Bupa Angers Physiotherapists

Bupa has reduced the number of physiotherapists on its list from 8,000 to 3,000 causing anger amongst physiotherapists.

As previously reported in Health Insurance News UK, Bupa had concerns over pricing discrepancies in the provision of physiotherapy. They cited that treatments could vary in cost from between £25-£85 and they felt that this was unfair. They have been aiming for a standardisation in cost, quality and length of physiotherapy treatments across the UK.

Steven Pink, Bupa head of provider relations said,

'Our network has been designed to address unwarranted variation in the average number of physiotherapy sessions, treatment time and cost per treatment by applying a more consistent approach to quality, service and value. We are now able to offer our insured customers access to a network of providers that fulfils these criteria and should reduce the average cost of physiotherapy treatment by up to 10% over the next couple of years.

'We are delighted with the response from physiotherapists, both large groups and independent practitioners - all of whom have fulfilled our clinical quality, service and cost criteria. We have already delivered the majority of the quality improvements and savings we set out to achieve which is great news for our customers. Many of them will now find that they do not use up their out-patient physiotherapy benefit as quickly. And because network providers have committed to direct settlement with Bupa, patients can focus on getting well without the inconvenience of paying for treatment themselves and claiming the money back from Bupa afterwards.'

'As we approach the conclusion of our network roll-out we will be advising previously recognised Bupa providers who did not participate in the tender that funding will no longer be available for the treatment of Bupa customers. We have established a significant number of contracted provider relationships which we hope will continue for many years to come.'

Physiotherapists are not happy with Bupa and in May the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Physio First lodged a formal complaint with the Office of Fair Trading under the 1998 Competition Act. They believe that Bupa is acting unethically.


CSP chief executive Phil Gray said: ‘ We believe the intention is to dominate the insurance market and to squeeze out the smaller insurance providers by driving down fees and limiting choice for patients. The OFT’s response may take some time.’

Many private medical insurance policies offer physiotherapy although not all insurers offer it and some offer it only on some of their policies.