Printable View
I tendered at a price above my normal price.
Just received this email from Bupa:
“As part of the second phase of implementation we will be contacting additional providers, including yourself, who we feel are able to enhance the network for the benefit of our members. We would like to better understand your current position and discuss your application further”
I guess that's a "no" for now, then?!
Could you add the link so that all can see the whole BUPA quote (this site won't allow me to do that.)
Seems that we won't know tomorrow if we are 'in or out'
I presume that BUPA will now start to contact those of us who have tenderered at our full rates and try to get us to drop them.
We must stand firm on our quotes - we all put a lot of effort and thought into deciding what was right for us and our profession.
(Interesting that their site is down for'maintenance' all this weekend!)
no link, it was an email but i am happy to quote the whole thing:
I am writing further to your application for the Bupa UKM Approved Physiotherapy Network.
The response from physiotherapists wasand we received a total of 3,400 bids from clinics and or practices.Quote:
extremely pleasing
We have decided to phase the implementation of the network over the next few weeks, with the first phase starting on Friday 15 May covering an initial 3000 clinics and practices. We will be writing to all those clinics and practices that have been successful in gaining a place on the new Bupa approved network in readiness for the first phase of the launch.
As part of the second phase of implementation we will be contacting additional providers, including yourself, who we feel are able to enhance the network for the benefit of our members. We would like to better understand your current position and discuss your application further.
During the roll-out of the network, we are keen to ensure that our members still continue to receive a high level of service and care. Therefore, all recognised physiotherapists will continue to be eligible to treat their Bupa patients until we begin to formally suspend those providers with whom we have not reached a suitable agreement. Should you be unsuccessful, we will agree a period of time to ensure any ongoing treatment of Bupa members is completed to ensure continuity of care.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the feedback we have received to date from providers. We believe that by phasing the implementation of the full network, it will allow further valuable discussions to take place to the benefit of our members by increasing patient choice.
We will be communicating with you in the next few weeks to provide an update on the full launch of the network. Should you have any queries or require more information, please do not hesitate to call us on 0845 600 4078 or email [email protected].
With kind regards
Jane Gallagher
Commissioning Manager
Looks like they will definitely have their network, then. I hope that those who tendered below will not have been hedging their bets on an increase of referrals!
I am very nervous now, i have to confess. No access to my work email until the morning.
No BUPA for me means end of business.
Good luck everyone
Don't neccessearily think that or panic! If you look through the whole thread of what was posted on thier BUPA site, (That is the thread I can't attach to this blog) I think it implys that they havn't got enough 'cheap' reponses to support their network.
The timing of Osteophysios reponse shows that JG has thrown out a blanket reponse after most closing hours - I'm sure many of us will wake up in the morning and see the same response - so hold on in there - this isn't finished yet!
Yep and they are not saying anything about what tenders were fully complete or what were acceptable. I would suggest most have not come within their requirements. As such they are using a blanket number for you to think they already have their 3,000 when in fact they might only have a few 100. That is a scare tactic.
As said above you should stick to your guns, or even pull your tender. They have tried to divide and conquer, now they will tackle individuals. Let's just say by their wording they DO NOT have their network and they are now trying to work on plugging the gaps. In terms of negotiation that means anyone they contact is in the driving seat.
Of course I am still firmly behind the status of NOT tendering as it is both to the detriment of the public and the profession. Those that have, have indeed weakened the professions autonomy and have weakened any legal complaints we have to make. Stand firm!
Bupa’s response to online discussions
During the tender process Bupa provided both a call centre and an email address to deal with queries from physiotherapists, as we believed this was the most appropriate way to answer all queries raised during the tender. Over the period of the tender Bupa responded to over 2000 calls and more than 800 emails, therefore I feel that we have given sufficient additional information to assist physiotherapists during this time.
Having howeverread with interest the various comments posted on The Physio’s Voice/The Physio Forum I thought it might be helpful to respond to some of the key points raised on the forum, correct one or two inaccuracies and answer some of the questions raised.
It is understandable that some physiotherapists are concerned about the Bupa tender. Many physiotherapists have contacted Bupa for clarity because they are confused by some of the information they have received from their professional organisations or colleagues – I’d like to reassure all practitioners that we want to work with physiotherapists so that together, we can make sure that patients receive quality assured treatment from a wide choice of physiotherapists.
Clinical autonomy: we do not want to interfere in clinical decision-making or threaten clinical autonomy. We are keen to understand the reasons for both the clinical and financial variation that currently exist and we appreciate that clinicians often treat a wide variety of conditions, some more complex than others, and that there may be valid clinical reasons for such variation. This is why the tender requested providers to develop evidence based treatment plans and share audit data that supports clinical outcomes.
Choice of practitioners: we are not trying to reduce the choice of physiotherapists for Bupa members and there has never been a desire to cap the number of preferred physiotherapy providers with whom we wish to contract. Bupa has not done a ‘U’ turn as described in various physiotherapy publications. We hope that many or all of those providers who submitted a tender will be able to agree contracts with us and join our new network.
Treatment costs: Bupa’s agreement with physiotherapists will be for the reimbursement of treatment costs including an initial and follow-on sessions. The only exception is where the clinician is offering a service that is not refundable under the terms of the patient’s Bupa insurance cover, for example a Pilates class or loan of equipment such as a TENS machine.
We invited clinicians to submit the fees they would charge if they were accepted into the network for the level of service they agreed to provide our members. We want to ensure that the rates our members pay are fair and reasonable. The benchmark prices in the tender are based on recent claims for physiotherapy treatment. In establishing agreements with physiotherapists, a number of factors will be considered: session averages and price are important, as are location, clinical specialties and evidence of service excellence.
Financial savings: By ensuring Bupa members receive quality assured value for money out-patient treatment, our customers are more likely to have the funds available when they need the reassurance of prompt access to care.
Any savings generated by the physiotherapy tender and other similar initiatives will be used to help fund health care for our customers
Clinical practice information: by requesting physiotherapists share information about their clinical practice and rates, we will be able to re-assure Bupa insured patients that a Bupa recognised physiotherapist will provide them with quality assured treatment and value for money; this is information which our customers are increasingly asking clinicians to provide.
Five years’ experience: our customers want the reassurance that the clinicians who treat them are experienced and able to offer specialist skills, hence we do not recognise newly qualified graduates. This applies to all medical practitioners recognised by Bupa Health Insurance, not just physiotherapists. It also applies to practitioners working in Bupa Wellness clinics who are subject to the same criterion. It would not be appropriate to assess the CV’s of all physiotherapists applying for recognition. Bupa realise that there may be clinicians of less than 5 years offering senior skills but to ensure a fair process we have decided not to make exceptions to this criterion.
Legal queries: PhysioFirst and the CSP recognise that it’s entirely appropriate for Bupa to regularly review the services provided to our members. However, they did have some concerns about our approach and have sought legal advice about the tender. Bupa has responded fully to lawyers acting for the professional bodies to all requests for information.
Claims processing: Bupa is not asking providers to process any claims or act on behalf of Bupa. We are asking that all network providers agree to invoice the cost of physiotherapy treatment direct to Bupa and not to request payment from our members. This is because we want our members to concentrate on getting better without the additional worry and hassle of having to pay for treatment and claim it back from Bupa afterwards. In addition to assist the provider with payment we ask that they check the pre-authorisation details with the member to ensure bills are paid.
Next Steps: the online tender is now closed and we are delighted with the response from physiotherapists. We are now reviewing the submissions and finalising the network. The network will be rolled out over the coming weeks.
If anyone has any concerns or questions about the Bupa physiotherapy tender, they can contact our team on 0845 600 4078 or email [email protected].
Mr Steven Pink
Head of Provider Relations and Procurement
Bupa UK Membership
So, what does the email above mean? There are lots of people who have received this email. Does it mean yes or no?
We who tendered have been waiting for this with a lot of concern, only to find out today that, well, it might be a yes but you may have to drop your fees first?
Can you tell us what the criterion for inclusion has been when I know my fees and sessional averagesare below those of my local bupa wellness clinic and I have signed up to all of the quality control issues mentioned in the tender?
Just received an acceptance letter from BUPA. Thought people might like to know what it says.
"Dear X,
Re.: Bupa UKM Approved Physiotherapy Network Announcement
Thank you for taking part in the Bupa UKM Physiotherapy tender. I am delighted to confirm that your bid was successful and, from 15 May 2009, your clinic/practice will become a Bupa Approved Provider of Physiotherapy services.
We are extremely pleased with the positive response we have received from physiotherapists and have generally found that, like you, most practitioners and practices are committed to the core values which underpin the network; namely, continuing to demonstrate clinical excellence, to deliver greater consistency, to provide customer service excellence, and to offer value for money."
... blah blah blah. It goes on.
Best of luck to everyone else waiting to hear. FYI, I tendered at my normal prices.
rangimari are your prices within the benchmark fees?
No, they are higher, by more than 25%.Quote:
Originally Posted by londonphysio
Well, Bupa appears to have divided us. Those that successfully tendered, those that failed with their tender and those that didn't tender. Each group will now have their own cause for concern about the future.
Surely now AXAPPP will start to check the new Bupa Network Provider List to ensure parity. How could you justify charging different rates for BUPA and AXAPP patients? This is the tip of the iceberg in my opinion.
I just wonder if there is any attempt by the insurance companies to set prices won't that amount to price fixing which I thought was illegal. Surely the rules about competition apply equally to the insurers as they do to us??
pt4u
Just got my contract back from Bupa, signed, and at prices slightly above their 'benchmarked' prices. It's been a bit of a roller coater ride, but I'm happy with the outcome. I didn't even have to drop my standard price - so all good!:)
'Good' on the price side but let's not forget the terms and conditions to which all who tendered had to agree and which, despite what BUPA say, have serious implications for our professional autonomy in the future.
It would be very interesting to know how many of us who tendered at our normal fees recieved letters that they will be reviewing us seperatly
I think it will be most, in which case we are in a very strong position as we are a very large group and BUPA needs us - they cannot go to another group or outsource us to India (as would happen with tenders in other areas of industry) as they are commited to providing a service to thier members.
If we stick to our guns, and maintain our personal fee levels as a group, I believe we are stronger than them.
Can this site set up a poll to see who recieved what letter? (Physio voice seems to have gone very silent on this one unless I'm missing something)
I still don't see where what BUPA are asking for is any different from any other tenders I have completed (NHS, 'middlemen' insurance companies, coporate company contracts) - all of those ask for reports, direct billing,stats and restrict treatment numbers. All will allow you to increase your treatment sessions when you justify it. Every time I have tendered I have done so at a rate that I feel we are worth - some I've lost as a consequence, but have never backed down and won't do so this time.
I actually feel there are 5 groups! - those that tendered below thier fees, (who will now have to work twice as hard to achieve thier previous income) those that tendered at thier normal fees and are awaiting the next stage with interest, those that chose not to tender and are comfortable with it, those who chose not to tender and arn't, and those that negotiated seperatly with BUPA outside the process.
We must remember we are still a strong body with a lot of clout.
Hockeyphys physiofirst have started just such a survey. I had an alert Friday evening. Closes tues pm so will have rsults Wednesday I guess
Just thought I'd let people know. I did tender but at my usual fees (£10 above the benchmark for assessment and follow-up for my area) and have been accepted. Wasn't expecting that!
Congrats to those who succeeded. However, it might be that bupa had to agree to higher fees in certain areas in order to get the network? I dont know, but seems likely. I think those who got the 'maybe' email probably had someone else in their area tender below them. Just a thought.
I am now very confused!
After not being at work on Friday, I get in to work today and find 2 BUPA leters plus the e mail I picked up over the weekend!
Letter1 (to me personally) - As you did not tender , you have not been succesful - etc etc
Letter 2 (to me as clinic rep) Pleased to say you have been successful. Attached is a signed contract etc etc
E mail (to me at the clinic) - we will be approaching you for further discussions!
???? - has this happened to anyone else? - shudder to think how BUPA call centres will field patient enquiries and what is on thier database - guess I now have to take more time out composing letters for clarifiaction!
Can anyone post up the link to the physiofirst poll on BUPA's responses so I can access it? (Seem to have let my physiofirst sub lapse in the midst of all this!)
Yes we recieved an acceptance letter on Fri followed by personal ones today as we had not tendered individually .An e-mail to BUPA told us that as a clinic we did not need to tender individually if all the physios were happy to have the clinic send inthe accounts.
I would be curious to know how many duplicate entries there are in the total number of physios listed on the Bupa data base.
I have had a response from BUPA this morning re the 'maybe' email.
Apparently for those who tendered and got this email, a decision will be made within 2 weeks and they will let me know the outcome.
I have emailed them back to find out if there will be a negotiation, or whether it will be a flat yes or no.
has anyone who tendered heard a definite 'no' yet?
I am still waiting.....
Actually, londonphysio, it's not clear what is happening at present.
According to BUPA, there have been the 3000 accepted (some, apparently, at above the 'benchmark' prices). The other claimed 400 are yet to be advised but, apparently, some who did not tender have been contacted saying that BUPA wish to reserve the right to be in touch to establish their position as, they say, some pratices 'bring quality' to their service and they would like to 'establish their position' but, in the meantime, they (BUPA) would ask them to continue accepting their patients.
Does this not have the smell of a U-turn or at least a demonstration of failure of the tender process in its initial format?
At present, it all seems to have gone a bit quiet with no particular direction being apparent - a bit like the current political situation with a paralysed Government imploding on itself!!
Watch and wait! I'm sure BUPA are 'delighted' at having been able to accept 50% - just 50% - of the initial target, ......not!:D
No updates from this end. I suspect they are being quiet on purpose to see if everything dies down a bit so they can begin chipping away again. I did however get a response from my local member to my letter who said he would be taking up the issue higher up the Gov't chain. So it is not to late to ask everyone to continue to send in letters of complaint to their local members to keep the issue fresh from our end. BUPA will be hoping our initial campaign fades along with the energy spent in making it all happen. We should be mindful to keep a continuous campaign going until we have a result. :o
Well it seems that from recent comments on the Physio Voice that BUPA have not been able to get their network. Of course they did get a good starting point and I do feel sorry for those now getting paid less per session that the rest of us.
Comments include practitioners who did not tender at all who have remained covered by BUPA under their existing contracts at whatever fee's they are currently charging. There seems no actual end date to that at present. I for one did not tender and have heard very little. I continue to treat their clients and charge what I like.
The main thing to consider though is the fact that quietly, one by one, BUPA is trying to pick off practices to try to complete their domination of the UK market. I hope people continue to resist second and third offers to tender for the same deal as that originally offered. To tender at all is to see the further degradation of our professional autonomy.
I figure they are waiting for the results of the two complaints (OFT etc.) before making their next move. Let's all stand firm. Should BUPA contact you at this stage it means they need you! You can agree to a price per session if you like (even though that kills the marketplace) but don't agree to sign anything else that costs you time and money. Don't forgo the right to charge the patient at the time of consultation and don't sign up to increased admin.
Any more news on the BUPA tender, has anyone been de-registered? Are the real winners those who did nothing and the losers those who tendered at benchmark?
Hi all...
The BUPA tender process is going to start now. If it gets good response, it will invest the money in a new drugs. I think this may cause reduction in the number of osteopaths.
Well as we have heard some people have now begun receiving letters saying they are no longer covered by BUPA.And to add to that their clients have received letters saying they are no longer covered by those individuals. More so that the reason for this is that they ensure they are only covered/treated by senior physios.
Now that's interesting. Perhaps the initial cull is on the more recent graduates already on their books. I've been on their books for 12rys or more since in the UK. I did not tender and so far no letter.
I was thinking about perhaps paying to have some website banner made for anyone who wanted to use one saying something like
"In the interest of an open market this clinic does not recognise BUPA health insurance. We support the physio access for all initiative."
Of course wording that is approved by legal. But something that shifts it back and acknowledges that it should and is We who do not accept them as we did not tender to their conditions and therefore could not be considered.
Any thoughts. I think that if this type of position took hold BUPA would hate the bad press.
I finally received the letter from Bupa a week ago; was beginning to think that they were quietly keeping some of us on the list, especially those of us who have been registered a long time. I am now drafting a letter to those of my Bupa clients that have come to me on and off for a long time (either for different conditions, or to get 'back on track' for longstanding conditions). Has anyone done this, and any ideas of wording? I gather that Bupa clients are getting a letter from Bupa about the register, and am hoping to see it, so I can respond to what they write. Most of my above client group have already said that they will continue to come to me, either by paying me direct, or some have said they will try insisting on seeing me. The best thing would be of course, if they change their PMI!
I have been given my dear john letter from Bupa after over twenty years of treating their patients. My patients who have recently asked Bupa for new authorisation have been told that their treatment is covered until the end of the year.
I wonder if the door has completely closed. Look at Bupa's wording on the initial document they sent:
"Physiotherapists can choose not to bid but at the point at which the new network is launched, they may no longer be eligible to treat Bupa members or invoice Bupa."
Does "may" mean that if you are treating a coporate member who just happens to be a big wig in their company, then they will make an exception?
I have seen the letter that Bupa are sending their members regarding their 'new out-patient physiotherapy network', and find it downright insulting. "the agreements we have with network physiotherapists ensure that only experienced clinicians treat Bupa members" I have 31 years experience, and it is partly because of my experience that I decided not to tender. Nowhere in the letter does it mention how many providers they have in their network - I assume the number is significantly less than before, and therefore there is less choice. Do the members know this?
Again the recent BUPA letter to the members is something that the CSP and Physio First should be taking legal issue with.
I finally received the Dear John letter this week. Not moving my stance though. Of course offended since I helped research and co-author the UK's Guidelines on the treatment of Occupational Low Back Pain. I have also been the CSP media expert on PIilates and Back Pain. Obviously BUPA consider that not to be senior enough?
Surely the implication of their wording is to b challenged but then they know that perhaps this is the base but they've already sent out the letters and unless they printed a retraction letter it would be of little use.
HOw about the idea mentioned previously of marketing that we are "Recognised by all Major Health Care insurers. As part of the Access Physio for All Initative we DO NOT recognise BUPA insurance at this clinic."
Maybe the wording could be better but you get what I am aiming at. Any comments?
One of my patients was up for Bupa insurance renewal last week, this is what he told me:
He told them he was not going to renew as his preferred physiotherapist was not on the Bupa physiotherapy network from next year. Guess what? Someone phoned him back and said he would still be able to see me if he wanted.
Did they give him the correct information? Is authorisation going to be given outside the Network if a patient insists?
Seems a bit like a car insurance claim process.
Anyone else had a similar experience?
Yep, several of mine have just rung up and said 'I want to see this guy, he's not more expensive than the others and I've been seeing him for yrs'. Every time BUPA has authorised it. Glad to know the customer really has the power!!
What I was meaning to put across, is that Bupa were discussing possible future authorisation from NEXT year when I will not be in the network!