We are often asked by patients with private medical insurance to write private referral letters to a given speciality or consultant. We are happy to do this in general, and we do not charge for writing the initial referral letter. Please note that private insurance providers are often rather particular on the date your symptoms first started, and on whether you have had those symptoms before. When you discuss the symptoms with a GP and ask for a private referral, please bear this in mind. Your GP will need to check your medical record for previous symptoms related to your current symptoms, and if present, we will usually advise you that insurers may not choose to fund your requested referral. Private medical insurers sometimes decline claims for what they term “pre-existing conditions” which is where you had symptoms before you first took out insurance with them.
Any private referral letter we agree to write is sent by e-mail to your registered e-mail address once written.
If. after sending a private referral, we are required to provide a medical report to your insurer, there will be a charge for that service. Sometimes the insurer will cover the cost, but not always. Further details about charges can be found here: https://www.northendmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/clinics-and-services/non-nhs-work/