BUPA Insurance announced in October 2005 a series of “Initiatives”, which if implemented could change the face of independent practice in the UK. These will involve speciality tendering (i.e. for clinical services) with the first important step being a tendering process for MRI scans. 

The results of this bid have just been announced. 
Other measures under consideration include an increased involvement by BUPA Insurance into clinical aspects of care with detailed Care Plans produced by and American Company called “Millimans” but “anglicised” for the UK market.  There is a new schedule of coding for operative and other procedures with specific lengths of stay for many conditions.

Companies offering private medical insurance (PMI) to employees as part of a benefits package are less likely to be adversely affected by staff absenteeism, new research has revealed.

According to figures released by BCWA, more than a third (38%) of the UK’s SMEs have experienced a reduction in the amount of time lost to staff illness since offering PMI as an employee benefit.