Paying for Private Healthcare

Paying for private healthcare

Private healthcare can be paid for in two main ways: self-pay (paying for your treatment yourself) or through private health insurance (where your insurer covers some or all costs). 

At Welbeck, we accept both payment types, and our team is here to guide you through what to expect and the steps to take before your appointment.

Paying for your care at Welbeck

At Welbeck, we aim to make paying for private healthcare as clear and straightforward as possible. 

To achieve this, we provide:

• transparent, upfront pricing

• support from our bookings team

• clear communication at every stage of your treatment

When is payment required?

For self-paying patients, payment for any consultations, diagnostics, procedures, and treatments is required upfront. 

If you have a health insurance policy, you’ll need to provide us with a pre-authorisation code before any service can be provided. 

Self-pay for private healthcare

Self-pay means you cover the cost of your appointments, tests, and treatments yourself. It offers speed, flexibility, and full visibility of fees. If you choose to self-pay, in most cases, you won’t require a referral to book a consultation.

Learn more about how to access private healthcare in our helpful guide. 

Step-by-step guide to self-pay

1. Book your consultation – initial fees range, depending on the consultant or specialist you’re seeing.

2. Receive your estimate – this will outline the cost of recommended tests, scans, and treatment.

3. Pay securely – payment is made before your appointment or procedure.

4. Attend your consultation or treatment – with no delays waiting for insurer approval.

5. Receive receipts – for your personal records.

The benefits of self-pay

If you choose to pay for your care, you can expect:

• no need for insurer approval

• no restrictions or exclusions

• rapid access to appointments and treatment

• transparent pricing

• choice over your consultant, appointment times, and location

Paying through private health insurance

Private health insurance covers part or all of the cost of private care, depending on your provider and level of cover. Welbeck works with all major UK insurers and can help you confirm eligibility.

Before your appointment

If you plan to use insurance to pay for your care at Welbeck, you’ll need to:

1. Contact your insurer to confirm your condition is covered.

2. Ask your insurer for a pre-authorisation number for your consultation, tests, or treatment.

3. Check your policy details, including any excess or benefit limits.

4. Share your pre-authorisation code with the Welbeck bookings team so we can collect payment.

5. Pay any excess directly to Welbeck.

What’s typically covered by health insurance?

What’s covered by health insurance varies widely depending on both the insurer and the policy you have, so it’s important to check before booking. In most cases, private health insurance will cover:

• initial and follow-up consultations

• most diagnostic scans, blood tests, and assessments

• most day-case and outpatient procedures

Depending on your insurer, there may be restrictions on:

• which consultants you can see

• which hospitals or clinics you can use

• the level of outpatient cover 

Common exclusions

It’s important to always confirm any exclusions in your cover directly with your insurer. Typical exclusions include:

• GP appointments and prescriptions

• cosmetic or aesthetic procedures

• care for pre-existing conditions

• certain diagnostic tests and procedures

• emergency admissions or urgent care

• continuation of any treatment started before your policy was active

Understanding your bill

We aim to make your bill easy to understand. If you’re self-paying, you’ll receive:

• itemised invoices showing consultant, facility, and diagnostic charges

• full explanations of all fees before payment

• itemised receipts detailing all costs and payments made

If you’re using insurance to pay for your care, we’ll liaise directly with your insurer to reduce paperwork and hassle. We can provide receipts and cost breakdowns if requested, and your provider may also provide you with a record of payment. 

Support from the Welbeck team

At any stage of your healthcare journey, our experienced bookings team is here to help with:

• providing indicative costs for consultations, tests, and treatments

• confirming insurance eligibility

• guiding you through self-pay or insured payment arrangements

• answering billing question

Get in touch to speak with our bookings team.

Which payment method is right for you?

The right payment method depends on your unique circumstances and personal preferences.

Self-pay may be the right option for you if you want quick access, clear pricing, or do not have insurance. However, it’s important to consider that private healthcare can be costly.

Insurance may be better if you have a policy that covers the care you need, and you want help with managing the costs.

Our team can walk you through both options so you can make the right choice.