If you have always been dependent on the NHS for your health issues, consider reading this blog until the end. The following article highlights on the benefits of obtaining private GP services and clarifies your doubts regarding the cost factors. It is hoped that by the time you reach conclusion, you will turn into a fan of private medicals!
- Research the locally available private healthcare providers– Check out for hospitals, and nearby clinics that cater well to your health requirements. Additionally, find out what they charge, the duration of waiting times and most importantly, what the previous patients said about their services.
- Confirm an initial consultation – Book your slot with a private consultant or practitioner. He will guide you on whether to take additional tests or diagnostic procedures for your condition. During the consultation, you must clarify any doubt that you may have.
- Obtain your treatment plan– After diagnosis, your specialist will discuss the recommended treatment plan for you. This will purely be based on your unique requirements and not a generalised one.
- Choose your payment option – If you have private health insurance, then it is well and good. Otherwise, you need to pay out of your pockets. Thus, it is better to inquire in advance about the available payment options.
You have the freedom to choose for yourself
Whether you go for the NHS or private healthcare, the GP will first investigate your underlying cause. After that, a range of diagnostic tests will be suggested to get a better and detailed analysis of your issue. In case, you are diagnosed with a complex condition, you will be subsequently referred to a specialist. However, in the NHS, the waiting times are greater than that of private systems. In worst scenarios, such as during the COVID, each person had to wait for an average of 18 weeks! So, the choice is up to you.
Private treatment vs. the NHS: Explained
In private healthcare systems, you can obtain greater choices than the NHS and have complete freedom in having treatments. Moreover, you can check reliable medical databases, such as, Doctify to collect patient reviews and testimonials before visiting one. This aids in making well-informed decisions about their health. Additionally, many private medical centres offer sophisticated and advanced medicines that are generally not available in the NHS.
How do I pay for private healthcare?
There are three different methods to pay for private healthcare in South Kensington. They are as follows:
1. Private medical insurance
Private medical insurance facilitates monthly payment through premium policies. Such an approach is highly suitable for medical conditions that have not been treated in the last five years. Certain health insurance policies may also require you to submit medical history details or make a claim. However, if you seek for an immediate treatment without having any current health insurance, you will need to look for the option below.
2. Self-pay
This is applicable when you do not possess any health insurance or suffer from an issue that insurance does not cover. Most GPs will provide you a fixed price quote for your opted treatment. This generally includes your initial consultation, specialist treatment procedures, follow-ups, and recommended medicines. But, if you are comparing quotes, check properly that the shortlisted clinics offer the same facilities. Thus, the pay-out-of-pocket facility allows you the freedom to switch to another provider if you are dissatisfied with the previous one.
3. Personal medical loan
If you are incapable of obtaining private healthcare through medical insurance, or lack liquid funds, personal medical loans come to help. The majority of private hospitals in the UK provide financing through a third-party lender. Thus, it’s essential to examine the conditions of every loan and the overall expense before deciding upon one. The best is to confirm whether the opted finance company is regulated by the financial conduct authority. You are thus free to pursue a standard loan if the conditions turn out to be more favourable with an overall reduction in the total expenses.
How to get private treatment without health insurance?
Here’s a step-by-step approach to obtaining private treatment without having health insurance.
- First, talk to your NHS GP or a private GP
Regardless of having a health insurance or not, you must visit your GP. He may refer to a specialist if you require further treatment, depending on the current conditions. Some GPs may also charge you to write a referral letter, so you must be prepared for that.
- Go for an outpatient appointment with a consultant
Next, you need to have an outpatient appointment with your opted consultant. This may include face-to-face, over the phone or video calling appointments. If you are in need of specific diagnostic tests or scans, those will be performed separately. On an average, you need to pay an amount of £150 or £250 for such appointments.
- Obtain a fixed price quote from the chosen hospital
The majority of private hospitals should be able to provide you with a set price estimate that includes all elements of your care. It will cover the expenses of private surgery, anaesthetist charges, nursing fees, and the cost of your hospital stay if you’re unable to return home on the same day. We suggest that it is always valuable to conduct research to compare what various providers offer and what is encompassed in your quote.
- Find out if your condition is treatable by a NHS doctor
Numerous private healthcare providers have contracts with the NHS and perform treatments in NHS facilities. You can inquire with your consultant whether they can perform your treatment in an NHS facility as a private patient. Similarly, NHS hospitals provide access on a private basis, with some guaranteeing that private fees are reinvested into care for NHS patients. This could be a more affordable choice than undergoing treatment in a private clinic.
- Book your surgery slot
If the estimate exceeds your expectations, or if you choose not to proceed after your consultation, you can stop there and go back to the NHS. If you are pleased to proceed, your surgery date will be arranged. Based on your healthcare provider’s payment policies, you may need to pay the full or partial cost prior to being admitted for treatment. If you’ve chosen to pay monthly through a loan, your finance provider will handle the payment for you. You will receive guidance on what to expect on the surgery day and have the admission process clarified. These steps may involve pre-surgery blood tests or medications that will enhance the likelihood of success for your procedure.
- Post-surgery follow-ups
After your surgery has been completed, the concerned specialist will track down your recovery rate. You can also expect a follow-up appointment to ensure that the treatment has become successful. In case your treatment package includes rehabilitation follow-ups, that will be even better.
- Have a sufficient budget for overhead costs
Your recovery process is a crucial component of your therapy. It may assist you in attaining a complete recovery, especially if you have undergone treatment for a serious illness. Your consultant may have informed you regarding any post-surgery care you may require. This might encompass physiotherapy or various rehabilitation methods. If you choose not to have this at the private hospital, maybe due to the location being inconvenient for frequent visits, you must ensure that you organise this independently. It’s advisable to talk about your choices with your GP, but be prepared to allocate extra funds for organising these services privately.
Conclusion
Many private GPs in South Kensington offer fixed prices for treatment procedures. Thus, worry not if you have been facing persistent health troubles. Compare your locally available private clinics and book your consultation at your earliest convenience.
