Bupa defends open referrals after doctors' criticism

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Bupa has hit back at claims by doctors that its open referrals process is ‘flawed on several levels' and limits patient choice.

The insurer claimed recent findings by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) supported its decision and revealed the majority of renewing corporate schemes were taking up the option. It also noted that of more than 30,000 patients who used the process last year, 93% were comfortable with Bupa providing guidance and choice about hospitals and consultants. The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) has previously clashed with the private medical insurance (PMI) provider over its use of reviews for certain types of knee surgery. However, in an open letter on its website, the BOA's Patient L...

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