WHAT IS HEALTH INSURANCE?

We know that being diagnosed with cancer can lead to some very difficult times. That's why we want to take away as much of the stress and worry as we can. With a Saga HealthPlan, you have access to our team of experienced and dedicated healthcare professionals who will support you and your family through the challenges you may encounter during treatment.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will be referred to one of our specialist nurses in our Cancer Care team. They will be able to provide information on the treatment options open to you and dedicated support throughout your treatment.

Suppose your treatment is eligible under the policy as a private patient, but after a discussion with the cancer care nurses, you choose to receive NHS treatment instead. In that case, our specialist nurses can offer other services to support you financially while you receive NHS cancer treatment, such as domestic help or assistance with travel costs to and from the hospital. They can also signpost you to relevant support services available through other organisations, such as cancer charities.

One of the benefits of taking out Saga Health Insurance is that you can use our GP service to access private telephone and video GP consultations.

All our private health insurance plans include the service, which means you can speak in confidence with a qualified general practitioner day or night, 365 days a year, from wherever you are in the world.

• Book unlimited telephone or video GP appointments from anywhere in the world – there’s no need to wait in a doctor’s surgery as you can book your appointment online. If you prefer to call, our phone line is always open. We know getting a same-day appointment with your GP, or at a time that’s convenient for you, can be tricky. With our GP Service, you can talk to a GP in complete privacy and confidence from the comfort of your home or wherever you are in the world.
• We can arrange a doctor's appointment at a time that’s convenient for you – fast access to a GP can bring additional peace of mind. Unlike appointments at many surgeries, you’re not limited to a 10-minute time slot and can use the Saga GP Service as many times as you like.
• Get an open referral to a specialist – we’re always looking for ways to make Saga HealthPlans even better for our customers. If you need further tests or advice, either your GP or our Saga GP Service can give you an open referral to a private specialist if necessary.
• Order private prescriptions directly to your door – call the Saga GP Service and they can arrange for your private prescription to be fulfilled and delivered to your door. This means you don’t have to leave the house if you're feeling unwell.
• Quality guaranteed – all the doctors you'll speak to are experienced GPs who are GMC registered, licensed, on the NHS Performers list, GP Register and have full Medical Council of Ireland registration, qualifying them as "fit to practise".

Our Saga GP Service is provided by HealthHero Solutions Limited, specialists in 24/7 Private GP services.

Find out more about the Saga GP Service

If you want to get advice from a specialist healthcare professional other than a GP, you can call this line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we can arrange for you to talk to the nursing team.

With 'Mental Health Direct Access' you can get prompt access to mental health care and support. It's included with all our health plans except Support.

If you experience stress, anxiety or any mental health concerns, call the Claims Helpline. We may need to make some checks before we can transfer you through to our Mental Health Direct Access team.

Once cover is agreed they will arrange for you to speak to a Specialist Team. The Specialist Team will carry out an initial clinical needs assessment then recommend a treatment plan which is clinically appropriate for you. This could be telephone or face-to-face counselling, a psychiatrist or psychologist consultation or simply some self-help advice.

We will pay for counselling arranged by the Mental Health Direct Access team if it is recommended, and this will not affect your excess, NCD or outpatient limits.

However, if our Mental Health Direct Access team recommend treatment such as with a specialist or practitioner, it will be subject to the terms of your policy. These payments will be made direct to the provider.

Please note: This service is available to those aged 18 and over only.

When you experience muscle, bone or joint pain, you must get the most appropriate support early.

With ‘MSK Direct Access’ you can access advice and treatment without the need for a GP referral. It’s available with all Saga HealthPlans apart from Support.

How does it work?

If you develop a problem, call the Claims Helpline. Within 48 hours, they will check your cover and offer a free telephone or video physiotherapist assessment.

If you use MSK Direct Access for advice, this will not affect your current benefits, as it works alongside these benefits.

However, suppose an MSK Direct Access physiotherapist recommends treatment. In that case, we may need to go through some checks before any treatment can be authorised and claims are paid, subject to the terms of your policy.

Please note: Age limits apply to who can use the service. Further details about the Direct Access service, including the age limits that apply, can be found on Bupa's website or you can contact us.

Get in touch

If you are an existing customer and you feel you would benefit from speaking to the MSK Direct Access team, please call your Claims Personal Advisory Team on 0330 018 0778. This number is free to call from both landlines and mobile phones.

There are some conditions that we offer a self-referral service for. This means you do not need a GP referral.

Call the Claims Helpline if you are concerned about:

• symptoms or changes in your breast(s)
• mole or skin lesion(s)
• blood in urine
• coughing up blood
• raised Prostate Specific Antigen test (PSA)

They will check your cover and ask you some questions to establish whether the service can help.

If they believe it can and you consent to go ahead, the adviser will transfer you to the service who will ask relevant questions and provide support depending on the outcome of that questioning.