Fees & insurance

Self-pay consultation fees

Investigations such as blood tests, semen analysis, ultrasound and cystoscopy are charged separately by the hospital, and you will be told the cost before anything is arranged.

Insured patients

Both clinics are HCA Healthcare UK outpatient centres and recognise all major UK and international private medical insurers. Before your first appointment you will need to:

• Obtain a referral letter from your GP or another consultant, which most insurers require
• Contact your insurer and obtain a pre-authorisation or claim code
• Check whether your policy carries an excess, and whether outpatient investigations are covered
• Bring your membership number and authorisation code to the appointment

Please be aware that some policies limit cover for fertility investigation and treatment. It is worth checking this specifically if you are being seen for male infertility, as the rules differ from general urology cover.

Self-funding patients

You do not need a GP referral to book privately. You will receive a clear written quotation before any investigation or procedure, and surgical quotations set out the surgeon's fee, the anaesthetist's fee and the hospital charges separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Surgical costs

The cost of an operation depends on the procedure, the length of stay and the hospital. Once a surgical plan has been agreed at consultation, my PA will arrange a full written quotation. For insured patients, a procedure code is provided so that you can obtain authorisation before the date is confirmed.

What the consultation fee includes

Your consultation fee covers the appointment itself, a full history and examination, discussion of your results and options, and a written summary letter sent to you and, with your permission, to your GP or referring clinician. Where a plan needs revisiting after tests, that review is a follow-up appointment.

It does not cover investigations, which are billed by the hospital directly, or surgery, which is quoted separately. You will always be told the cost of anything before it is arranged — there are no charges you have not agreed to in advance.

Paying for surgery

A surgical quotation sets out three separate fees, and it is worth understanding the distinction because they are billed by different parties:

• The surgeon's fee — for the operation itself and the routine post-operative care that follows it.
• The anaesthetist's fee — billed independently by the consultant anaesthetist.
• The hospital fee — theatre time, your bed, nursing care, implants or devices, and any overnight stay.

For insured patients a procedure code is provided so that you can obtain authorisation before a date is confirmed. Be aware that some policies reimburse the surgeon's fee only up to a set limit, leaving a shortfall you would pay yourself; it is worth asking your insurer about this specifically when you seek authorisation.

Cancellations

If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please give my PA as much notice as you can so the slot can be offered to someone else. Clinics run at both sites on fixed days and appointments are limited.

International patients

A significant proportion of referrals come from overseas, particularly for microsurgery and complex reconstruction. An initial video consultation can usually be arranged so that travel is only needed for surgery itself. Full documentation for overseas insurers is provided.