BUPA Physiotherapy Tender Process

[physiobob]

Saw this on the BUPA website today. Interesting. Seems they are trying to get enough from their existing relationships. Then if that doesn't hold they'll open it up further down the chain. The chain I believe that for the past 4-5 years they have felt not sufficiently qualified to treat their clients. Seems when there's a need and a financial incentive any physio is OK to treat their clients. Maybe this is a question the OFT should be asking them of their 5yr+ minimum requirement.

We have decided to put on hold the recognition of new physiotherapists during this period but we will be able to get back to you after 1 October 2009 to update you on possible changes to the recognition process.

[physiosteo]

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?!

[hockeyphys]

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!)

[physiosteo]

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 was

extremely pleasing

and we received a total of 3,400 bids from clinics and or practices.

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

[londonphysio]

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

[hockeyphys]

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!