Private health clinics are a great option for those looking to get faster access to healthcare and have more control over their treatment.
We’re exploring everything you need to know about private health clinics and how to access them.
A private health clinic is a medical facility that operates independently to the NHS and you’ll either need to self-pay for it or have it covered by a private health insurance policy. They usually offer more specialised services.
A private health clinic will typically offer:
They offer consultant-led care, focusing on personalised treatment.
There are many benefits of going to a private health clinic, including:
Private health clinics differ to private hospitals, primarily in the range and nature of services they provide.
Private hospitals typically offer comprehensive care, including inpatient services such as overnight stays and complex surgical procedures.
In contrast, private health clinics focus on outpatient care, providing services like GP appointments, diagnostic tests, and specialist consultations.
The key differences are in the scope, hospitals cater to a broader spectrum of medical needs, while clinics are more specialised and generally smaller. Hospitals are equipped for inpatient care and clinics primarily serve outpatient requirements.
There are several different ways you can get access to private health clinics. You’ll usually need to self-pay for your treatment, or you can use your health insurance plan if you have one in place.
To get booked into a health clinic, you'll use one of the following options:
If you have a health insurance policy, your visit to the private health clinic will typically be covered, as long as the treatment needed is included in your policy.
You’ll need to get authorisation from your private health insurer to confirm the treatment is covered before you go ahead with it, to avoid any unexpected bills.
If you choose to self-pay, once you have a referral you can go ahead and book your appointment. You’d need to pay for the whole course of treatment and any extra services you use.
Health insurance in the UK plays a key role in helping people access private health clinics by offering faster, more flexible, and more personalised healthcare options compared to the NHS.
Health insurance can help you to access private health clinics by covering you for treatment needed there, if it’s included on your policy.
Unlike the NHS, where you're typically assigned a consultant, private insurance lets you select your specialist based on experience, reviews and preference.
If it’s covered on your health insurance policy, you won't have to self-pay or pay out of pocket for your treatment. This can be beneficial in helping you manage large, unexpected bills.
Paying your premium monthly for your health insurance can make healthcare costs easier to manage.
You can still use your NHS GP for routine care and referrals, while relying on private medical insurance for faster or more specialised treatment.
Many people combine the NHS and private healthcare using each system where it’s most effective.
Obtaining health insurance can be simple if you know where to get started. Using a free health insurance comparison service like Usay Compare, can mean getting the best policy for your needs at the best price.
Usay Compare can:
Our experienced advisers are here to guide you through every step of the process. Here's what a typical consultation looks like:
If you're ready to find a health insurance policy, or you're looking to see if you can save by switching, get in touch for a free consultation.
Fill out the form below to get a quote or give us a call on: 01285 864670.