The History of Bupa
Bupa – originally called the Biritsh United Provident Association - was founded on 3 April 1947, with the founding purpose to ‘prevent, relieve and cure sickness and ill-health of every kind’. Prior to the initiation of Britain’s NHS in 1947, the Country’s health system functioned on a part voluntary and part state funded basis. At the core of this health system model was the creation of Provident clubs, which originated in the early 1920’s. The first of these clubs, the British Provident Association, was brought to the surface by eminent doctors and those who ran hospitals to help provide treatment for industrial workers and individuals on modest incomes in times of sickness.
The growth of the British Provident Association was immense and its success spurred the creation of the Oxford Provident Association. Then the Second World War threw the system into flux when an increased demand for a ‘free’ national health system, financed from general taxation, grew.
In 1945, legislation nationalised local authority and voluntary hospitals and free medical treatment was made available to all British residents. Nonetheless, it still preserved the voluntary system and allowed people to make arrangements for private treatment. This in turn led to the 1946 meeting of 89 organisations, including 32 provident associations. Following this meeting, in 1947, seventeen of the associations joined forces as a company limited by guarantee, and named themselves the British United Provident Association Limited, or Bupa as it is now commonly known.
Bupa Insurance Policy Review
Bupa offers two types of health insurance, comprehensive and treatment and care. Comprehensive health insurance covers both private diagnosis and treatment. Treatment and Care cover is for people who are happy to be diagnosed by the NHS but would like to receive treatment privately.
