Who are Equipsme?
Equipsme launched in 2018 with a mission to make business health insurance simple, practical and great value for money.
Unlike other health benefits and insurance, we actually want people to USE their plan. It’s not supposed to sit in your back pocket and do nothing. Which is exactly why we’ve put together these practical ‘How to’ guides.
Why Equipsme?
The services we selected to make up our award-winning plans are delivered by some of the biggest and most respected health providers in the industry like AXA Health, Thriva, Health Assured and Health Hero, so you can be reassured your health is in safe hands.
Equipsme is unique in the market because it also allows you to pay in to upgrade your cover and choose the level of benefits you believe is right for you and also add your partner and children, giving you extra peace of mind.
How to arrange private treatment available on plan Levels 2 and 1.
Sometimes you can’t hang around waiting to get treatment on the NHS. Sometimes you need it now, or you need a second opinion, or different options. With your Equipsme plan, Level 2 and 1, it’s easy to access treatment, without having to pay up front.
Help. I need to get some treatment. How do I make an appointment?
You can check to see if treatment is part of your Equipsme plan by visiting the Equipsme portal. All your benefits appear as buttons on your homepage.
If you’ve already used your Equipsme plan to get diagnosed by a consultant, they will suggest whether you need further treatment and if it should take place in hospital. All you need to do is call up AXA Health and let them know what’s been suggested, so they can assess whether your condition is eligible for cover and help you find a hospital/clinic on their approved network.
My specialist says I need treatment – how do I make an appointment?
You’ll need a letter from your specialist recommending the type of treatment needed and your AXA Health membership number (which appears in your portal). Call up AXA Health, and they’ll assess whether your treatment is eligible for cover and if so, authorise, and they can also help you arrange a treatment date.
Where will I be treated?
There is an approved medical network of the medical professionals, diagnostic centres and hospitals you’re allowed to use. The aim is always to limit your travel distance.
The AXA Health nationwide network of more than 100 hospitals/clinics includes Circle Health, Nuffield Health and Spire Healthcare hospitals, as well as the London Clinic and Imperial Healthcare, plus private patient units in some NHS facilities. Typically, our members will find that they live or work within 15 miles of a provider – and just 5 miles in London.
Can I choose my own Dr, physio or clinic?
Just call AXA Health and they can help organise appointments with you as they need to pre-authorise your treatment to make sure it is covered. You don’t want to pick a person or clinic that isn’t recognised under your plan and risk your bills not being covered!
How quickly will I be treated?
Your treatment will depend on your condition and your consultant’s list of patients, but is usually within weeks, and faster than the NHS waiting list.
Is there anything I won’t be able to get treatment for?
You won’t be able to get treatment for any conditions you’ve had symptoms, medication, treatment or advice for in the three years before your Equipsme plan started. Like all health insurance policies, there are things that are also not covered by our plans. That includes mental health treatment, routine pre and post-natal care, and the treatment of ongoing, recurrent and long-term chronic conditions – for instance Crohn’s Disease.
Also, we don’t cover the treatment of cancer once diagnosed. You can get diagnosed swiftly through your Equipsme plan, which is often the most important step, and once diagnosed you can access dedicated nurse support helplines to help with any questions as you return to the NHS for your treatment. The NHS is brilliant at cancer care, and brilliant in a crisis, and they’re best able to co-ordinate whatever you might need.
It means we can keep our prices low, and help more people access wider private healthcare in a way they wouldn’t have been able to before.
To find out more about what is and is not covered under your chosen Equipsme plan, see your Membership Handbook which you can download from your members portal or App.
Will I have to pay upfront for my treatment?
If AXA Health approve your treatment and give you an authorisation number, the claims team will confirm exactly what they will pay for so that you don’t need to pay upfront, but it’s important to check back with them at every stage of your treatment.
Remember, on plan Level 2 there is an excess of £150 per person per plan year, which is the amount you are expected to pay towards a claim. You will usually receive an invoice from the treatment provider, for you to settle direct.
What do I do when I get to the hospital?
Report to reception, and they’ll direct you to the right place. At the department reception, you’ll be given a form to fill in with all your details – including the claim number reference from AXA Health.
Quick info about arranging private treatment through AXA Health:
- Ask your specialist for a letter recommending your treatment plan.
- Contact AXA Health with your membership number to confirm if your planned treatment is eligible. You can access the claim form through the members portal or phone them on 0800 917 9472
- Have your membership number ready – you can find this in the members portal or by contacting Equipsme on 020 3965 6410.
- If covered, arrange your private treatment with AXA Health
For more information about accessing private treatment please read our news and blog articles:
Our exclusions
Our cancer cover
What is a pre-existing condition?
What is a chronic condition?
Date reviewed: Dec 2024
