PATIENT INFO

HOW IT WORKS

Step by step guide

Referral Letter :

  • You will need a private referral letter from your GP – there may be a charge for this.
  • Your GP may give you the referral letter immediately or tell you to find a specialist name first and then write the referral letter or they may want to fax the letter over directly to the specialist.
  • Many GPs prefer to address the letter to a named specialist. However this isn't absolutely necessary and they can address the letter to Dear Colleague/Dear Dr/To whom it may concern.
  • Most private insurance companies will not cover your private treatment if you do not obtain a referral letter.
  • The referral letter will give a brief medical history of why your GP is recommending you to see a specialist.
  • This will be useful for the specialist, gives them relevant up to date information on any treatments your GP may have prescribed and details of any recent test results.

If you have been admitted to an NHS hospital and wish to transfer to a private hospital :


Privately Insured :

  • Contact your Private Health Insurance
  • Inform your admitting NHS Specialist and obtain a medical report
  • Obtain a discharge letter stating you are well enough to transfer

Self Pay :

  • Inform your admitting NHS Specialist and obtain a medical report
  • We will then obtain an approximate cost of treatment and how much deposit is required
  • Deposit is payable on arrival
  • Obtain a discharge letter stating you are well enough to transfer

Private Health Insurance :

  • The first thing you have to remember about insurance companies is that they need you to contact them before you come into hospital, they may allocate a claim number for us and a claims form for you to hand over to the consultant for his signature. Contact your insurance company and let them know you need to make an appointment to see a Specialist. They will instruct you to call them back with the name of the specialist, once you have made your appointment. Check your level of Insurance cover for example some Insurance Companies have a limit on how much they will cover for outpatient treatments. You may have limits on your policy, or excesses that you need to check out first. It is vital that you confirm cover before you commit yourself to the bill.
  • Full insurance details must be given to the hospital registration staff at or before time of treatment for direct settlement. While the hospital will invoice your insurance company or sponsor directly, it is your responsibility to ensure that claims are processed promptly. Should insurers, sponsors or guarantors decline or delay payment, you will be invoiced for immediate settlement.
  • If your company is settling your account, HCA International has credit arrangements with some companies. In such cases the patient must provide a letter of guarantee authorising payment of the tests or treatment to be carried out.
  • Please note there may be an extras bill. By extras bill we mean those personal items not covered in your medical invoice, for example guest meals, telephone charges and newspapers. Some insurers will not cover the cost of items such as crutches or splints, neck and knee braces because they are classed as aides to mobility.

Self Pay :

  • If you are paying your own account then you will normally be required to make a payment before treatment. The hospitals accept all major credit cards, cash and personal cheque with a banker's card. A passport must support sterling silver travellers cheques.
  • If for any reason you are not able to settle the account on the day of treatment then you may telephone our credit card hotline on 020 7616 4800 and make your payment at any time of the day or night. If you would like to speak to one of our advisors then please call during the hours of 9am-5.30pm.
  • For postal payments please make your cheque payable to HCA International, not forgetting to write your hospital account number on the back of the cheque and send to:

    HCA International
    Central Cashiers
    242 Marylebone Road
    London
    NW1 6JL

  • All medical fees relating to specialist consultations and treatment are separate from the hospital charges. Your consultant will require you to settle these directly.

Finding a named specialist :

  • Either your GP will recommend a specialist name to you or he/she may ask you to find one yourself. Please click here for our list of consultants, or call us for advice.

Making an Appointment :

  • Contact us on 020 7079 4344 or click here to make an appointment.
  • Once you have made your appointment, contact your insurance company again and give them the doctors name and they will then confirm the doctor is a known provider with your insurance company.
  • Contact your GP if they need the specialist name to complete the referral letter.
  • Either collect the letter yourself or ask the surgery to fax it over to the specialist.

Appointment Day :

  • Make sure you have your GP's referral letter with you if it's not been faxed over.
  • Bring your Insurance details and if relevant your authorisation number with you.