BUPA Physiotherapy Tender Process

[SuperFizz]

And thanks to TPV I have just read this on the website of the Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations (FIPO) - Physiotherapists and BUPA Insurance (March 2009)

Physiotherapists and BUPA Insurance
March 2009

BUPA Insurance has recently written to all its physiotherapy providers in the independent sector asking for detailed returns of information both personal and professional in what is called a quality exercise. Thereafter it is BUPA’s intention to set up a preferred provider network based on price. No doubt many physiotherapy groups will be excluded.

This exercise is identical to the failed BUPA attempt to enforce a network on ophthalmologists. The physiotherapists have been vocal in their response (see thephysiosvoice.co.uk) and have raised all the arguments that were employed in ophthalmology. Physiotherapists are concerned about a reduction in patient choice and because treatments may be limited and clinical care compromised.

BUPA argue that there is a variation in the price of physiotherapy services but fail to admit that there is a variation in price for all private medical services which depends on local factors, overheads, seniority and so forth.

FIPO supports the physiotherapists and regards this as another example of an insurer intruding into clinical care matters under the guise of quality but in fact for financial reasons. Our main concern is, however, over the loss of patient choice and the possible reduction in the standards of care. There are also well established links between consultants and physiotherapists which may be broken. A further question for BUPA to answer is whether or not they have a conflict of interest in that they run their own physiotherapy services under BUPA Wellness.

Additional Comment I forgot:
It gets even scarier. Seems Nuffield and BUPA are in competition for all of this. Just saw this on thephysiosvoice site and think it should get a place here as well.

I have been told by a old patient that my clinic is no longer recognised by HSA and that they are only using The NUFFIELD network physios.I had not recieved any notification from HSA etc. I rang HSA up and they told me that i am not recognised and that I should get on the Nuffield list. Rang nuffield and were told they were no longer accepting any more physiotherapy clinics.

See more about them here: Physiotherapy | Nuffield Health. And who is registered with them? and on what deals?

[SuperFizz]

And this in relation to Nuffield directly tendering to BUPA! Does all the physios in that group realise by default they are now endorsing the BUPA tender????

I am concerned that it is not only BUPA and PPP that are dominating the market. It would be wise to watch what Nuffield are doing. We received an e mail from them yesterday saying they would be tendering on behalf of all Nuffield network Physios to Bupa. Apparently Nuffield are already the largest employer of Physios outside the NHS, they are quietly taking over our profession.They have already mopped up most of the fitness business, owning more that it may be realised.I thought monopolies were against the ”consumers ” best interests