Medical referrals
You don’t always need a medical referral to get treatment
For cancer, muscle, bone and joint issues, or mental health, call us first.
Most of our health insurance includes Direct Access. This means you can speak to us about some symptoms without a GP referral.
Call us first about cancer, mental health or muscles, bones, and joints.
Call 0345 609 0111
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm,
Saturday 8am to 4pm
We may record or monitor our calls.
If you need a GP referral
If your symptoms aren’t related to cancer, mental health or muscle, bone and joint issues, you may need a GP or other medical referral.
You can get a GP referral from your NHS GP. Or, most of our customers can access remote GP appointments through the My Bupa app.
Referrals Bupa accepts
This information applies to referrals from NHS and private healthcare providers.
A-C
A&E – Accident and Emergency
We accept referrals from NHS A&E consultants and nurses once the patient’s condition is stable. We don’t cover any direct admission into critical care or intensive care units. If you need urgent care, go direct to an NHS A&E.
Acupuncturist
An acupuncturist can refer you to a consultant to treat the symptoms they have seen.
Anaesthetist
An anaesthetist can refer you to a specialist.
Audiologists
An audiologist can refer to an ear, nose and throat, or other specialist. We only cover treatment for hearing that has suddenly got worse and that can be restored.
Cognitive behavioural therapist
A CBT therapist can refer you to another mental health specialist.
Chiropodists
A chiropodist can refer you to a specialist to treat a foot or ankle condition they have seen you for.
Chiropractor
A chiropractor can refer you to a specialist to treat muscle, bone or joint conditions that they have seen you for.
Company doctor
A company doctor can refer to a specialist.
Consultant
Consultants can refer to another consultant. This could happen if it’s in the best clinical interest of the patient. Or if it is part of the clinical pathway which the patient’s treatment is following.
Counsellor
A counsellor can provide a referral to mental health specialists.
D-F
Dentist
A dentist can refer to an oral or maxillofacial consultant. Some of our health insurance policies do include some dental cover. You can find details of what’s included in your cover in your policy documents. Sign in to find your documents.
Dietitian
A dietitian can refer you to a specialist to treat the symptoms that they have seen you for.
Digital GP
A private GP who has seen you for a remote appointment can give you a referral letter. We sometimes call these digital GP appointments. You might attend them through your My Bupa app.
Emergency nurse practitioner
Nurses can refer to a specialist.
G-L
GP
You can get a referral from an NHS or a private GP. You can also get a referral from a GP who you have spoken to remotely in a phone or video appointment.
Health assessments
If you have a face to face health assessment, your clinician can refer you to a specialist.
Health visitors
Health visitors can refer you to a specialist in the same way as a GP.
M-O
Midwives
Midwives can refer you to a specialist in the same way as a GP. Only some conditions linked to pregnancy or childbirth are covered by health insurance. Read more about maternity and health insurance.
Nurses, nurse practitioners, school nurses and specialist nurses
All these nurses can refer you to a specialist.
Occupational health clinician
An occupational health clinician can refer you to a specialist. Occupational health technicians can’t refer you. A clinician needs to support your referral.
Optician or optometrist
Opticians and optometrists can refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Osteopath
An osteopath can refer you to a specialist to treat the muscle, bone or joint issue they have seen you for.
Overseas doctors
We may accept overseas referrals for treatment in the UK in some cases. This may be if symptoms relate to cancer, muscle, bone or joint issues, or mental health. Or if treatment has started. Call us to ask if you’re covered.
P-R
Paramedic
Paramedics can refer you to a specialist once your condition is stable.
Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist can refer you to a specialist to treat the symptoms they have seen you for. You can get a referral if you have seen the physio in person or in a remote appointment.
Podiatrists
A podiatrist can refer you to a specialist to treat the foot or ankle condition they have seen you for.
Private GP
Private GPs can refer you to a specialist in the same way as an NHS GP.
Psychologists and psychotherapists
A psychologist or psychotherapist can refer you to another mental health specialist.
Radiologists
A radiologist can refer you to specialists to help you get the correct treatment.
S-T
ScreenCancer
ScreenCancer is a skin cancer detection service which you may access through Boots. They can refer you to a dermatologist.
Skin analytics
Skin Analytics is a skin cancer detection service. They can refer you to a dermatologist.
SkinVision app
SkinVision is a skin cancer detection service. They can refer you to a dermatologist. We accept high-risk referrals from SkinVision.
Speech therapist
A speech therapist can refer you to an ear, nose and throat consultant.
Telephone, video and other remote appointments
We may accept referrals from remote appointments. This includes most of the specialists listed on this page.
Get a quote
See your options for health insurance and compare costs.
Speak to our team
New customers
Call 0800 600 500
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Bupa health insurance customers
Call 0345 609 0111
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm.
We may record or monitor our calls.
Sign in to your account
Find your documents and other information about your cover in the app.
Or you can sign in to your account online.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 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 with registration number 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
Last reviewed: 24 September 2024
