PMI influence on patient’s clinical care and treatment

Independent Consultants’ ability to provide the best care for their private medical insurance patients is now being called into question as the influence of Private Medical Insurers threatens to impact clinical pathways and patient choice.

After the resignation of hundreds of anaesthetists from Bupa due to fee disputes, independent Consultants across the UK are now having issues while providing care for their patients.

Mr Andy Roche was a Bupa-recognised, fee-assured, platinum provider orthopaedic surgeon. Following a dispute over the availability of Bupa recognised anaesthetists, Mr Roche has been derecognised without explanation.

Despite working with the trusted anaesthetists for several years, Mr Roche will now have to find another anaesthetist despite never working with them before in order to receive Bupa patients.

Mr Roche highlighted “the value for the patient in having a team of doctors that have worked together and are specialists in their field. PMIs must not attempt to influence this.”

These derecognitions are limiting the patient’s choice of clinician and compromising the specialist treatment that doctors are able to provide their patients.

Following an email from Bupa, Mr Roche (Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon specialising in Foot and Ankle Surgery and Reconstruction) said: “Your request to "find" an alternative anaesthetist is confusing but noted. I don't "find" anaesthetists... I am wondering if you understand the close relationship surgeons and anaesthetists have and how it impacts the patients (your clients) journey?”

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