Therapists:
Back to TherapistsPhysiotherapy Network
When our customers need to see a physiotherapist, we offer them a choice of practices from our Physiotherapy Network.
Find out more about the benefits it could bring to your practice and the recognition criteria below.
Benefits of recognition
Bupa recognition can help you build and promote your practice. It enables you to:
- access a large share of the health insurance market
- receive agreed fees for the care and treatment that you provide our customers
- raising the profile of your practice through your personal page on Finder, our online directory of Bupa recognised healthcare professionals and healthcare services, which is used by our customers, GPs and the public and receives over 100,000 visits a week
- access to our Providers Online website and other online resources to make running your private practice simple and straightforward.
Entry criteria
We recognise the practice as a whole, rather than the individual physiotherapists, so please speak to your practice’s lead clinician about applying for Bupa recognition.
Each practice needs a named lead clinician who is registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and who has at least five years’ post qualification experience in full time practice. The lead clinician is responsible for ensuring that all physiotherapists treating Bupa customers meet our recognition criteria.
To make sure that our customers receive treatment in line with standards set by the CSP and the HCPC, all physiotherapists at the practice need to:
- be registered with the CSP
- be registered with the HCPC
- have current indemnity insurance up to the amount advised by your professional or regulatory body
In addition to the above, each physiotherapist at the practice who wants to treat Bupa customers needs to:
- have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (UK, Wales and Channel Islands), and have the appropriate child or adult barring list check relevant to the patients to be treated. An AccessNI enhanced certificate or an AccessNI basic if self employed (Northern Ireland), or a Disclosure Scotland enhanced disclosure that was completed within three years for all practising physiotherapists before applying for Bupa recognition
- have a clean record with the regulatory body. If a lead physiotherapist has previously undergone hearings or investigations we will need further information to process the practice application (please see the additional information section below which explains what we need to consider your application).
The practice also agrees to:
- submit all invoices for eligible treatment for our customers to Bupa online,
- receive payment from Bupa via BACs, and
- not send invoices to our customers.
Additional Information:
- If a lead physiotherapist has previously undergone investigations or hearings with the professional body, please attach a copy of any correspondence with them about the investigation in step 3.
- If you’ve told us about any declarations, convictions or previous suspensions, please attach a copy of investigation case notes and a covering letter explaining the circumstances in step 3.
Before you apply
You can apply for Bupa recognition online in four simple steps which should take less than an hour, depending on the complexity of your practice.
Familiarise yourself with the physiotherapy network
Before you apply, take a look at our Questions and Answers page where you can find more information about becoming Bupa recognised.
Please review the terms and conditions
We’ll take it that you agree to the Terms and conditions for joining the Bupa Physiotherapy Network (PDF, 330KB) if you apply for Bupa recognition.
Confidentiality Guidelines
We’ll only use the information you submit to us as part of this process for the purposes of this application, and in our ongoing relationship in the event that you become Bupa recognised.
We’ve indicated in the application form which information may be shared with Bupa customers on a Bupa website and through other media.
You have the opportunity to give your permission for this as you complete the application form.
Gather the information you need
You’ll find it easier to complete your application if you have the following information to hand:
- the name and address of your practice(s)
- professional qualifications and contact details of your lead physiotherapist
- a copy of your lead physiotherapist’s enhanced DBS certificate, AccessNI enhanced certificate, or Disclosure Scotland enhanced disclosure
- the professional qualifications of all physiotherapists at the practice
- photographic proof of identity for your lead physiotherapist
Apply online
We’ll send you an on screen message to confirm we’ve received your completed application. Once we’ve received your application and supporting documents, we’ll process them. We aim get back to you within five working days, but in busy periods it may take longer.
Your recognition begins on the day you’re added to Bupa’s list of recognised therapists, so please don’t start treating Bupa customers until you’ve received our email confirming that your application is complete. We’re unable to fund any services provided to Bupa patients before that.
We’re temporarily closed to new applications for Bupa recognition. Please check back for further updates as they will be published here. Thank you for your patience.
