Bupa has reinstated virtually all the hospitals run by BMI Healthcare to its provider network after reaching agreement in a major pricing dispute that began last autumn.
The UK’s biggest private medical insurer and biggest hospital group have reached a three-year agreement that will see the “vast majority” of BMI Healthcare’s hospitals confirmed on Bupa’s recognised hospital lists. Only three hospitals – BMI Gisburne Park Hospital, BMI The Lancaster Hospital and BMI The Castle Consulting Suite – remain out of the Bupa network.
The new agreement suggests that at least one side has given ground. Both companies said that throughout the negotiations, they had been committed to providing continuity of care for patients and “regret any inconvenience which may have been experienced by patients or consultants”.
“This marks the beginning of a stronger working relationship between BMI Healthcare and Bupa; one which will benefit private patients, the independent healthcare sector and the healthcare sector as a whole,” said John Von Klemperer, managing director of hospital operations, BMI Healthcare.
Bupa said: “We believe that the new arrangements provide a good basis to address the affordability of private healthcare while maintaining current standards of high quality care for Bupa members.”