Getting treatment without seeing a GP

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You don't always need to see a GP first

Most of our health insurance options include our Direct Access service. This means you can speak to us about some symptoms before seeing a GP.

You can call us directly if you’re worried about:

cancer,
moles and skin cancer concerns,
mental health,
muscles, bones, and joints.

We’ll check that your symptoms are covered and explain your next steps. If you’re covered, our advisers, physios and mental health experts can provide support, advice, and a referral.

If you do need to speak to a GP, we’ll let you know.

We may also accept referrals from other healthcare practitioners. See a full list of referrals we accept.

What can we help you with?

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and you have Direct Access, call us directly. We’ll check that your symptoms are covered and explain how you can get help. You may be able to get treatment without a GP referral.

Get treatment

Remote mental health support

If you’re concerned about mental health, we’re here to listen. Call your usual member services helpline. We’ll check that you’re covered and help you with your next steps. Calling your helpline won’t count as a claim.

We can usually arrange a telephone consultation with one of our mental health practitioners. They’ll listen to your concerns and discuss options to help you on the road to feeling better. This may include online cognitive behavioural therapy.

Mental Health Direct Access is not available to under 16s.

Find out more about family mental health

Experiencing cancer symptoms? You can speak to us directly over the phone

If you’re worried you might have cancer, you can call us directly and speak to someone about your symptoms. Our trained advisers will give you clear advice on what to do next. Depending on your cover and your symptoms, they could refer you for an appointment with a consultant there and then.

Cancer Direct Access is not available to under 18s.

Get advice from home on muscle, bone and joint injuries

If you’re suffering from a muscle, bone or joint injury simply call us. Our advisers will check your symptoms are covered by your health insurance. And they’ll explain your next steps.

We can usually arrange a telephone consultation with a physiotherapist. They’ll assess your symptoms and recommend the most suitable course of treatment for you.

They may recommend self-help exercises. Or they could refer you for face-to-face treatment with a specialist.

MSK Direct Access is not available to under 12s.

Not insured by Bupa?

To use the Direct Access service, you need Bupa health insurance. We have two levels of cover available, Comprehensive, and Treatment and Care. Check out our comparison page to find the right cover for you.

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Yes, if you have private health insurance, a GP can refer you to a specialist or consultant. If you have Bupa health insurance, you don’t always need to see a GP first. If you’re worried about cancer, mental health or a muscle, bone, and joint condition, you can call Bupa directly. Our trained advisers will check whether your symptoms are covered and may be able to refer you for specialist treatment without seeing a GP.

We may also accept referrals from other healthcare practitioners. See a full list of referrals we accept.

Which ever way you get your referral, you'll still need to pay your excess and any fees that your policy doesn’t cover.

You don't need to have private health insurance to see a private GP. You can pay for one-off private appointments with us. If you would like to see a GP, you can use our online appointment booker or call us on 0330 057 6317. Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. You may be able to book an appointment for the same day.

Many of our health insurance customers can get 24/7 video calls with GPs through our Bupa Blua Health digital GP service^†. If this is included in your policy, you can book remote appointments within 24 hours. Speaking to a GP on this service won’t count as a claim.

The base prices for a face-to-face consultation with a private Bupa GP are:

15 minutes – £79
30 minutes – £140
45 minutes – £200
60 minutes – £250

The base prices for video and telephone GP appointments are:

15 minutes – £49
30 minutes – £89
45 minutes – £140

If you need more time for your appointment, this can be arranged. This is subject to availability.

Many of our health insurance customers can get video calls with GPs any time of day or night. They can do this through our Bupa Blua Health digital GP service^†. If this is included in your policy, you can book remote appointments within 24 hours. If GP appointments are included in your policy, the appointments are unlimited and come at no extra cost.

Anyone is welcome to book a private GP appointment with Bupa.

If you don't have health insurance with us, you can book and pay for a one-off appointment. Use our online appointment booker or call us on 0330 057 6138. Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

If you have health insurance with Bupa and GP appointments are included in your policy, you can book unlimited appointments at no extra cost.

A private GP isn't usually able to refer patients to NHS services. They can signpost patients towards NHS accident and emergency care. Or they can suggest a patient use NHS sexual health or family planning services.

Get a health insurance quote now

Our health insurance is designed to suit you. You can get a personalised quote by chatting to us and answering questions about your health and lifestyle.

^{^}We may record or monitor our calls.

Please be aware that information you send to this email address may not be secure unless you send us your email through Egress. For more information and to sign up for a free Egress account, go to https://switch.egress.com. You will not be charged for sending secure emails to a Bupa email address using the Egress service.

Any onward referrals for consultations, tests or treatment are subject to the benefits and exclusions of your cover. Please check your guide and certificate for further details or contact us to check your eligibility.

^†Customers who live on the Isle of Man, or have a Bupa Standard, Bupa Premium or Bupa Your Choice policy, do not have access to Bupa Blua Health, but can access GP24 provided by HealthHero. Some corporate schemes don't include access to Bupa Blua Health or GP24, so please check your scheme documents or give us a call.

Bupa Blua Health is provided by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 3829851. Digital GP services are powered by eMed Healthcare UK Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 15086104, Registered Office: 184-192 Drummond Street, London, England, NW1 3HP

Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ

Page last reviewed: 31/05/23