Bupa and R-CPD
Bupa89% yes
34 of 38 reports were a yes (fully or partly). 4 refused. 4 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 Bupa
- Use Bupa's own GP service, or a work digital GP, and ask for an open referral to ENT for suspected R-CPD. Several people did this (r/noburp thread).
- Get the procedure codes from the clinic or the consultant's secretary, and get pre-authorisation before you book (r/noburp thread).
- Ring again if the first answer is no. Some people were approved on a second call (r/noburp thread).
- Ask for a consultant letter. One appeal was won when the consultant wrote that one injection usually lasts (r/noburp thread).
- Work policies that ignore medical history went smoothest (r/noburp thread).
Why Bupa said no
- Pre-existing: symptoms started before the policy, or "since birth" (r/noburp thread).
- "Temporary relief": Botox was seen as a short-term fix (r/noburp thread).
- Part paid: sometimes Bupa paid for the consultation and procedure, but not the Botox itself (r/noburp thread).
What people reported
Every report, newest first, in our own words. Nobody is named.
- RefusedSaid symptoms must have started after the policy began in 2023.
- PaidCovered in-clinic treatment; £250 excess. Did not claim for the second round (about £250 direct).
- Partly paidWould not cover the Botox injection; paid most of it out of pocket.
- PaidPre-authorisation shown for the procedure plus one follow up consultation, with surgeon and anaesthetist fees covered.
- PaidA child had private R-CPD procedure under general anaesthetic covered by Bupa insurance after direct contact with consultant's secretary.
- PaidBupa approved RCPD treatment through virtual nurse appointment with straightforward authorisation process.
- Partly paidBupa covered second and third procedures but not the first procedure or anaesthetist fees.
- RefusedRefused at first, appealing. Approved, then a later call said declined; fighting it.
- WaitingConsultation and pharyngoscopy authorised, Botox injection not yet.
- RefusedRefused as pre-existing (since birth).
- PaidCovered at least the consultation because they had never sought medical advice for it before. Process: Bupa private GP, open referral to ENT for suspected R-CPD.
- PaidCovered after an appeal or a second call. GA treatment; policy covered pre-existing conditions but Bupa was reluctant because Botox is seen as temporary. The consultant edited the referral letter to say one treatment is usually a lasting cure, then approved.
- RefusedRefused at first, appealing. Rejected as "temporary relief"; waiting for a consultant report to appeal.
- PaidWork policy; the clinic supplied references to send to Bupa.
- PaidPaid for the treatment after the person paid for the first consultation themselves.
- PaidBupa covered the Botox procedure under general anaesthetic with Mr Karagama; patient chose this option based on higher success rates and is still burping 2.5 years later.
- PaidCovered; paid only the £250 excess.
- WaitingObtained quotes from Bupa but no outcome yet on whether cover would be approved.
- Partly paidWork policy part paid (£518.50); the person paid for the Botox drug and their excess. In-clinic treatment in London.
- PaidSpouse's company policy, non underwritten, so pre-existing conditions were covered.
- PaidCovered in-clinic treatment in London.
- Partly paidWork policy part paid; the person paid about £300 towards in-clinic treatment.
- PaidBupa covered the procedure after obtaining a GP referral, with option to use Bupa's own GP service for same-day consultations.
- WaitingBupa pre-approved £2000 for consultation and procedure in London pending GP referral.
- PaidBupa covered a child's procedure with the consultant.
- PaidTreated with Botox injections under Bupa medical insurance via ENT referral from gastroenterology claim, with successful outcome.
- PaidBupa covered the cost of a second Botox injection under general anaesthetic after an initial awake injection with a different provider was unsuccessful.
- Partly paidClinic told patients Bupa would only pay the consultation and follow up, not the procedure.
- PaidCovered consultation, EMG and injection using the procedure codes from the clinic; Botox paid up front then claimed back.
- PaidHard to deal with and "depends who you speak to", but eventually authorised.
- PaidAfter a second call, Bupa pre-authorised everything needed.
- PaidAgreed to cover initial consultation and investigations after forms.
- PaidCovered after an appeal or a second call. Diagnosis approved (endoscopy); treatment declined as "not long term", rejection upheld by a medical director after a surgeon's letter; on a later call an advisor approved it.
- PaidMedical history disregarded policy; GP gave a private referral and Bupa authorised it immediately; consultation with a London ENT.
- PaidInitial consultation and procedure with a London ENT covered without a GP letter.
- PaidEmployer policy, medical history disregarded; GP referral via an online video GP service.
- PaidWork digital GP scheme (Babylon) referred to requested ENT consultant and Bupa covered everything including treatment.
- WaitingPatient enquiring whether Bupa would approve Botox treatment following initial consultation with consultant.
- PaidBupa covered the treatment after the consultant provided research documentation to support the claim.
- PaidBupa covered the first Botox injection after providing membership number and authorisation code to the hospital.
- Partly paidA young patient's first Botox treatment was approved and completed by the consultant, but second treatment was refused by insurer and had to be funded privately.
- PaidCovered after an appeal or a second call. Same person: GP referral letter about a recent new symptom (nausea), called again and treatment was authorised.
This is a free resource and not medical or financial advice. Always check your own policy with your insurer.
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