cost of your treatment once you’re able to have it so long as you continue your policy.
We guarantee to cover the cost of your treatment once you’re able to have it, so long as you continue your policy there’s no need to worry about your pre-authorisation. If you’re still seeing the same consultant at the same hospital you won’t need a new pre-authorisation number so long as you continue your policy.
Private hospitals, nurses and consultants are supporting the NHS in caring for patients with COVID-19, so it’s likely there will be delay unless your treatment is urgent.
Please speak to your hospital, clinic or consultant as they’ll be best placed to advise you. You can let your consultant know that we will be covering them for phone and video consultations if that makes it easier. We guarantee to cover the cost of your treatment once you’re able to have it so long as you continue your policy, there’s no need to worry about your pre-authorisation.
We guarantee to cover the cost of your treatment once you’re able to have it so long as you continue your policy, there’s no need to worry about your pre-authorisation.
The NHS is gearing up to deal with an influx of COVID-19 patients so cancelling non-emergency procedures to free up the capacity which is critical given the scale of the global pandemic. Private hospitals, nurses and consultants will be supporting the NHS in caring for patients with COVID-19. Private hospitals have also started suspending non-emergency services to focus on supporting the NHS. This is a fast moving, unprecedented situation so it is difficult to accurately predict how long this will last for but for now we anticipate that it’ll continue for at least the next 14 weeks.
NHS GP services are also under strain; they’re limiting face-to-face appointments to urgent cases but should also be offering virtual consultations. For concerns over cancer, mental health and muscles, bones and joints you can use our Direct Access service. For other concerns, you can use the Babylon digital GP services where this is included in your product. For customers who don’t yet have this in their product, we’re looking to accelerate roll out of the service to you over the next few weeks.
We know this will be a stressful time for people and that isolation may impact on overall mental wellbeing, as well as exacerbating underlying mental health conditions. We’ve seen an increase in requests for mental health support and are expanding our capacity – including remote consultations and on-line cognitive behavioural therapy. Customers can also use our Bupa’s Direct Access service, removing the need for a GP appointment. Our Family Mental Healthline is open for parents and carers to talk to us about their child’s emotional wellbeing. The online Bupa Mental Health resource hub has a wide range of support materials and is being regularly updated with relevant content.
Bupa UK COVID-19 update: Supporting our customers, patients, residents and their families
We recognise the exceptional circumstances that we’re all facing as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Bupa is in a position to help and we are here to play our part. We are redirecting resources and people to support the NHS and other public health bodies wherever we can during this difficult time.
NHS Online Coronavirus Advice
Get the latest health advice from the NHS on what to do if you think you may have symptoms of, or have been exposed to, coronavirus (COVID-19).
Further information
The situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) is continuously changing. To ensure you have the latest information, advice and guidance explore the following links:
World Health Organization
Read the latest updates from the World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
UK Government
Find out more about the UK Government response from Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
NHS England
Read NHS information about how coronavirus is spread and how to avoid catching or spreading germs.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Travel information
If you are looking for information on how the coronavirus outbreak may affect your travel plans, please follow the guidance of the Foreign and Commonwealth office.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
For the latest situation reports, and a map of affected areas see the latest from the World Health Organization.
Here you’ll find information and advice from our experts to help you stay healthy in body, and mind.
Bupa health insurance, dental insurance, cash plan and travel insurance are provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No.3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851.
Bupa health assessments, Occupational Health services and Bupa Private GP services are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Healthcare Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 03257078. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW
