How Much Does It Cost to See a Private Consultant in the UK
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, WeCovr provides this expert guide on private consultant costs in the UK. Understanding these fees is the first step towards deciding if private medical insurance is the right choice for you and your family’s health.
WeCovr's guide to private consultation fees and how PMI can cover them
Waiting for a specialist appointment on the NHS can be a stressful experience. While our National Health Service is a national treasure, lengthy waiting lists for non-urgent care are a well-documented reality. This uncertainty leads many to ask: how much would it cost to simply pay to see a specialist privately?
This guide breaks down the costs of seeing a private consultant in the UK. We’ll explore the fees for initial consultations, follow-up appointments, and the diagnostic tests that often follow. Most importantly, we'll explain how a good private medical insurance (PMI) policy can cover these expenses, giving you fast access to expert care when you need it most.
Why Consider a Private Consultation in the UK?
The primary driver for seeking private healthcare is the desire for speed and choice. While the NHS aims to see patients for non-urgent consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks, the reality is often quite different.
According to recent NHS England statistics, the waiting list for elective care stands at over 7.5 million. For many, waiting months for a diagnosis or the start of treatment isn’t just an inconvenience; it can cause prolonged anxiety and impact their quality of life, work, and family.
Going private offers several key advantages:
- Speed: You can often see a specialist within days or weeks, rather than months. This accelerates the entire process, from diagnosis to treatment.
- Choice: You have the freedom to choose your consultant based on their reputation, speciality, and experience. You can also select the hospital and a time for your appointment that fits your schedule.
- Peace of Mind: A swift diagnosis can alleviate the stress and worry of the unknown, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- Comfort: Private hospitals typically offer a more comfortable environment, with private en-suite rooms, better food choices, and more flexible visiting hours.
What is a Private Consultant and What Do They Do?
In the UK healthcare system, a General Practitioner (GP) is your first point of contact for most health concerns. They are experts in general medicine. A consultant, on the other hand, is a senior doctor who has completed many years of advanced, specialist training in a particular field of medicine.
Think of your GP as the gatekeeper to specialised care. If you have a problem that requires expert knowledge—like a persistent heart palpitation, a worrying skin mole, or a painful knee injury—your GP will refer you to a consultant.
Common consultant specialities include:
- Cardiology: Deals with the heart and blood vessels.
- Dermatology: Focuses on skin conditions.
- Orthopaedics: Manages bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles.
- Gastroenterology: Specialises in the digestive system.
- Oncology: Treats cancer.
- Gynaecology: Focuses on female reproductive health.
- Neurology: Deals with the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.
A consultant's job is to diagnose your condition, recommend and oversee diagnostic tests, and create a treatment plan. This plan might involve medication, physiotherapy, or surgery.
The Core Question: How Much Does a Private Consultation Cost?
If you decide to pay for a private consultation yourself (known as 'self-pay'), the cost can vary significantly. The final price depends on the consultant’s speciality, their experience, and, most notably, your location.
Initial and Follow-Up Consultation Fees
-
Initial Consultation: This is your first meeting with the specialist. It's usually the longest appointment, as the consultant will take a detailed medical history, perform an examination, and discuss potential next steps.
- Typical Cost: Expect to pay between £180 and £350 for an initial consultation. For highly sought-after specialists in London, this can exceed £400.
-
Follow-Up Consultation: If you need to see the consultant again to discuss test results or review your progress, this appointment is typically shorter and therefore costs less.
- Typical Cost: A follow-up consultation usually costs between £130 and £250.
To give you a clearer picture, here are some estimated self-pay costs for an initial consultation across different specialities.
| Speciality | Typical Initial Consultation Fee (UK Average) | Typical Initial Consultation Fee (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatology | £200 - £280 | £250 - £350+ |
| Orthopaedics | £220 - £300 | £280 - £400+ |
| Cardiology | £250 - £320 | £300 - £450+ |
| Gastroenterology | £230 - £300 | £280 - £380+ |
| Gynaecology | £200 - £280 | £250 - £350+ |
| ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) | £200 - £270 | £240 - £320+ |
Disclaimer: These figures are estimates based on 2024/2025 market rates and can vary. Always confirm the exact fee when booking your appointment.
Beyond the Consultation: Unpacking Additional Private Healthcare Costs
The consultation fee is just the starting point. The true cost of private treatment emerges when you factor in the diagnostic tests and procedures that your consultant is likely to recommend. These costs are billed separately and can quickly add up.
Diagnostic Tests & Scans
Your consultant will almost certainly need more information to make an accurate diagnosis. This is where diagnostic tests come in.
- Blood Tests: A simple blood test panel might cost around £100 - £300, but more complex or extensive tests can run to £500 or more.
- Imaging Scans: This is where costs can escalate significantly. Scans provide a detailed look inside your body.
Here's a table of typical self-pay prices for common scans:
| Type of Scan | What It's Used For | Typical Private Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| MRI Scan | Detailed images of soft tissues (joints, brain, spine) | £350 - £1,500+ |
| CT Scan | Cross-sectional images (chest, abdomen, head) | £500 - £900+ |
| Ultrasound Scan | Uses sound waves to see organs (abdomen, pelvis, pregnancy) | £250 - £500+ |
| X-ray | Images of bones and some tissues (fractures, chest infections) | £100 - £250+ |
Minor Procedures and Surgery
If your consultant recommends treatment, you'll face further costs:
- Minor Procedures: Things like a joint injection, mole removal, or a biopsy performed during the out-patient visit can add £150 - £600+ to your bill.
- Surgery: The cost of surgery includes several components:
- Surgeon's Fee: The consultant's fee for performing the operation.
- Anaesthetist's Fee: A separate charge from the anaesthetist.
- Hospital Fee: This is the largest component, covering the use of the operating theatre, nursing staff, medication, and your overnight stay in a private room.
Real-Life Example: The Cost of a Private Knee Injury Diagnosis & Treatment
Let’s imagine a patient, David, a 45-year-old from Manchester who has injured his knee while playing football. He decides to go private to avoid a long NHS wait.
- GP Visit & Referral: David gets an open referral from his NHS GP.
- Private Orthopaedic Consultation: He sees a knee specialist. Cost: £280
- MRI Scan: The consultant recommends an MRI to check for ligament damage. Cost: £450
- Follow-up Consultation: David returns to discuss the MRI results, which show a torn meniscus. Cost: £180
- Knee Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery): The consultant recommends surgery. The all-inclusive 'package price' from the private hospital is £4,200.
- Post-Op Physiotherapy: He needs a course of six physiotherapy sessions. Cost: £360 (£60 per session).
Total Self-Pay Cost: £5,470
This example clearly shows how an initial £280 consultation can lead to a total bill of over £5,000. This is precisely the scenario where private medical insurance becomes invaluable.
How Private Medical Insurance (PMI) Covers These Costs
Private medical insurance is a policy you pay for monthly or annually. In return, the insurer covers the costs of private healthcare for new, acute conditions that arise after your policy begins.
The Most Important Rule: PMI Doesn't Cover Chronic or Pre-Existing Conditions
This is the single most critical point to understand about private medical insurance in the UK. Standard policies are designed for short-term, curable conditions, not for long-term management of incurable illnesses.
- Acute Condition: An illness, injury, or disease that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include cataracts, hip replacements, hernia repair, and diagnosing the cause of specific symptoms.
- Chronic Condition: A condition that is long-lasting, has no known cure, and requires ongoing management. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and Crohn's disease. Once a condition is diagnosed as chronic, PMI will typically cease to cover it, and its management will revert to the NHS.
- Pre-existing Condition: Any illness, disease, or injury for which you have had symptoms, medication, or advice in the years before taking out your policy (usually the last 5 years). These are excluded from cover, at least initially.
How the PMI Process Works for a Consultation
If you have a PMI policy, the journey to see a consultant is straightforward and you don't have to worry about the bills.
- Visit Your GP: You still need to see your GP first. They will assess you and provide a referral letter if they agree you need to see a specialist. This is a requirement for almost all UK insurers.
- Contact Your Insurer: You call your insurance provider's claims line. You'll explain your symptoms and provide your GP referral details.
- Get Authorisation: The insurer will check your policy and, if the condition is covered, they will authorise the claim. They will provide you with an authorisation code and often a list of approved specialists and hospitals you can use.
- Book Your Appointment: You book directly with the consultant's private secretary, providing your authorisation code.
- Billing is Handled Directly: After your consultation and any tests, the consultant and hospital bill your insurer directly. You don't have to handle any payments, apart from any excess on your policy.
Understanding Out-Patient Cover
The key part of your policy that covers consultations and diagnostic tests is 'out-patient cover'.
- In-patient/Day-patient Care: This is treatment that requires a hospital bed, either overnight (in-patient) or for the day (day-patient, like a minor surgery). This is included as standard in all PMI policies.
- Out-patient Care: This is for treatment where you don't need a hospital bed. This includes consultations, diagnostic tests, and physiotherapy.
Out-patient cover is often an optional extra or comes with different limits. A basic policy might not cover it at all, while a comprehensive policy will. Common out-patient limits are:
- £500 per year
- £1,000 per year
- £1,500 per year
- Fully comprehensive (unlimited)
If you have a £1,000 out-patient limit, your policy would easily cover David's initial consultation (£280), MRI scan (£450), and follow-up (£180) from our example, with money to spare.
Choosing the Right Private Health Cover for You
With so many providers and policy options, the market can feel confusing. Working with an expert PMI broker like WeCovr can simplify the process, ensuring you get the right cover at a competitive price.
Here are the key factors that determine the right policy and its cost:
| Factor | How It Affects Your Policy and Premium |
|---|---|
| Level of Cover | Comprehensive: Covers everything, including full out-patient care. Highest premium. Mid-Range: May have limits on out-patient cover (e.g., £1,000) or use a 'guided' list of consultants. Basic: Mainly covers in-patient care only, often with a "6-week wait" clause (you only get private treatment if the NHS wait is longer than 6 weeks). Lowest premium. |
| Excess | The amount you agree to pay towards the first claim each year (e.g., £100, £250, £500). A higher excess significantly lowers your monthly premium. |
| Hospital List | Insurers have different lists of hospitals you can use. A policy with a nationwide list including central London hospitals is the most expensive. A local or regional list is cheaper. |
| Your Age | Premiums increase with age as the risk of needing treatment grows. |
| Your Location | Your postcode affects the price, as private healthcare costs vary across the country. London and the South East are the most expensive areas. |
| Underwriting | Moratorium: The insurer automatically excludes conditions you've had in the last 5 years. If you then go 2 full years without symptoms, advice, or treatment for that condition, it may become eligible for cover. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You declare your full medical history upfront. The insurer then states exactly what is and isn't covered from the start. |
Using an independent broker is crucial. WeCovr's expert advisors can compare policies from all the leading UK private health cover providers, explain the small print, and tailor a recommendation to your specific budget and needs—all at no cost to you.
WeCovr Member Benefits: More Than Just Insurance
We believe in proactive health management, not just reactive treatment. That's why we offer our members exclusive benefits to support a healthy lifestyle.
- Complimentary Access to CalorieHero: All WeCovr members get free premium access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. Maintaining a healthy weight and balanced diet is one of the best ways to reduce your long-term health risks.
- Multi-Policy Discounts: When you take out a private medical insurance or life insurance policy with us, you can unlock discounts on other types of cover you might need, such as income protection or critical illness cover, helping you protect your family's finances more affordably.
Our commitment to customer value is reflected in our consistently high satisfaction ratings on major customer review platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a GP referral to see a private consultant with PMI?
Will my private medical insurance premium go up if I make a claim?
Can I get private health cover for a condition I already have?
What's the difference between moratorium and full medical underwriting?
The cost of seeing a private consultant can seem daunting, but it opens the door to fast, high-quality healthcare. For many, private medical insurance is the most affordable and sensible way to access this care without facing unpredictable and potentially huge bills.
Ready to take control of your health? Get a free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today. Our friendly, expert advisors will help you navigate the market and find the perfect private medical insurance UK policy for your needs and budget.
Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:
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