EK SUPPORT SERVICES
 

Is it just me or are all EK support services at breaking point? I can't get a medical appointment for the missus for love nor money as all the quacks are fully booked until the end of this month. Their answer? Oh just keep ringing up every morning to see if any cancellations have been made. Yeah right, how convenient. The only way to get a dental appointment is to have a sex change and marry a pilot, cos just about the only people who appear to manage a trip to the tooth fairy are wifeys. Tried to get the visa renewal blood test done by pitching up nice and early this morning. Er no chance. No bloods until after 10:30 cos they're overwhelmed by abinitio cabin crew. The ESC is wall to wall standing room only. Take a number and pitch your tent, it's going to be a long wait :*

No - it's not just you, the medical situation is a shambles, I'm lucky to have a hint of my following month's roster and managed to book a tooth scrape-n-look at the end of next month. Everyone is under the cost saving microscope - all for our convenience naturally.

My Family have opted out and pay'n'claim using an outside doctor.

Best thing we've done- no delays in appointments, get to choose a Doctor we like (Ex EK Clinic as it happens), and see the same Doc each time for continuity of care.

The claims DO get paid (eventually!!)

Agree with Oz, nothing like being able to choose your own Dr especially for the kiddies, on the dental side of things they need to dramatically increase the allowance in order for people to start opting out though...

Pay and claim is slow but worth the wait!

OK, opting out for the wifey it is then. Thanks!

I have never understood why any wives/families use the EK clinic when they can directly access anywhere they like without a referral, also most of it isn't even pay and claim, just give them the EK medical card and most of the big names will direct bill. There is no such thing as 'opting out' for pilots' families (other than dental) They can see a doctor (GP) on a while you wait basis, without an appointment at the likes of London Hospital and others. Dental does require an opt out and is pay and claim, but again - much easier, faster and probably closer than the EK clinic.
If only us pilots could avoid the place too! It gets raised at all the washup sessions too - still no improvement. Sometimes it's as if the company expansion has came as something of a surprise to some departments..

Bloggs,

Are you at Silicon? Wife and kids can go to Symbiosis and it gets charged direct to EK. We can too, but we have to pay up front and claim afterwards. It gets credited straight to your account.

The Doctors at the EK Clinic have far superior moaning skills to pilots. It was lovely to hear and so refreshing that other departments can 'give it out' better.

What's surprising is that Qatar has beaten EK to the announcement of MIA as its next destination. This will pain them far more than a Doctors appointment.

Give it 2-3 weeks......................

Other doctors for pilots
 

RE: "we can go to Symbiosis too and claim it back..."
I though that was only after hours and in an "emergency" (which is not defined in the manual, of course)?? So if you head down there for a cold or something routine, you run the risk of having your claim denied.
Anyone know anything different?