• How much does private healthcare cost?

    How much does private healthcare cost?

    It’s well publicised that the maximum waiting time for NHS non-urgent, consultant-led treatments of 18 weeks is not being met in many cases. According to The Health Foundation, only 59% of patients have been waiting 18 weeks or less, and more than 234,000 patients have been waiting for more than a year, however this can vary depending on where you are in the UK.

    With private medical appointments being secured within days or weeks, depending on the condition and chosen provider, it’s understandable that more people could feel they need to turn to private treatments to access the medical care they need.

    So how much does it cost?

    The cost of private healthcare in the UK varies significantly depending on several factors, including the type of treatment, location, provider, and whether you have health insurance, are part of a healthcare scheme or pay out of pocket. Here’s a breakdown of the average costs and influencing factors:

    Typical Costs of Private Healthcare*

    • Initial Consultations: £190–£255 per appointment with a specialist (2)

    Diagnostic Tests (1):

    • MRI scan: £249–£2,000
    • CT scan: £355-£850
    • X-ray: £100–£300
    • Blood tests (7): around £43–£377 for a general health test, but varies significantly depending on the test type

    Surgical Procedures:

    Factors Affecting Cost

    • Type of Treatment: More complex procedures cost more (e.g. heart surgery vs. minor skin surgery)
    • Hospital & Location: London-based private hospitals are more expensive than regional providers
    • Consultant Fees: Specialists with high demand charge higher fees
    • Length of Stay: Private hospital rooms vary considerably depending on the type of room and location
    • Additional Services: Physiotherapy, post-op care, and medication add to overall costs.

    Private Health Insurance or Discretionary Healthcare Schemes

    Private healthcare in the UK offers an alternative to the NHS, providing quicker access to treatments, specialist consultations, and private hospital facilities. Customers usually pay a monthly or yearly premium/subscription for a level of cover that helps with the cost of medical treatment.

    Cover usually starts from the day you start paying premiums/subscriptions, however most private healthcare policies exclude pre-existing conditions. It’s worth checking the exclusions of the scheme before you sign up.

    The Police Mutual Discretionary Healthcare Scheme

    The Discretionary Healthcare Scheme is set up for members of the Police family by the Police, to help with the cost of private medical treatment when you need it. It allows you access to treatment at a range of private UK hospitals and facilities and can reduce time spent waiting for diagnosis or necessary medical procedures. 

    The Healthcare Scheme is a discretionary scheme financed by the subscriptions of the members and is not an insurance product. Whereas an insurance product has a set criteria for claims, our discretionary scheme assess claims on a case-by-case basis in line with the scheme rules.

    There are no medicals, but pre-existing conditions (in the five years prior to joining the scheme), radiotherapy & chemotherapy treatments, dental treatments, emergency treatments and cosmetic surgery are not covered.

    For more information on the Police Mutual Healthcare Scheme or to get a quote click below.

    Find out more >

    *Prices accurate as of 08/04/25

    Sources:

    1. The Best of Health:Cost of Private Scans: A Comprehensive Guide in 2024 – The Best Of Health
    2. PHIN portal: Consultant fees for private healthcare
    3. Circle Health:Private hip replacement cost | Orthopaedic surgery
    4. Circle Health:Knee replacement cost UK | How much does a knee replacement cost privately?
    5. Laser Eye Surgery Hub:How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost In UK Clinics in 2024?
    6. Circle Health: Paying for your own private treatment
    7. Nuffield Health: Direct Private Blood Tests | Nuffield Health

    Police Mutual Healthcare is a discretionary scheme and is not an insurance product. This product is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority and therefore is not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

    PMHC Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is registered in England and Wales No. 03018474. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB

    Sarah Blair

  • What Is Private Healthcare and what are the benefits?

    What Is Private Healthcare and what are the benefits?

    Private healthcare in the UK operates alongside the National Health Service (NHS) and is delivered by private hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals. Patients can access private healthcare either by purchasing private Health Insurance, paying directly for specific treatments or joining a Discretionary Healthcare Scheme.

    Why is Private Healthcare important?

    While the NHS provides comprehensive, free healthcare to all UK residents, private healthcare plays a crucial role in complementing and supporting the system. It offers an alternative for individuals who seek faster access to treatment and greater choice in their care.

    Private healthcare also alleviates some of the burden on the NHS by reducing waiting times for procedures and consultations, helping to ease pressure on public services.

    The Benefits of Private Healthcare

    1. Shorter Waiting Times

    One of the most significant advantages of private healthcare is the ability to bypass long NHS waiting lists. Many private hospitals and clinics offer quicker appointments for consultations, tests, and surgeries.

    2. Greater Choice and Flexibility

    Private patients usually have a wider access to consultants, hospitals, and even the timing of their treatment. This level of control allows for a more personalised healthcare experience.

    3. Access to Specialist Treatments

    Some treatments, medications, and procedures that may not be available on the NHS due to funding restrictions can be accessed privately. This can include advanced diagnostic tests, and specialist surgeries.

    4. Comfort and Privacy

    Private hospitals typically provide enhanced facilities, including private rooms, better amenities, and a more comfortable environment compared to NHS hospitals, where wards may be shared with multiple patients.

    5. Continuity of Care

    Private healthcare allows for greater continuity of care, meaning patients are more likely to see the same consultant throughout their treatment journey, rather than being treated by different doctors at different stages.

    The Police Mutual Discretionary Healthcare Scheme

    The Police Mutual Healthcare Scheme is set up for members of the Police family, by the Police, to help with the cost of private medical treatment when you need it, in the event of an illness. It allows you access to treatment at a range of private UK hospitals and facilities and can reduce time spent waiting for diagnosis or necessary medical procedures. 

    The Healthcare Scheme is a discretionary scheme financed by the subscriptions of the members and is not an insurance product. Whereas an insurance product has a set criteria for claims our discretionary scheme, claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with the scheme rules.

    How do Private Healthcare Schemes compare to the NHS?

    FeatureNHSPrivate Healthcare
    CostFree at point of use, funded by taxesPaid for by premiums/subscriptions through a healthcare policy/scheme
    Waiting TimesCan be long, especially for non-urgent treatmentsTypically shorter for consultations and procedures
    Choice of DoctorLimited – patients see available NHS consultantsPatients medical needs are discussed and the most suitable consultant and hospital will be offered
    FacilitiesStandard hospital facilities, shared wardsPrivate rooms, enhanced amenities
    Treatments AvailableCovers essential and emergency careIncludes additional treatments not always covered by NHS. T&Cs apply
    Emergency ServicesCovers urgent and life-threatening conditionsTypically doesn’t provide emergency care

    Is private healthcare right for you?

    While the NHS remains the backbone of UK healthcare, private healthcare offers an important alternative for those who want quicker access to treatment, more choice in their healthcare provider, and a more comfortable hospital experience. However, it does come at a financial cost. Some people choose a hybrid approach—using the NHS for emergency and essential care while opting for private treatment for specific conditions or quicker access to specialists.


    For more information on the Police Mutual Healthcare Scheme or to get a quote click below.

    Find out more >

    Police Mutual Healthcare is a discretionary scheme and is not an insurance product. This product is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority and therefore is not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

    PMHC Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is registered in England and Wales No. 03018474. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB.

    Sarah Blair

  • What’s the difference between a private Discretionary Healthcare Scheme and private Healthcare Insurance?

    What’s the difference between a private Discretionary Healthcare Scheme and private Healthcare Insurance?

    Private healthcare is medical services that you access outside the National Health Service (NHS) and are funded through private means.. People usually choose private healthcare due to shorter waiting times, choice of provider and enhanced comfort. But did you know there is a difference between Health Insurance and a Discretionary Healthcare Scheme?

    Take a look below at the differences between private Healthcare Insurance and a Discretionary Healthcare Scheme, which includes how they provide cover and make decisions on claims.

    Private Healthcare Insurance

    Healthcare Insurance is a policy that is legally obliged to pay some or all of certain medical expenses, as described in the policy documents. You pay regular premiums (monthly or annually) with costs often based on factors including your age, medical history and level of required cover. Underwriting and exclusions can apply, this means your health history is assessed to evaluate an application for private health insurance.  Insurers decide whether to accept the application and may exclude certain medical conditions.

    Health Insurance policies are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if disputes arise.

    Discretionary Healthcare Scheme

    With a Discretionary Healthcare scheme, cover is determined on a case-by-case basis to see what help is right for that member. To make decisions fair the scheme usually has a set of rules that guide which treatments are covered and which are not. However, being a discretionary scheme means treatments that sit outside the set of rules may still be authorised.

    Unlike private insurance, there are no payments for ‘extra’ cover. All the members pay is a subscription, depending on their age, into the scheme to provide cover when it’s needed and a member contribution (similar to an excess) when they make a claim.  There may be instances where a member needs to self-pay, if the limits of their membership do not cover the treatment needed. These schemes can be cheaper than private insurance and are not always FCA regulated. Many are run by mutual societies, charities or trade organisations.

    The Police Mutual Healthcare Scheme

    The Police Mutual Healthcare Scheme is a discretionary scheme, set up by the Police for members of the Police family to help with the cost of private medical treatment when you need it. It allows you access to treatment at a range of private UK hospitals and facilities and can reduce time spent waiting for diagnosis or necessary medical procedures. 

    There are no medicals, but pre-existing conditions (in the five years prior to joining the scheme), radiotherapy & chemotherapy treatments, dental treatments, emergency treatments and cosmetic surgery are not covered.

    To find out more or to get a quote click below

    Find out more >

    PMHC Limited, trading as Police Mutual, is registered in England and Wales No. 03018474. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB.

    Sarah Blair