Private medical insurance

ECIS Scheme Members can access In-patient, day-patient and outpatient care as soon as they need it by asking their GP for an open referral. Bupa will then be able to recommend a selection of local specialists and hospitals for the Member to choose from. If treatment involves a stay in a hospital, members can access private hospitals with private rooms giving them the privacy they need to recover.

The Digital GP Service through the Bupa Touch app quickly deals with your employee’s health concerns and is available on the ECIS and Value Private Medical Insurance schemes. The app lets your employees book and speak to a doctor on the same day, with appointments available 24/7. Bupa can send prescriptions straight to a chosen pharmacy for collection within the hour or delivery to the door. If necessary, referral letters can be issued within minutes and used with Bupa and some NHS pathways.

Whether it’s concerns over cancer, cataracts, mental health or muscle, bone and joint conditions, Direct Access services allow PMI scheme members to call Bupa without the need for a GP referral. Employees can directly speak to a specialist team at Bupa about their symptoms. The clinically led team will assess their condition and guide your employees to the most appropriate course of action, which could include being referred to a consultant.

The Bupa Employee Assistance Programme is a free, confidential telephone service there to support your employees with issues that may be impacting their wellbeing and work performance. The service is available 24/7 and the helpline provides support from qualified experts. Employees can get practical support by accessing an online resource offering self-help topics to help them manage their issues.

ECIS scheme members with any worrying heart symptoms can access the Bupa specialist cardiac team who will ask a series of questions about their condition to determine the right course of action. If required, they will refer your employee for a video consultation with a cardiologist appropriate for their symptoms. If the cardiologist needs further tests to support the diagnosis, the latest diagnostic tests, such as an ECG monitor or a blood test kit, can be sent to their home.

If an ECIS scheme member is worried about a mole or skin lesion, they can call Bupa’s dermatology team who can organise a Remote Skin Assessment. Your employee may be sent a home test kit that allows them to take high-resolution photos of their moles or skin lesions and send them to a dermatologist for review. If further investigation is required, they’ll receive a call to discuss the course of action, which can include onward referral.