Bupa opens up free in-person GP appointments to all personal health insurance customers

Bupa has made the option of booking 15-minute face-to-face GP appointments at a Bupa Health Centre a standard feature across all levels of its personal health insurance policies.

The appointments provide policyholders with focused time with a Bupa GP to discuss one acute minor illness or concern. Some minor diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, swabs and ECGs, are also included where required, at no additional charge. 

Widening access and removing the fee

Previously, only Bupa By You Comprehensive customers with unlimited outpatient cover and Bupa Health Platinum Plus and Bupa Health Platinum customers could get an in-person GP appointment at one of Bupa’s Health Centres. The benefit wasn’t available for anyone named on a Bupa By You Comprehensive policy that had an annual out-patient allowance of £500, £750 or £1,000, or those with a Bupa By You Treatment and Care Policy.

As well as opening up face-to-face GP appointments to a broader group of personal health insurance customers, Bupa has also removed the £20 appointment fee that applied to the service, so it’s now free to access. Policyholders can use the service without it impacting their no claims discount or low claims bonus, and it won’t count towards any outpatient benefit allowance that may be in place. Any family members covered on the policy will be able to use the service. 

A rare benefit

While all the leading private health insurance providers offer access to a Virtual GP, Bupa and Vitality are the only ones that offer face-to-face GP appointments for those who would prefer to speak to someone in person. In the case of Vitality, policyholders can get face-to-face GP appointments through its network of Private GPs, but each consultation costs £20 and, depending on their choice of hospital list, they may be limited to two appointments each year.

Although Bupa has removed the appointment fee, it warns that it will charge if a health insurance customer does not attend the appointment or cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice. Customers can find which Bupa Health Centres offer the private GP service at www.finder.bupa.co.uk

Chris Steele, founder and editor of myTribe Insurance Experts, said:

“Bupa’s decision to add in-person GP appointments as a free extra benefit to all of its personal health insurance customers, regardless of their policy level, is a generous move. When it comes to health issues, a lot of people would rather speak in-person to a GP than use a virtual service, so this will be an appealing feature which further enhances Bupa’s health insurance.”

Chris Steele

Cert CII (F1, IF7 & I10), Founder and Insurance Expert