• Posted Date: 12/03/2024

Private Surgery Costs In The UK

Written By: Stuart Hendy LinkedIn Icon Reviewed By: Emma Leadbetter


In this guide, our health insurance experts have researched the typical costs of common private medical surgeries in the UK. They also explain how you can pay for surgeries and what private health insurance will cover, including factors that can affect the price.

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Average private operation costs in 2024

​The price of medical care can vary based on how you pay for it. If you’re footing the bill yourself (self-paying), you’ll cover all the costs. However, if you have private health insurance, it might cover everything or at least a portion, depending on your policy. Not all private healthcare providers charge the same for similar treatments. Factors like specialists, location, amenities, and services can affect pricing.

For instance, hospitals in London, particularly those provided by HCA, might charge higher fees compared to the average. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask about costs upfront and compare them to find the best option for you and your family.

We’ve looked into how much surgeries typically cost in London. This information is based on what healthcare providers in the UK are charging, and it’s accurate as of March 2024.

Dental surgery

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Basic Tooth Extraction£200
Surgical Tooth Removal£450
Retained Tooth Root Removal£350
Full dental clearance, Upper dental clearance, Extraction of multiple teeth, Extraction of multiple teeth, Surgical removal of wisdom tooth, Coronectomy£650 each

Ear, nose and throat treatment

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Ear wax removal£100
Nasal endoscopy£225
Ear lump removal (single)£495
Mua of nasal bone (each)£850
Adenoid removal£2,600
Turbinoplasty (one side)£2,770
Perforated eardrum surgery, Tympanoplasty, Sinus surgery including FESS£3,605
Septorhinoplasty£4,375
Mastoidectomy£4,950

Eye treatments

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Laser treatment£600
Cataract Surgery£2,000
Bifocal cataract surgery£2,275
Bilateral£2,890
Toric£2,715
Monofocal£2,235
Eyelid surgery, Eyelid cyst removal, Oculoplastics£3,125
Blocked tear duct surgery£2,450
Glaucoma treatment, Age-related macular degenerationNHS Only

General surgery

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Gallbladder removal surgery£5,250
Hernia repair surgery£2,450
Benign cyst removal£2,275
Haemorrhoids treatment£2,890
Femoral hernia£2,315
Umbilical hernia£2,135
Pilonidal sinus treatment£2,925

Gynaecology

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Cervical polyp removal£2,930
Sterilisation£2,700
Vaginal cyst removal£2,050
Laparoscopy procedure£2,990
Ovary removal surgery£4,540
Vaginal hysterectomy£5,350
Keyhole hysterectomy£5,980

Hip surgery

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Injection ultrasound-guided (USGI) in clinic£600
Injection (Clinic)£225
Injection (Theatre)£1,750
Therapeutic substance injection£1,240
Pin removal (surgical)£2,315
Surgery- Hip Replacement£9,980
Surgery- Hip Revision£17,980

Knee surgery

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Injection ultrasound-guided (USGI) in clinic£650
Injection (Clinic)£225
Injection (Theatre)£1,850
Therapeutic substance injection£1,240
Pin removal (surgical)£2,315
Surgery- Hip Replacement£10,980
Surgery- Hip Revision£17,980
Meniscus surgery£4375
Bursa removal£2,750
An anterior cruciate ligament£5,760
Knee arthroscopy£4,375
Private operation costs UK 2024

Spinal surgery

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Spinal decompression£6,250
Slipped disc£6,250

Urology

Type of ProcedureAverage Price
Prostate Reduction£5,100
Vasectomy£995
Vasectomy Reversal£2,750
Cyst removal£1,940
Hydrocelectomy£2,115
Penis lesion removal£1,980
Frenuloplasty£1,560
Average private surgery costs UK 2024

What is fixed-price surgery?

Private hospitals give you a fixed price for your treatment, whether you stay overnight or just during the day. This includes everything from your consultant’s fee to the cost of surgery in UK of tests, diagnostics, anaesthesia, admission to the hospital and aftercare.

You won’t be surprised by extra charges, even if you need to stay longer than planned for medical reasons. So, whether you’re an inpatient or a day patient, you’ll know exactly what to expect and won’t have to worry about unexpected bills.

Factors that affect private surgery costs?

Several factors influence the cost of private surgery, including:

Where you have the surgery can impact costs due to differences in expenses like rent and staffing.

The complexity of the procedure affects the price, with simpler surgeries generally costing less.

The need for advanced equipment and technology can increase costs.

The type and amount of medication required for your surgery contribute to expenses.

Experienced consultants may charge higher fees, influencing overall costs.

Expenses for nurses and other staff members add to the total treatment cost.

Costs associated with the hospital or surgical centre, such as rent and utilities, affect pricing.

The hospital’s insurance expenses may be reflected in the cost of your treatment.

Understanding these factors can help you anticipate and plan for the cost of private operations.

How to find out the exact cost of surgery?

If you’re looking to learn about how much private medical treatments cost, here are some steps you can take:

Contact Private Hospitals

Firstly, check out the websites of private hospitals, especially larger ones like Spire Healthcare, HCA, Nuffield Health, Circle Health Group (formerly BMI), and Ramsay Health. They often have detailed info about the treatments they offer and how much they cost.

Next, you can directly reach out to these hospitals by phone or email. Ask them about the specific treatments you’re interested in and they might give you personalised quotes based on what you need.

Speak to a Private Health Insurance Provider

If you have private medical insurance, it’s a good idea to talk to your insurance provider or a broker. They can tell you about what’s covered and what kind of costs you might have to pay out of pocket.

You can also get in touch with us directly. One of our qualified advisors will be there to help you and explain everything step by step.

Take some time to compare surgery prices across different hospitals and private healthcare providers. Look at factors like where they’re located, what kind of reputation they have, and how good their care is.

Ways to Pay for Private Surgery

Self-Pay

Using your funds to cover the cost of treatment upfront, might be preferable if you don’t have a private health policy and have some savings on the side. This can help you avoid NHS waiting times.

Private Medical Insurance

If you have private health insurance, it can cover some or all of the costs, depending on your policy. This is the most cost-effective way. Keep in mind any excess you might need to pay to cover surgery insurance cost.

Medical Loan

Taking out a loan specifically for medical expenses, which can sometimes be interest-free. This option allows you to pay for it in a lump sum cash payment and repay the loan over time.

Instead of concluding: How to make the right choice

Choosing the right option for your private surgery can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Take your time to research and compare prices from different hospitals and healthcare providers. If you have private medical insurance, consider talking to your provider to understand what’s covered.

Remember, you can also self-pay or explore medical loan options if needed. Ultimately, it’s about finding what works best for you and your situation.

Do not hesitate to reach out to PremierPMI advisors for guidance along the way. We are here to help you make the right choice for your surgeries.

Stuart Hendy

Stuart Hendy, Senior PMI Advisor &Editor

Stuart Hendy is a highly experienced health insurance broker with extensive knowledge of private medical insurance and private treatment. His expertise is frequently sought by industry professionals and his insights have been featured in leading financial publications. Stuart is committed to providing his clients with the best possible healthcare solutions and empowering them to make informed decisions.

FAQ

Medical insurance may not cover conditions you’ve had symptoms from or received treatment for in the five years before your policy starts.

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Chronic illnesses
  • Cosmetic procedures
  • Experimental treatments
  • Certain medications
  • Long-term care
  • Pregnancy and childbirth

No, it is typically not covered by health policy unless it’s deemed medically necessary for reasons such as reconstruction after an accident or illness.

The cost of a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in the UK can vary widely depending on factors such as the surgeon’s fees, facility charges, and geographic location. However, it typically ranges from £3,000 to £6,000

Medical insurance may cover gastric sleeve operation if it’s deemed medically necessary to treat obesity-related health issues. However, coverage varies depending on the insurance provider and individual policy terms.

According to the Patient Claim Line, the average waiting time for a knee replacement is 18 weeks. Your waiting starts when the hospital receives your referral letter or when you book your first NHS appointment.

According to the NHS official website, the waiting time for hip replacement is 18 or more weeks from the date of referral date.


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