This discretionary product meets the demands and needs of someone who is looking for access to healthcare services such as Medical Diagnostics, Medical Treatment and Surgery, Physiotherapy, 24/7 GP and mental health helplines. Our services are provided on a discretionary basis and are subject to the resources we have available and, in some cases, can be dependent on a GP referral, NHS wait times and the type of treatment required.
1. Benenden Health is a trading name of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited. Benenden Healthcare is offered by The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, which is an incorporated friendly society, registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1992, registered number 480F. The Society's contractual business (the provision of tuberculosis benefit) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The remainder of the Society's business is undertaken on a discretionary basis. Financial Services Register number is 205351. You can verify this information on the FCA’s website at www.fca.org.uk/register.
2. We are not a private medical insurer. We provide healthcare services on a discretionary basis, except treatment for TB, which is a contractual service.
3. Membership is available to anyone over the age of 16 who is normally resident in the UK. Members can add friends and family to their membership regardless of their age.
4. The cost of membership is reviewed annually in June and any increase agreed by our delegate conference is implemented the following year.
5. Significant exclusions to our services are: appointments with dentists, opticians or complementary therapists; IVF treatment; breast, cosmetic, plastic, sterilisation, nerve, dental or maxillofacial surgery or surgery for transplants; surgery for arterial cardiac or complex orthopaedic problems.
6. Some of our services have a six-month qualifying period.
7. Service restrictions apply to members and nominated family and friends living outside the UK.
8. Members and nominated family and friends must call our Member Services Team on 0800 414 8100* for prior authorisation to make sure we can support the help required.
9. Members have 14 days from the day they receive their first membership pack after joining, to cancel their membership. If you do decide to cancel your membership, you can do so by writing to the Benenden Health Membership Team, Benenden Health, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG. Alternatively, you can email us at memberrelations@benenden.co.uk or call 0800 414 8480**. Please include your membership number in all correspondence. Cancellations beyond the 14-day cancellation period will not result in reimbursement of contributions already paid, unless you have paid your membership contribution annually in advance, in which case we will reimburse you the cost of the number of full months remaining on your annual payment.
10. Membership will continue until such time as a member decides to cancel or until their membership contribution stops being paid. A member may cancel their membership at any time without incurring penalty charges. All cancellations will take effect, and payments will cease, at the end of the month in which the cancellation is received. If you have paid your membership contribution annually in advance and wish to cancel your membership, your membership will cease at the end of the month in which we receive your cancellation and we will reimburse you the cost of the number of full months remaining on your annual payment.
11. We do not provide advice to any new or existing member regarding the suitability or otherwise of Benenden Healthcare for that individual. If you are unsure about whether membership is suitable for you, you should seek independent advice.
12. Members may become actively involved in how the Society is run by attending branch meetings. If you work or have worked as a civil servant you can choose which branch you belong to. If you belong to one of our national branches but would prefer to join a branch nearer home, you can transfer to a local branch. Or if you have been allocated to a local branch but would prefer to re-join colleagues in a national branch, please let us know. You can e-mail thesecretary@benenden.co.uk or write to The Secretary, The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG.
13. If you wish to register a complaint about our service, please contact us. You can call us on 0800 414 8100*, email us at; complaints@benenden.co.uk, or write to us at; Customer Complaints Team, Benenden Health, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG. If you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You can contact them at Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London, E14 9SR or call 0300 123 9 123. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines. www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
14. Our staff are salaried and may receive an annual bonus, but these are not directly dependent on you taking out Benenden Health membership.
15. This summary does not contain comprehensive information about us and our services. Please refer to any additional information we have provided. Our Rulebook and our Guide to Benenden Healthcare are available on our website www.benenden.co.uk or on request by calling 0800 414 8100*.
* Lines open 8am - 5pm Mon - Fri excludes Bank Holidays
** Lines open 8am - 5pm Mon - Fri excludes Bank Holidays.
Please note that your call may be recorded for our mutual security and for training and quality purposes.
