How do you find a private consultant?

One of the benefits of having a Private Medical Insurance policy is that following a referral from your GP you will have a range of consultants to choose from. How do you choose the right private consultant?

GP advice and recommendations

In most cases your GP should be able to recommend the most appropriate private specialist for your condition. You do not have to take your GP’s recommendation and they may not have a preference for a particular consultant for your clinical needs. If you hold a Private Medical Insurance policy you may wish to obtain an open referral or choose a consultant yourself. Your health insurance may give you access to remote GP consultations via a mobile app. These qualified GP’s will be able to refer you to the consultant you need to see.

Open referral for a private consultant 

Many private medical insurance policies offer an Open Referral service. This is where the GP doesn’t recommend a consultant or hospital, instead it is the insurer who will provide you with a choice of two or three of the most relevant consultants. This will be at the most convenient location for you, close to your home or work.

Choosing a consultant yourself

You may decide that you would like to choose a consultant yourself. You can speak to friends or relatives who have used a particular consultant for similar symptoms. Online research via hospital websites to see which consultants are available is another option. An online business directory, may also prove to be a useful resource to help you find a consultant.

If you have chosen a consultant yourself, you should always check the consultant is recognised by your insurer. This will ensure that you will not have any shortfalls in payment for your claim.

If you have a Private Medical Insurance policy and your GP thinks you need specialist treatment and you would like to see someone privately by using your health insurance we hope the above will be of use, however if you would like to speak with one of our experienced team for further information about referral processes, please contact us on 01245 929 129 or email enquires@smphealthcare.com.