Vitality and R-CPD
Vitality72% yes
18 of 25 reports were a yes (fully or partly). 7 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 Vitality
- Use the Vitality virtual GP and ask for a referral for suspected R-CPD. One person's was recorded as a swallowing problem (r/noburp thread).
- Send a letter or information sheet from the clinic to support the claim (r/noburp thread).
- Ring Vitality before you book. One claim was turned down at first because the consultation was booked without calling first (r/noburp thread).
- Check your consultant and hospital are on your list (r/noburp thread).
Why Vitality said no
- "Cosmetic" or "not a recommended procedure" (r/noburp thread, r/noburp thread).
- Needing a listed condition, such as trouble swallowing (r/noburp thread).
- Pre-existing or lifelong: even a childhood visit to a specialist on the NHS record was enough for one refusal (r/noburp thread).
What people reported
Every report, newest first, in our own words. Nobody is named.
- RefusedTold it was a "cosmetic procedure"; paid about £900 privately.
- PaidVitality covered RCPD procedure with Hicklin following referral from their GP and gastroenterology investigations.
- RefusedInsurance claim rejected on grounds of lifelong condition despite multiple attempts to reword GP referral letters emphasising current symptoms.
- PaidInsurance approval obtained after persistence, procedure was covered, though second injection likely not to be reimbursed.
- PaidVitality approved RCPD treatment with Hicklin after gastroenterology referral, with code verification completed.
- PaidVitality insurance covered a second Botox treatment with Lucy Hicklin after an initial private procedure years earlier.
- PaidSuccessfully claimed on Vitality health insurance for R-CPD consultation with specialist.
- PaidAll covered bar £100 excess (in-clinic, London). Process: Vitality virtual GP, asked for a referral for suspected R-CPD; categorised as a swallowing problem.
- PaidAsked for a clinic letter for this procedure, then approved quickly.
- PaidGA treatment in London covered.
- WaitingVitality insurance authorised an ENT referral for R-CPD but patient uncertain whether to pursue local consultants in Aberdeen or seek treatment elsewhere.
- RefusedAfter several rounds refused GA surgery in Bath; said eligibility needed dysphagia or another listed condition.
- PaidCovered consultation and injection (in-clinic, London), using an information document from the clinic to support the claim.
- PaidGA treatment in Bath covered.
- PaidNeeded "special approval" for a London consultant.
- WaitingTold R-CPD is not a proper condition due to a lack of studies; asked the ENT to answer questions.
- RefusedDid not want to cover it.
- RefusedWork policy said pre-existing condition, because of a childhood visit to a gastro specialist on the NHS record.
- RefusedRejected: "not a recommended procedure".
- WaitingClaim in progress; asked to complete a medical history form.
- Partly paidVitality covered most of the procedure with Lucy Hicklin after the patient paid the excess and Botox costs.
- RefusedVitality's own GP thought R-CPD Botox with Lucy Hicklin would be covered after the member got the procedure codes from her office; a later comment says this member was in the end rejected, and another Vitality member found their GP service unhelpful.
- WaitingDiagnosed by an ENT; Vitality objecting that symptoms started before the policy and no GP referral was used.
- PaidCovered in-clinic treatment in Wimbledon; the first choice consultant was not on Vitality's list for that policy. Process: Vitality virtual GP appointment.
- PaidFully funded GA treatment in London.
- PaidFully paid. Process: GP referral, then the claims team helped find a suitable consultant.
- PaidApproved even though the GP record showed years of symptoms without a diagnosis.
- PaidWorkplace policy; GA treatment at BMI Blackheath because HCA The Shard was not on the hospital list.
- PaidCovered after an appeal or a second call. Booked the consultation without calling Vitality first; claim initially rejected, then accepted.
This is a free resource and not medical or financial advice. Always check your own policy with your insurer.
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