Svetlana
Your clear and simple guide to funding private orthopaedic treatment
Choosing private healthcare for hip, knee, hand, shoulder or specialist orthopaedic treatment gives you faster access to diagnosis, imaging, and surgery: more control over your care. But for many people, one of the biggest questions is how to fund their treatment.
This guide explains the difference between private medical insurance and self-pay, what each option covers, typical costs, and how our Patient Support Team can support you through every stage of the process.
Private Medical Insurance: How It Works
If you have private medical insurance (PMI), there’s a good chance it will cover orthopaedic consultations, scans and surgery.
What Insurance Usually Covers
Most policies typically include:
- Consultant appointments
- MRI, ultrasound and X-ray imaging
- Day-case or inpatient surgery
- Surgical and anaesthetic fees
- Hospital and theatre costs
Coverage does however vary depending on your insurer and policy.
GP Referral
Some insurers require a GP referral whilst others accept self-referral.
Our Patient Support Team can help you check.
Excess Payments
Many insurance plans also include an excess that will be paid to your insurer directly. This is often in the region of £100–£500, so it is worth checking before treatment!
Pre-Authorisation
Your insurer will issue a pre-authorisation code, confirming your cover and you will need this before booking surgery. Our team can assist with this quickly.
For general guidance on how private medical insurance works, the Association of British Insurers (ABI)1offers a clear overview.
Self-Pay Treatment: Simple, Transparent and Fast
If you don’t have insurance — or don’t want to use it — self-paying for treatment gives you straightforward access to specialist care without waiting times.
Many patients choose self-pay because it offers:
- Rapid access (our typical turnaround from first enquiry to treatment is ~2 weeks)
- Clear, fixed prices
- Choice of consultant and appointment times
- No delays from insurer approvals
What’s Included in Self-Pay Packages?
Most self-pay packages include:
- Consultant fees
- Surgical & anaesthetic costs
- Hospital & theatre fees
- Pre-operative assessment
- Post-operative review and care
You will always receive a full, fixed-price quote before treatment.
How Much Does Self-Pay Surgery Cost?
Costs vary by procedure and implant choice, but most orthopaedic surgeries fall into these ranges:
- Minor procedures: £2,000–£3,000
- Intermediate procedures: £3,000–£10,000
- Major procedures: £10,000–£20,000+
For full details and inclusions, visit our Pricing Information page
Which Option Is Right for Me?
Choosing between insurance and self-pay depends on:
- How quickly you want treatment
- Whether your insurer covers the condition
- Your policy excess
- Your preference for flexibility and clarity on cost
Some insured patients still choose self-pay for smaller procedures to avoid delays or keep premiums unaffected.
Here’s an overview to help:
|
Feature |
Private Medical Insurance |
Self-Pay |
|
Speed of Access |
Depends on insurer approvals; can be fast once authorised |
Fastest option (usually ~2 weeks from first enquiry to treatment) |
|
Upfront Costs |
Excess and policy limits may apply |
Fixed, transparent price agreed upfront |
|
Choice of Consultant |
Limited to consultants recognised by your insurer |
Full freedom to choose your consultant and surgeon |
|
What’s Covered |
Varies by policy (consultations, scans, surgery often included) |
All-inclusive package: consultant, surgery, theatre, anaesthetic, aftercare |
|
GP Referral Needed? |
Sometimes required |
Not required (but can be helpful) |
|
Impact on Premiums |
Using insurance may affect future premiums |
No impact (private transaction) |
|
Flexibility |
Subject to insurer rules and authorisation processes |
Maximum flexibility: you choose your timings and pathway |
|
Ideal For |
Patients with good cover who prefer using insurance |
Patients wanting certainty, speed, and full control |
Which Option Is Right for Me?
Choosing between insurance and self-pay depends on:
- How quickly you want treatment
- Whether your insurer covers the condition
- Your policy excess
- Your preference for flexibility and clarity on cost
Some insured patients still choose self-pay for smaller procedures to avoid delays or keep premiums unaffected.
Here’s an overview to help:
|
Feature |
Private Medical Insurance |
Self-Pay |
|
Speed of Access |
Depends on insurer approvals; can be fast once authorised |
Fastest option (usually ~2 weeks from first enquiry to treatment) |
|
Upfront Costs |
Excess and policy limits may apply |
Fixed, transparent price agreed upfront |
|
Choice of Consultant |
Limited to consultants recognised by your insurer |
Full freedom to choose your consultant and surgeon |
|
What’s Covered |
Varies by policy (consultations, scans, surgery often included) |
All-inclusive package: consultant, surgery, theatre, anaesthetic, aftercare |
|
GP Referral Needed? |
Sometimes required |
Not required (but can be helpful) |
|
Impact on Premiums |
Using insurance may affect future premiums |
No impact (private transaction) |
|
Flexibility |
Subject to insurer rules and authorisation processes |
Maximum flexibility: you choose your timings and pathway |
|
Ideal For |
Patients with good cover who prefer using insurance |
Patients wanting certainty, speed, and full control |
How Our Patient Support Team Helps You
From your first enquiry, you’ll have a dedicated contact who can:
- Clarify costs
- Confirm your insurance cover
- Request pre-authorisation
- Provide fixed-price quotes
- Arrange scans, consultations and surgery
- Support your recovery journey
We’re here to make everything simple, clear and stress-free.
What Do Our Patients Say?
One recent patient, Svetlana, shared her experience of coming to us for a hip replacement after finding us on Instagram.
Her journey reflects what many patients value most: fast access, excellent communication, and a caring team that guides you from first enquiry to full recovery.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Whether you’re insured or self-pay, we’re here to make the process easy, transparent and tailored to your needs.
If you’d like personalised advice, Speak to our team or book an appointment today
1https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/health-insurance/
