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> > > medical treatments and surgery

Surgical Treatment

We’re on a mission to improve the nation’s health by making quality private healthcare affordable and accessible. That's why you can request access to a select range of Surgical Treatments when there’s a wait on the NHS.

How we choose our list of surgical treatments

Like all the services included in our healthcare, the treatments we cover are paid by our membership fees and we make sure the ones we choose are the best possible value. We can’t cover everything, but with 200 procedures included, we’ll help you get back to feeling your best where we can. The treatments we cover are:

Relatively simple, not big, or complicated.
Require less than 24 hours in hospital.
Single operations that don’t need repeat procedures or additional monitoring.
Carefully chosen to best support all of our members.

Examples of treatment we don't cover:

Brain, heart and cancer, which the NHS already do well.
Cosmetic, joint replacements, and varicose veins.

What's included

Dependent on authorisation, we can support the full cost of any treatment on our approved procedures in our treatment network. This includes:

Fees for surgeons, anaesthetics, operating theatres, accommodation, nursing, medical admission, and specialist consultants.
Pre-operative tests and post-operative physiotherapy, dressings or other consumables that are necessary.

Please note we won't provide funding if you proceed with any appointments without our authorisation.

You must contact us for authorisation before you proceed with any appointments.
We’ll ask you to provide a copy of a consultant’s report confirming the CCSD code for the procedure required and details of the NHS wait time for your appointment.
Please refer to our current wait times or call us for guidance on how your NHS wait time is used to help determine whether your request for services could be supported.

What is a CCSD code?

CCSD stands for Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group. It’s a standard coding system for all private medical procedures and is commonly used in the UK private medical sector. This is your treatment procedure code and your consultant should be able to provide this code as standard.

Where we’re able to authorise your request, you’ll be provided with authorisation to make your appointments at one of our approved treatment hospitals.
Please refer to our approved procedures and ensure you always contact us before arranging any appointments to find out whether we can help you.

Treatment of tuberculosis

Benenden Health was founded in 1905 to provide care for postal workers suffering from tuberculosis (TB). We continue to provide this care today. If you’re diagnosed with tuberculosis, we’ll cover the cost of approved treatment. This service is provided on an insured basis and is available to all members after six months of membership.

Types of procedures not on our approved procedures list include:

Brain related surgery.
Cancer related surgery.
Surgery related to heart conditions.
Cosmetic surgery.
Emergency surgery.
Reconstructive surgeries following trauma.

Acute care.
Anything related to fractures.
Spinal related surgery.
Pregnancy related surgery.
Joint replacements.
Varicose veins.
Anything related to pain management.

This list isn’t exhaustive and is subject to change.

We can only provide surgical treatment from our approved procedures list. Anything not included on our approved procedures list is excluded. Any treatment where, in our view, it may be safer for you to remain on the NHS waiting list, for example, complex surgeries that may lead to ongoing consultations and treatment is excluded. Examples of excluded procedures include surgeries related to cancer, heart or brain conditions, joint replacements or anything not on our approved procedures list.
All treatments we authorise must take place within eight weeks of our initial authorisation. We won’t settle any expense that you incur more than eight weeks after initial authorisation.
We won’t pay for services relating to the same medical condition on the same body area within two years of us first authorising support.
NHS wait times will be considered before authorising any treatment services and are subject to change.
We’ll only authorise Physiotherapy, Medical Diagnostics or Treatment assistance for one set of health concerns at any one time.
We won’t pay for monitoring of any ongoing condition, including consultations or treatment for the same reoccurring symptoms.
We’re unable to pay for any treatment services if you’re not a UK resident.
You should always contact us before arranging any appointments to find out whether we can help you.
Whilst Benenden Health provides authorisation for the treatment services you require at one of our approved hospitals, it may be that following a clinical review, a decision could be made that it isn’t appropriate to provide the treatment support you require. The clinicians at the facility will be able to guide you back to your GP or the NHS for continuation of the care you need.
We are unable to provide any authorisation for treatment services at Benenden Hospital or within the Bupa network where an allowable and excluded CCSD code is required to be undertaken at the same time.

Hospital locations for treatment and surgery

We have a network of facilities providing members with access to surgical treatment. This network includes our own Benenden Hospital located in Kent.

Find your nearest hospital

Healthcare done different

We’re not a health insurance provider. We’re a not-for-profit who complement the NHS, and we're on a mission to make private healthcare accessible to all.

No age limits.
Everyone is accepted (all UK residents).
No quotes, hidden fees, or excess to pay.
No medical questionnaire required.

Only £15.50* per person, per month.

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We're the trusted healthcare provider of 870,000+ people in the UK

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"I joined Benenden Health on the recommendation of a friend and have already been impressed with their patient care. I required a scan and my GP told the waiting list would be 18 -24 months. Contacted Benenden Health, had the scan within 2 months. My wife has also become a member. It has given us great peace of mind for the future."

Colin - Joined 2021

"From my first call to Benenden Health requesting help with physiotherapy, to having my first face to face appointment which took less than a week, I am already making progress with my treatment. Everyone I have dealt with have been really helpful and offered first class help and advice. Thank you!"

Pamela - Joined 2016

"From start to finish everything was dealt with pleasantly and efficiently. With Benenden Health, help and advice was always just a phone call away."

Sue - Joined 2010

"From start to finish everything was dealt with pleasantly and efficiently. With Benenden Health, help and advice was always just a phone call away."

Helen Graham - Joined 2010

How to access Surgical Treatment

Available after 6 or 24 months^ of membership

Checklist
- You must have a CCSD code for the procedure required (Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group).
- You must also have details of the NHS wait time for your appointment and a report from your consultant.
- Please check when you're eligible to request Surgical Treatment in the Benenden Health App or in MyBenenden.
Contact us

If your NHS wait time is longer than our current threshold you can call us on 0300 304 5700 between 8am and 5pm (Monday-Friday), for authorisation. Our advisers will be able to let you know what services may be agreed.

Please view our current NHS wait time threshold.
Authorisation

If we can help with treatment you'll need to provide a copy of the consultant report confirming the CCSD code for the procedure required and details of the NHS wait time for your appointment.

Once we’ve received a copy of your consultant's report and we have authorised the services, we’ll provide you with authorisation to make your appointments at one of our approved treatment hospitals.

Please ensure you've read and understood what is and isn't included.

Services continue to be available across the UK but there may be localised restrictions in place. Your healthcare provider will keep you informed. This may result in delays when accessing appointments.

Access via the Benenden Health App

Did you know you can start your request for Surgical Treatment through the app.

Simply choose ‘Medical Diagnostics and Treatment’ and follow the instructions.

Enjoy all your membership benefits on the go:

Book a telephone or video consultation with a GP in just a few clicks.
Easily request support via the 24/7 Mental Health Helpline.
Explore the Wellbeing Hub for videos, articles and classes for mental wellbeing, fitness and nutritional health.
Access rewards and discounts.

Screenshot of The Benenden Health App home screen

^ If you're a resident in England, Wales or Scotland when joining you can request Surgical Treatment after six months of membership. If you're a resident in Northern Ireland and joined us before 19 February 2024, you can request Surgical Treatment after six months of membership. If you joined us on or after then you can request Surgical Treatment after 24 months of membership.

* From 1 April 2025, the cost of membership will increase from £15.50 to £15.85 per person, per month or £190.20 if paying annually. The cost and benefits of membership are reviewed on a regular basis, and you'll be notified of any change in advance.

Calls to 03 numbers from UK landlines and mobiles cost no more than a national rate call to 01 or 02 numbers. If you receive inclusive free calls to 01 or 02 numbers with your landline or mobile tariff, calls to 03 numbers will also be included.