Paying for Private Healthcare in the UK: Everything You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by St John & St Elizabeth Hospital clinical team. Last updated June 2026.

Paying for private healthcare can feel like unfamiliar territory, particularly if you have relied on the NHS throughout your life. Questions about cost, insurance, and how the whole process works are entirely natural, and the good news is that it is more straightforward than many people expect.

Whether you have private medical insurance through your employer or a personal policy, or you are planning to fund treatment yourself, this guide explains how private healthcare payments work in the UK, what to expect at each stage, and how to make the right choice for your circumstances.

The two ways to pay for private treatment

When it comes to paying for private medical treatment in the UK, there are two main routes: using private medical insurance or paying for yourself as a self-pay patient. Both give you fast access to consultant-led care, with no NHS waiting lists. The right option depends on your circumstances, your policy (if you have one), and the treatment you need.

Paying for yourself: how self-pay healthcare works

Self-pay healthcare, sometimes called self-fund or private self-pay, means you pay directly for your treatment without going through an insurance provider. It is a popular choice for patients who do not have health insurance, whose policy does not cover a particular procedure, or who simply prefer the flexibility and speed it offers.

A common misconception is that you need private medical insurance to access private hospitals. You do not. Self-pay patients can access the full range of treatments and services at most private hospitals, from an initial consultation through to surgery, tests, scans and follow-up care.

What does the self-pay process look like?

The process varies slightly between hospitals, but this is how it typically works:

• Contact the hospital by phone or email. The team will explain available treatments, provide information on consultants and appointment times, and can give you a written guide price for a specific procedure if you already know what you need.
• Arrange a consultation. Private hospitals generally have short or no waiting lists, and you can often see a consultant within 24 hours. Initial consultation fees vary depending on the consultant and the hospital; always confirm the fee before you book. You usually pay this directly to the consultant’s secretary, either before or after your appointment.
• Your consultant may recommend further tests, scans or treatment. These can sometimes be arranged the same day. It is worth noting that scans and tests carried out during your consultation incur additional charges, separate from the consultation fee.
• Once a treatment has been recommended, the hospital will provide a quote. This typically covers everything from your pre-admission assessment through to your post-operative follow-up and any physiotherapy required. Your final price may not be confirmed until after your pre-admission assessment, which can identify additional clinical needs that affect the cost.
• Payment is usually required in advance. Most private hospitals ask for cleared funds a few days before admission. Common payment methods include cheque, online bank transfer and credit or debit card.

Some services, such as physiotherapy and private GP appointments, can often be booked without a GP referral. For most other treatments and diagnostic tests, you will need a referral from your GP or another medical professional.

Using private medical insurance to pay for treatment

If you have a private health insurance policy, either arranged through your employer or taken out personally, you may be able to use it to cover the cost of your private medical treatment. Depending on your level of cover, private medical insurance can pay for your initial consultation, any diagnostic tests or scans, surgery and inpatient stays, and aftercare such as physiotherapy.

It is important to understand that not all private health insurance plans are the same. Coverage, limits, and excesses vary considerably between insurers and between individual policies. Many policies also include health assessments and preventative care; it is worth checking whether yours does. Before booking any appointment, always contact your insurer directly to confirm what you are covered for, understand any financial risk from excess payments or coverage gaps, and check whether the treatment you need requires prior authorisation. Your card details and personal information are held securely and protected at all times.

How to use your health insurance at a private hospital

Most private hospitals are approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you plan to use your insurance, the process generally runs as follows:

• Obtain a GP referral. Most insurers require a referral from your GP or another health professional before they will authorise a claim. Some policies allow self-referral for treatments such as physiotherapy; always check with your insurer first.
• Contact your insurance company before booking. Let your insurer know about the planned appointment and confirm that your chosen hospital and consultant are covered under your policy. This is also the time to clarify any excess payments or policy limits that apply.
• Book your appointment. When you contact the hospital, give them your insurance details. The team will provide the information your insurer needs to issue an authorisation code.
• Obtain your authorisation code. Your insurer will issue this once they have approved your treatment. You will need to bring the code to your appointment or share it with the hospital in advance.
• On arrival, you will typically be asked to register and provide a credit or debit card. This covers any excess or shortfall your insurer is not liable to pay. You will be notified before any charge is made.

If you have any difficulty dealing with your insurer, many hospitals can liaise with them on your behalf in some circumstances. It is always worth asking.

What affects the cost of private healthcare?

Private healthcare prices vary depending on several factors. Understanding these can help you plan your treatment and budget accurately.

• The type of treatment or procedure. A straightforward outpatient consultation costs considerably less than a complex inpatient procedure requiring a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay.
• Your consultant’s fees. Consultants set their own fees independently of the hospital. The hospital charges separately for use of its facilities, nursing staff, and equipment.
• Diagnostic tests and scans. Any additional tests or scans ordered by your consultant during your appointment will incur separate charges. HJE’s contact centre team will confirm these costs before your appointment, where possible.
• Anaesthetist fees. For procedures requiring anaesthesia, the anaesthetist charges separately. This is standard practice across private hospitals in the UK.
• Medication. Any medication prescribed as part of your treatment may be charged in addition to the quoted procedure price.
• Follow-up consultations. Post-operative appointments are typically included in your quoted price for inpatient procedures. Any additional follow-up appointments beyond those included are usually charged at the consultant’s standard follow-up fee.
• Physiotherapy. For certain procedures, such as hip or knee replacement surgery, physiotherapy sessions over several weeks are recommended and will be included in the quoted price.
• Complications. If unexpected clinical complications arise during or after your procedure, additional costs may be incurred. HJE will communicate any changes to your quoted price in writing.

It is worth noting that reputable private hospitals provide transparent guide prices and will confirm costs with you in writing before treatment proceeds. If your pre-admission assessment identifies any additional clinical needs, you should receive a revised guide price before your admission date.

Private vs NHS: Is private healthcare worth it?

Choosing between NHS and private treatment is a personal decision, and the right choice depends on your individual circumstances, the treatment you need, and how quickly you need access to care.

The NHS provides great care, and for many conditions it remains the right first choice. Where private treatment tends to make a difference is in the speed of access, choice of specialist, and the overall experience.

NHS waiting lists for some procedures can run to many months. As a private patient, you can often see a consultant within 24 hours and proceed to treatment far more quickly. You also have a greater choice of consultants and appointment times, and you can access tests and scans on the same day in many cases.

For patients without private health insurance, cost can feel like a barrier. It is worth knowing that many procedures are more affordable than people assume, and a single specialist consultation can sometimes resolve an issue without the need for further treatment. Paying for a private initial consultation is a common route for patients who want fast access to a diagnosis or second opinion, without committing to ongoing private care.

What payment methods do private hospitals accept?

Most private hospitals accept a range of payment methods. These typically include:

• Online bank transfer
• Credit or debit card
• Cheque
• Secure online payment portals

Payment for inpatient procedures is usually required a few days before admission, so it is worth confirming the exact timeline with your hospital at the time of booking.

For insured patients, your insurance provider typically pays the hospital directly for covered costs. Any excess or shortfall is collected separately, usually via the card you register on arrival.

Embassy and third-party funding

Some private hospitals also accept referrals and payment from embassies and third parties. If you are seeking treatment funded by an embassy or another organisation, contact the hospital’s billing team directly to confirm what arrangements are available.

Where your money goes

When you pay for private healthcare, your fees typically cover the cost of consultant and specialist care, nursing, hospital facilities, equipment and administrative services. Some private hospitals are also charitable organisations, meaning your treatment fees contribute directly to wider community benefit.

St John & St Elizabeth Hospital in London is one example. Every treatment carried out at HJE helps to fund St John’s Hospice, the hospital’s on-site hospice providing palliative and respite care to more than 4,000 patients and their families every year, free of charge.

Paying for private healthcare at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

If you are looking for private healthcare in London, St John & St Elizabeth Hospital (HJE) in St John’s Wood (NW8) accepts both self-pay and insured patients and is approved by all major health insurers. The hospital offers over 200 treatments and services, with consultant-led care, on-site imaging and facilities for day-case and inpatient surgery all under one roof.

To find out more or to get a guide price for a specific procedure, contact the team:

• Enquiries: 020 7806 4000
• Appointments & Bookings: 020 7806 4060
• Payments and billing: 020 7806 4058
• Book online