Performed by Optical Express surgeon Dr Amir Mani, lens exchange surgery (RLE/NLR) in December 2018 left patient Mark with vision problems from day one: he was repeatedly told to wait, give it time… they would contact him before his 12 months aftercare period was up...
In keeping with OE's modus operandi, of course no-one did contact Mark
And after calling them in January 2020, finally examined by an optometrist in February - not by a surgeon! - Mark was told he needed YAG laser, and that the cost would be £800-1000. (OE also tried to charge him for the appointment, which he refused to pay).
Having private health insurance with Aviva, Mark was shocked when he contacted the company last month and told they wouldn’t fund his surgery! (‘IOC’ presumably typo for ‘IOL’)
More shocking perhaps is the fact that Aviva not only have a partnership with Optical Express (for cataract ops), but also house the company in their Uxbridge premises.
www.westlondon.com/optical-express-opens...development-belmont/
Utter hypocrisy and questionable behaviour.
Bupa UK
* & Aviva private health insurers' association with Optical Express was discussed here a few years ago, when reputable and ethical surgeons told me they were unable to compete with Optical Express, who allegedly not only offer ‘sweeteners' to these health insurers, but unbeatable low rates for cataract ops - way below the amounts they charge their own customers.
"'
I paid insurance for 25 years then had to find £715 extra for knee surgery': The tricks health insurers are using to cut costs
It means Bupa UK customers can no longer get treatment from surgeons who charge above this level without footing some of the bill themselves. However, Bupa says it will cover all costs if they use one of its fee-assured doctors.
Alternatively, the firm is asking customers to have cataract operations at branches of opticians Optical Express — often found in shopping centres or town centres — as part of a deal thrashed out in the past year."
www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article...using-cut-costs.html
Anyone considering buying a medical insurance policy with Aviva needs to be cautious, because if you had any kind of surgery performed privately, a hip replacement for example, would they similarly refuse to fund necessary treatment if you later had an accident that damaged this body part?
*I have no idea whether or not Bupa UK are still in business with Optical Express, but do know that some of their members have sued OE after being referred by the company.