Contracting and Medical Operations

**MarillionFan** · 30 January 2012, 20:37

Sorry to hear about the knee. Looks after your knees some wise singer said.

To be honest, this normally falls into the realm of your private healthcare insurance which could have paid for the operation(privately) PLUS some loss of earnings(if you'd insured for that).

So it depends on whether you have already been to the Doctors about this. If you have, then (a) it's a pre-existing condition and no medical insurer is going to touch you for a pre-existing condition in the last two years. If it's the opposite and you havent been to a doctor then either b) You are correct about your prognosis because you once part time studied medicine so you could take out insurance to the hilt and go for it in six months claiming some dirty Northern bastard fouled you on the football pitch or c) You're wrong and have watched too much Doogie Howser and/or are an incredible bedwetting nancy who's got a bit of a stiff knee.

a, b or c?

**SimonMac** · 30 January 2012, 20:43

Originally posted by MarillionFan View Post

Sorry to hear about the knee. Looks after your knees some wise singer said.

To be honest, this normally falls into the realm of your private healthcare insurance which could have paid for the operation(privately) PLUS some loss of earnings(if you'd insured for that).

So it depends on whether you have already been to the Doctors about this. If you have, then (a) it's a pre-existing condition and no medical insurer is going to touch you for a pre-existing condition in the last two years. If it's the opposite and you havent been to a doctor then either b) You are correct about your prognosis because you once part time studied medicine so you could take out insurance to the hilt and go for it in six months claiming some dirty Northern bastard fouled you on the football pitch or c) You're wrong and have watched too much Doogie Howser and/or are an incredible bedwetting nancy who's got a bit of a stiff knee.

a, b or c?

Haven't been to the doctor and have no intention to until I know what the deal is as to going private so thats one tick. As for B or C I don't really care, if it is nothing all the better, however as some morning I am doubled up in pain unable to move my knee and when driving long distances with lots of gear changes my left knee swells up to three times its normal size I think its a safe to say there is an underlaying issue.

With the loss of earnings/income protection are there specific terms that need to be worked out as I am a contractor, and thus my LtdCo could keep paying me?

**northernladuk** · 30 January 2012, 20:52

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

Before NLUK comes up and starts telling me to search, I have, and I haven't found the answer to my question so FOAD mate!

I have never told the old heads to do a search. That is reserved for newbies...

I have had 3 knee ops all private. Two cartilage and one to clean up a broken cruciate ligament. If you go private you can get a scan and be in for the op in less than a week. Go in early morning, have keyhole surgery and be out again by mid afternoon. Bit of swelling for a week and your as good as gold. It's bloody amazing. 10 years ago they would have had to take your knee cap off and leave you with a 2 foots scar down your shin.

I have to say I cannot remember how much it cost but it wasn't extremely excessive and worth having it done private to get a good job and get on your feet quickly!

Thats assuming you have a cartilage or ligament problem ofc.

**SimonMac** · 30 January 2012, 20:53

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

I have never told the old heads to do a search. That is reserved for newbies...

I have had 3 knee ops all private. Two cartilage and one to clean up a broken cruciate ligament. If you go private you can get a scan and be in for the op in less than a week. Go in early morning, have keyhole surgery and be out again by mid afternoon. Bit of swelling for a week and your as good as gold. It's bloody amazing. 10 years ago they would have had to take your knee cap off and leave you with a 2 foots scar down your shin.

I have to say I cannot remember how much it cost but it wasn't extremely excessive and worth having it done private to get a good job and get on your feet quickly!

Thats assuming you have a cartilage or ligament problem ofc.

I am classed as an old head? Awww shucks

Did you pay for the costs out of your own pocket, or was it via some sort of healthcare plan?

**DimPrawn** · 30 January 2012, 20:55

My uncle suffered terribly with pain in both knees, agonising he said it was.

He died two weeks later.

HTH BIDI.

**northernladuk** · 30 January 2012, 20:57

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

I am classed as an old head? Awww shucks

Did you pay for the costs out of your own pocket, or was it via some sort of healthcare plan?

Ok Old knees if you want!

I was with PPP at the time through permie job sorry. It can seem like your knee is screwed but it only takes some dislodged cartiladge or a tear to agrivate it and stop it moving.

**northernladuk** · 30 January 2012, 21:02

Here..

What does it cost?
The cost of a knee arthroscopy operation in a UK private hospital or clinic is around £1,800 to £2,500, inclusive of private hospital charges and consultant’s fees. The operation can normally be undertaken without the need for an overnight stay in hospital.

from

Arthoscopy Knee operation - Private Surgery in the UK

I thought £1800 rang a bell..

Costs for different ops here..

Knee Surgery / Operations

**craig1** · 30 January 2012, 21:03

If you've got plenty of time and you're paying for it privately anyway then why not use the NHS system to get diagnosed properly? Once that's done and you know when you're going to be able to schedule it in go private. Probably the same consultant you'll deal with in the NHS anyway but the difference is that you'll get private benefits*.

Consider going to see a premium physio to see if there's a non-invasive alternative. I've had long-term knee problems and good physio is the only thing that has stopped me needing even more operations. If you're in London then I can recommend an excellent one.

If you must go under the knife, get recommendations from others as there's a vast difference between the butchers and skilled surgeons who all operate in the same area**

* Private hospitals give inclusive happy endings as part of the pain management process for joint operations. It's true. If you haven't had one then you need to go back for either a refund or late treatment.
** sic

**SimonMac** · 30 January 2012, 21:06

Originally posted by craig1 View Post

If you've got plenty of time and you're paying for it privately anyway then why not use the NHS system to get diagnosed properly? Once that's done and you know when you're going to be able to schedule it in go private. Probably the same consultant you'll deal with in the NHS anyway but the difference is that you'll get private benefits*.

Consider going to see a premium physio to see if there's a non-invasive alternative. I've had long-term knee problems and good physio is the only thing that has stopped me needing even more operations. If you're in London then I can recommend an excellent one.

If you must go under the knife, get recommendations from others as there's a vast difference between the butchers and skilled surgeons who all operate in the same area**

* Private hospitals give inclusive happy endings as part of the pain management process for joint operations. It's true. If you haven't had one then you need to go back for either a refund or late treatment.
** sic

Time is the one thing I don't have, I know I am going to take a two months being benched after this gig, I want it all done in that space of time

Contracting and Medical Operations