How Do I Go Private Instead of the NHS

How can I access private healthcare?

Accessing private healthcare is quite simple. You can either pay for your private treatment directly to a private hospital or use private health insurance if you have it. Private health care works separately from the NHS and offers faster, more personalised treatment options. You get to choose your consultant based on recommendations or personal preferences. Importantly, seeing a private doctor doesn’t stop you from using the NHS. 

Whether you pay right away or use private health insurance, start by getting a referral letter from your GP. If you’re self-paying, compare prices, check out different specialists and ask about how much private treatments cost. Choose the hospital where you want to go. If you have a specific consultant in mind, find out how much they charge. This way, you can decide what’s best for you and get treatment when you need it.

Post-surgery Follow-up

After your surgery, it’s really important to follow up with your doctor to ensure everything’s going well. You still can choose If you go to the NHS for your follow-ups, but if you self-paid for the private treatment or used your health insurance policy, this usually includes follow-up appointments – just check your agreement. Going private means you can see your consultant quickly without waiting for NHS availability. This makes it easy to check how you’re doing and get a personalised plan for your recovery. It’s all about making sure things go smoothly after your surgery.

Considering Additional Costs

When considering the costs of private care, remember there might be extra expenses like post-op care and therapies not included in the initial price. It’s good to check with the provider when getting pricing. For instance, after a knee replacement, physiotherapy helps recovery. If you’ve claimed for a back injury and need acupuncture, your private medical insurance with additional benefits like Therapies add-on may cover it.

Treatment typically involves topical or oral antibiotics. To prevent spread, keep the affected areas clean and avoid scratching.

The Concept of Fixed Price Surgery

When you choose fixed-price surgeries, everything about your medical costs becomes clear and predictable. The set cost covers all—from private consultation fees to pre-surgery treatments and aftercare. It helps you know exactly what you’re paying for, avoiding surprises and giving you peace of mind during your medical journey.

Can I mix and match NHS and Private Health Insurance?

Combining NHS and Private Health Insurance can be cost-effective. You might choose NHS for pre-treatment consultations, diagnostics and tests while opting for private surgery or vice versa. Many patients prefer private treatments for the procedure (especially with basic health insurance) and NHS for aftercare, creating a flexible and efficient approach to managing healthcare costs.

What are the costs and how can I pay for Private Healthcare?

The cost depends on things like the type of treatment, hospital you want to be treated and if you have private medical insurance. For instance, a cataract surgery might be approximately £3,000, while more complex procedures like hip replacement or heart surgery could incur higher expenses. You can pay with insurance, your own money or get a loan. Let’s look closely at these factors to figure out what works best for you.

Factors Influencing Treatment Costs

Figuring out the cost of medical treatment involves looking at different important things. Let’s understand these key factors:

• Location: The location where you reside also plays a role, with prices generally being higher in the southern regions and particularly elevated in London.
• Quality of Clinics: Renowned establishments like those on Harley Street may charge more due to attracting top-notch surgeons.
• Medical Team: The number and experience of the people helping with your private treatment affect the cost. If the staff is very experienced, the cost might be higher.
• Doctor’s Experience: The experience and expertise of the doctor you see make a difference. Doctors who are good at what they do might charge more for their services.

Average Costs for Common Procedures

We’ve researched surgical procedure costs across the UK. Please note that these prices, conducted in January 2024, serve as reference points. It’s important to recognize that heart surgery, brain surgery, and cancer treatments can incur substantial and prolonged expenses.

Extras

As part of your diagnosis before the surgery, there are several other potential costs you may need to consider:

Each Consultant fees – £170-£300 
Blood tests – from £100 
Each X-ray – from £150 
Blood Pressure and ECG Monitors from £250 
CT or MRI scans – from £350

Who and how to pay?

In the UK, there are three ways to pay for your private treatments. If you have private medical insurance you can use it to pay for your treatments, self-fund or get a personal medical loan.

Health Insurance

Health insurance works by paying monthly premiums to the insurance provider to cover expensive medical treatments. The catch is that it only covers bills for new, acute conditions, not pre-existing or chronic conditions.

Self-funding

If you have enough money saved up, you can self-fund your treatments by paying for them out of pocket. Sometimes, it’s even cheaper for smaller treatments compared to paying monthly premiums for your health insurance policy. However, it’s worth noting that treatments like hip replacement, heart surgery or cancer treatments can be both costly and lengthy.

Medical Loan

If private healthcare isn’t accessible through insurance and immediate funds are lacking, consider a personal medical loan. Healthcare groups like Nuffield Health, Spire and Circle Group are known for offering such loans, often with an interest-free period for the initial year. These loans typically have durations ranging from 1 to 5 years, with specific terms and conditions to consider. Private hospitals often offer these loans via third-party finance providers. Ensure to review loan terms carefully. Eligibility depends on meeting credit criteria.

Leading Private Healthcare Providers in the UK

When covering your own healthcare expenses, you have the freedom to choose your providers. Self-funding allows you to select healthcare professionals based on what you can afford. With private medical insurance policies, your options are determined by the hospital list you select upon enrollment. Your insurance provider will offer a range of hospitals and treatment centres for you to choose from, including NHS hospitals with private wings or independent private hospitals.

HCA Hospitals

HCA’s journey began in Nashville, USA, before they expanded to the UK in 1995. They focus on putting patients first, offering a wide range of services like private GP appointments, various therapies and advanced surgeries. With over 30 facilities in London and Manchester, along with satellite centres in Chiswick, Elstree, Marylebone and Chelsea, HCA ensures access to top-notch facilities and equipment. Their services cover everything from private GP consultations, screenings and physiotherapy to both inpatient/outpatient care, as well as complex surgeries. Collaborations with prestigious NHS institutions like Guy’s Cancer Centre and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, provide additional treatment options for patients. However, accessing HCA hospitals through private health insurance requires paying an extra premium.

Spire Healthcare

Spire Hospitals ranks as the UK’s second-largest healthcare group. They provide a comprehensive range of services, including private GP consultations, both inpatient and outpatient treatments, rehabilitation therapies, tests, scans, and medical screenings. Their expertise covers a broad spectrum of conditions, from basic ailments to complex interventions like cancer, heart and spinal procedures. With 39 hospitals and 8 clinics spread across the country, choosing Spire grants you access to their extensive network. They prioritise transparency in pricing, offering fixed-price packages and medical loans for convenient monthly payments. Importantly, even if you’re receiving NHS treatment, you can still access and receive care at a Spire hospital.

Nuffield Health

Nuffield Health is the UK’s largest healthcare provider, operating as a registered charity. Their primary aim is to promote and maintain public health and well-being, striving to prevent, alleviate and cure illness for the benefit of all. They achieve this through an extensive network comprising 37 hospitals, 114 fitness and well-being centres, medical facilities and workplace health amenities. Nuffield Health advocates for a holistic approach to healthcare, emphasising the importance of both physical and mental well-being. Their services include personal training, health assessments, GP consultations, physiotherapy, mental health support and hospital treatments for serious conditions. They collaborate with the NHS to support individuals in illness and injury prevention.

Circle Health Group

Circle Health Group boasts the UK’s largest national network of private hospitals, offering innovative neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation services alongside pathway management. Founded in 2004, Circle prioritises the patient experience, blending clinical excellence with personalised care. Through new hospital construction, acquisitions like Nations Healthcare and BMI Healthcare and strategic partnerships, Circle has expanded its footprint. Recognized as Private Hospital Group of the Year in 2022, they lead in patient-focused, technologically advanced healthcare, with 90% of UK adults living within 90 minutes of a Circle hospital.

Ramsay Health

Ramsay Health Care operates top-tier hospitals and health services spanning eight nations. Trusted by millions annually, they ensure safe, high-quality healthcare. Their modern facilities encompass hospitals, day surgeries, primary care clinics, mental health services, diagnostics, imaging centres and pharmacies. Ramsay also extends support beyond facilities, offering at-home and community-based services like cancer and cardiac care, allied health and rehabilitation. Their vision aims to lead the healthcare frontier, guided by the enduring mission of “people caring for people.”

Finding Hospitals Near You

When you need to find private hospitals nearby, you have a few options. Firstly, check out the NHS website, which has a tool for finding hospitals, both private and NHS-run, in your area. You can also visit private healthcare websites, where you can usually search for hospitals based on your location. Your GP can also help by giving you referrals to private hospitals nearby. If you have health insurance, your broker can tell you which hospitals are closest and covered by your policy when you sign up.

The final words

Private health insurance allows you to access private treatment quickly and conveniently. You choose a policy from many private healthcare providers and pay regular premiums. When you need treatment, you contact your insurer to make a claim. Depending on your policy, your insurer may cover treatments for various conditions, but pre-existing conditions might be excluded. Insurers may have their own hospitals or work with a network of private and NHS facilities. The claims process varies based on your medical history and type of coverage. Overall, private health insurance offers fast access to high-quality care without the hassle of searching for affordable options.

Choosing the Right Insurance Provider

When it comes to choosing the right health insurance provider for you, there are several key factors to consider. Here’s how you can ensure you’re making the best choice for your needs and budget:

Coverage Options

Look into the cover options offered by different insurers and consider what treatments and conditions matter most to you. Make sure the policy you choose aligns with your needs.

Premium

Compare the premium costs from all insurers and determine what you can comfortably afford to pay each month or year. Find a provider that offers competitive rates within your budget.

Hospital Network

Check out the network of hospitals, clinics and specialists that each insurer works with. Ensure they have a broad network that includes facilities convenient for you, whether they’re private or NHS.

Customer Service

Research the reputation of insurers for their customer service and claims process. Look for reviews from current customers to see how satisfied they are with the service they’ve received.

Exclusions and Limitations

Understand the exclusions and limitations of each policy, especially regarding pre-existing conditions and specific treatments. Be aware of any gaps in cover that could affect you.

Additional Benefits

Explore any extra benefits or perks offered, such as wellness programs or discounts on health-related products. These additional offerings can add value to your policy.

By considering these factors and doing your research, you can confidently choose a health insurance provider that’s right for you and your healthcare needs in the UK. Please check our expert reviews on the leading insurance providers in the UK here

The Role of Health Insurance Brokers

Health insurance brokers are incredibly helpful in finding the perfect policy, whether you’re new to insurance or thinking about changing providers. They give expert advice on sticking with your current insurer and bargaining for better renewal rates. Brokers explain the differences between inpatient and outpatient coverage and might suggest extra benefits insurers offer. They carefully check hospital networks to make sure you can easily access preferred facilities for smooth claims handling.

At PremierPMI, our advisors not only assist in finding the right private medical insurance policy in the UK but also offer full support throughout the entire process, including navigating the often tricky and tiring claims process. Whether you’re considering to go private UK, we ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience from start to finish.

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.

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