Using private health insurance to see a dietitian in the UK
Oksana RozponczykPodziel się
Reading time: 2 min
One question I hear a lot in clinic is: "I have private health insurance through work. Can I use it to see a dietitian?" Very often, yes. I'm a recognised provider with Bupa, AXA Health and WPA, so if your policy covers dietetic appointments, your consultation can be billed directly to your insurer.
Every policy is a little different, so below I've set out what to check and who to call before you book.
Which insurers recognise me
I currently work with three insurers. Whether online appointments are covered depends on your policy, so it's worth asking when you get your authorisation.
|
Insurer |
Where I see patients |
Good to know |
|---|---|---|
|
Bupa |
Face to face in Hanwell (W7) |
My profile is "Fee assured", so no unexpected bills. Provider number: 30050919 (my Bupa profile) |
|
AXA Health |
Online or face to face |
You'll need an authorisation number from AXA before your appointment |
|
WPA |
Online or face to face |
You'll need authorisation from WPA before your appointment |
How to use your insurance, step by step
It usually takes one or two phone calls. The key thing is to call your insurer before your first appointment, not after it.
- Check your policy. Look in your policy documents or your insurer's app to see whether it includes outpatient cover and dietitian appointments. Note your annual outpatient limit and any excess.
- Ask your GP for a referral. Most policies need a GP referral before you see a specialist. An open referral to a dietitian works well. Some Bupa policies offer direct access without a referral, so it's worth asking.
- Call your insurer. Tell them you'd like to see a dietitian and give them my name. If you're covered, you'll get an authorisation code or number (Bupa calls it a pre-authorisation code).
- Book your appointment. Get in touch with me and share your insurer's name, your membership number and your authorisation code. We'll agree a time and whether we meet online or in person.
- Billing. I invoice your insurer directly. If your policy has an excess, you pay that part yourself.
How to claim with Bupa · How to claim with AXA Health
Frequently asked questions
My insurance is through work. Does it work the same way? Yes. Company policies are claimed in exactly the same way. Your HR team or your insurer's app can tell you what's included.
Can I have my appointment before I get authorisation? You can, but it's a risk. If your insurer decides the appointment isn't covered, you'll need to pay for it yourself. That's why I always ask for an authorisation code before the first appointment.
What if my policy doesn't cover dietitians? That's okay. You can still book privately. In a free 15-minute call I'll explain how I can help and which way of working together suits you best.
My insurer isn't on your list. Drop me a message and we'll check together whether your policy lets you claim the cost back.
Questions? Get in touch
I know insurance paperwork can feel like a lot, especially on top of everything else you're dealing with. If you're not sure where to start, send me a message through my contact form. I'll help you work out what to ask your insurer so we can get started as soon as possible.
