AXA and R-CPD
AXA62% yes
15 of 24 reports were a yes (fully or partly). 9 refused. 1 still waiting.
Self-reported community posts, not official figures. The numbers are small and rough. Your own policy decides it. How we count.
What seems to help with AXA
- Work policies were behind most of the yeses (r/noburp thread).
- An online GP referral to ENT, then a treatment letter from the consultant with the procedure codes (r/noburp thread).
- Get the consultation approved first, then send the consultant's diagnosis letter (r/noburp thread).
Why AXA said no
- "Experimental" or "not a medical condition", sometimes because NICE has no guidance (r/noburp thread, r/noburp thread).
- Repeats: AXA often paid once, then refused a second round (r/noburp thread).
- No NHS equivalent was given as a reason by one work policy (r/noburp thread).
What people reported
Every report, newest first, in our own words. Nobody is named.
- RefusedSaid it was "undiagnosable" and the treatment not proven.
- RefusedAXA Health refused to cover a private ENT consultation in London, with the provider charging £6000.
- RefusedSaid R-CPD "isn't a medical condition".
- Partly paidCovered once, then refused a repeat. Paid in 2022, refused a second round in 2025.
- Refused"Don't [recognise] RCPD as a medical condition", cited NICE guidance.
- RefusedWeeks of back and forth; offered an approved ENT consultation but said treatment would not be covered even if diagnosed.
- RefusedRefused because NICE "still calls it experimental"; paid about £1,000 privately (GA, London).
- Partly paidCovered once, then refused a repeat. Covered round 1 in 2023 (in-clinic, London), refused round 2 as "too experimental", not enough evidence.
- RefusedTold AXA has a note against the clinician saying it will not pay for R-CPD treatment.
- Partly paidCovered once, then refused a repeat. Covered one round (100 units, London) in 2024; said a repeat is no longer covered as "experimental".
- PaidGA treatment in London. Process: explained a "throat problem" to get the ENT referral, then sent the consultation letter to AXA, approved.
- PaidA family member's work policy. Process: online GP for an ENT referral, consultation, the consultant's PA sent a treatment letter with two procedure codes, AXA approved.
- RefusedTold the treatment was "hocus pocus medicine", after 9 months of NHS diagnostics and an NHS ENT referral.
- PaidWork policy covered consultation, then approved treatment once R-CPD was diagnosed.
- RefusedWork policy declined: "not a conventional treatment", "not been peer reviewed enough" and no NHS equivalent.
- Partly paidAXA Health covered first appointment and Botox injection, then covered only the appointment on second session with Botox paid privately.
- PaidWork policy covered consultation, EMG and first round of Botox (in-clinic, London) using the clinic's treatment codes; said repeat Botox would not be covered.
- PaidCovered consultation with scope and the operation, using the procedure codes.
- PaidWork health insurance through AXA covered a private ENT consultation including video scope, though the consultant had limited prior knowledge of the condition.
- PaidScotland based; consultation in Cheadle covered, hoping treatment under GA (about £5k) would be too.
- PaidCovered one GA treatment; only one treatment covered.
- PaidUsed insurance for gastroenterology and endoscopy (all clear) to speed up NHS waits.
- WaitingClaims handler not positive: hard to cover treatments "not yet endorsed by NHS" without enough trials.
- Partly paidAXA Health partially covered Botox procedure with deductible applying to initial assessment costs.
- PaidAXA Health covered the cost of Karagama consultation or procedure.
This is a free resource and not medical or financial advice. Always check your own policy with your insurer.
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