Speak to a specialist. Whenever you need it.
If you’re worried or experiencing symptoms for the conditions listed below, our Direct Access† service is here to help. As long as your symptoms are covered under your policy, you can call us directly for advice and treatment usually without the need for a GP referral.
We may also accept referrals from other Healthcare Practitioners. You can find out more here
Cancer symptoms
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 the nature of your symptoms, they could refer you for an appointment with a consultant there and then.
Cancer Direct Access is not available to Under 18s
Support without seeing a GP
It’s important to spot the signs of cancer early. With Direct Access† and Bupa cancer cover, you don’t need to see a GP before you come to us. You can call and speak to a trained adviser who will check your symptoms, and can book you in with a specialist there and then. Watch the video to find out more about cancer and Direct Access†.
Life can feel full on most of the time.
Full of overtimes, storytimes, playtimes, but if you spot signs of cancer, life starts to slow down and almost stop.
That's why Bupa cancer cover promises to help you move forward fast.
There's no waiting around to see a GP, call us straight away.
You'll speak to a trained advisor who will check your symptoms and give you clear advice on what to do next.
This could mean a referral to a specialist there and there.
Because at Bupa we're here to help you get back to feeling like yourself again sooner.
That's the strength of our direct access service.
Mental health
If you’re concerned about mental health, we’re here to listen. Call your usual member services helpline and we’ll 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, which may include online cognitive behavioural therapy‡.
Mental Health Direct Access is not available to Under 16s
Muscles, bones and joints
If you’re suffering from a muscle, bone or joint injury simply call us and we’ll arrange a telephone consultation with a senior physiotherapist.
They’ll be able to assess your symptoms and recommend the most suitable course of treatment for your needs‡.
Options can include self-help exercises or referral for face-to-face treatment with an appropriate specialist‡.
MSK Direct Access† is not available to Under 12s
Yes – if you have private health insurance and a GP thinks you may need to see a specialist or consultant, they can refer you. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms suggesting cancer or trouble with your muscles, bones and joints, you can speak to one of our specialist advisers directly for a referral to a consultant, therapist or mental health and wellbeing therapist usually without seeing a GP and we call this our Direct Access service. We may also accept referrals from another healthcare practitioner. Find out more about the situations in which we will accept such referrals.
If you’re referred for an appointment, you’ll still need to pay your excess and any additional fees outside your policy’s agreement.
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 have a general concern and would like to see a GP quickly, you can call us on 0330 057 6317 or use our online appointment booker to arrange a private GP appointment, which can often be on the same day if the reason is urgent.
Insurance customers have access to 24 hour GP appointments through Digital GP, included as part of their policy (so at no extra cost).
The base price of an initial fifteen-minute face to face consultation with a private Bupa GP is £70.00 and a thirty-minute face to face appointment costs £128.00.
Base price for video and telephone GP appointments are £49 for fifteen-minutes and £89 for thirty-minutes.
If you need a longer amount of time for your appointment, this can be arranged (subject to availability).
If you’re already a Bupa health insurance customer, your policy includes access to Digital GP. This means, for no extra cost, you can book 24 hour GP appointments.
Anyone is welcome to book a private GP appointment with Bupa, even if you don’t have a health insurance policy with us.
You can book an appointment either by calling us on 0330 057 6138 or by using our online appointment booker.
If you already have a Bupa health insurance, private GP appointments through Digital GP are included as part of your policy, at no extra cost.
Learn more about private health insurance
Our useful guides are here to help you understand the fundamentals of health insurance. We also cover a number of key health topics – such as looking after yourself as a parent and taking care of your children’s health.
Getting health insurance when you’re self-employed
If you’re self-employed you may be considering health insurance to give you peace of mind for your business.
Will I need an excess on my health insurance policy?
Health insurance policies often include an excess. This is fairly standard with most insurance policies, but it’s worth understanding the impact excess can have on your cover.
In-patient vs. out-patient cover
When you’re looking at health insurance policies you may come across terms like in-patient and out-patient cover and not fully understand what these include.
Private health insurance exclusions
Before you take out health insurance, it’s important that you have a thorough understanding of what is and isn’t covered.
Do I need private health insurance?
If you’re considering private health insurance, you may be weighing up if you need it or not. We’ve broken down the benefits so you can see if suits your personal needs.
Get an online quote today
Call us
01134950976^
^ Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm. We may record or monitor our calls.
Email us
You can find independent information about the quality and cost of private treatment available from doctors and hospitals from the Private Healthcare Information Network: www.phin.org.uk
^ We may record or monitor our calls
† Direct Access telephone services are available as long as the symptoms are covered under the policy. If your cover excludes conditions you had before your policy started, we’ll ask you to provide evidence from your GP that your symptoms are not pre-existing for a period of up to two years from policy start date (or five years in the case of mental health). We can then refer you to a consultant or therapist through the Direct Access service. Always call us first to check your eligibility.
‡ Your out-patient allowance will be used to fund treatment after your direct telephone consultation.
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
