Non NHS Private Fees

 

Learn more about private services fees

Your GP at their discretion may be able to assist you with work that is not provided for under the terms of the NHS Primary Care Services contract and which therefore attract charges.

We now employ Medidata to complete the majority of our medical reporting using their eMR system and we will always primarily direct any requests to them hat fall within the scope of work that they are able to complete.

Certain types of report continue to be completed at the surgery and we aim to complete such requests within 30 working days of receipt on a best endeavours basis. Should this not be possible, for example due to GP holidays or requests for a larger than normal piece of work, our staff will inform you.

Please be aware that we do not complete the following:

  • Firearms licence applications
  • Identity Confirmations (eg: passport/driving licence)
  • Confirmation of residence at an address
  • Confirmation of life
  • Opinion as to the ability to complete a Power of Attorney
  • Certificate to complete extreme activities (eg: sky diving, expeditions, marathons)
  • Court Exemption Report / Letter

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented through the Data Protection Act 2018 gives individuals the right of access to their health records. We always need to establish that we are releasing personal data to the person that is entitled to receive the information so to ensure that any such requests for information are dealt with correctly we always require a Subject Access request form to be completed which can be completed here or which is available from the practice on request.

List of fees

Where fees are required to be paid by the patient in advance of the work being completed the current tariff is shown below:

  • To whom it may concern letters - £60.00
  • To whom it may concern/Doctors letters to third parties - £60.00
  • Insurance claim form completion (Travel) - £100.00
  • Insurance Claim form completion (Accident) - £100.00
  • Medical Research forms - £100.00
  • Bus Pass - £20.00
  • Miscellaneous claim / form completion (Higher fee maybe required dependent on the information requested or the amount of work involved) - £100.00
  • Duplicate Sick Note - £50.00

 *inclusive of any VAT that may be payable

Exceptions may apply to all of the above reports. The fee payable will be subject to clinical discretion in any instance where the required work / time involved exceeds the norm for that type of report. 

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example, dental fees; in other cases, it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed, and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients:

  • accident/sickness insurance certificates
  • certain travel vaccinations
  • private medical insurance reports

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:

  • medical reports for an insurance company
  • some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
  • examinations of local authority employees
  • DS 1500 Form (Disability Living/Attendance Allowance)

Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?

The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.

I only need the doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council or even the Police.

What will I be charged?

The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees which many doctors use. Surgeries often have lists of fees on the waiting room wall based on these suggested fees.

What can I do to help?

  • Not all documents need signature by a doctor, for example passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge.
  • If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them all at once as a (job lot) at a reduced price.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. You should expect the form(s) to take up to 4 weeks for the GP to complete and return

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