How to Use Private Medical Insurance for Physiotherapy Services at PR Physio

What Is Private Medical Insurance?

Private medical insurance (also called private health insurance or PMI) is a policy that covers some or all of the costs of private healthcare, including physiotherapy. Depending on your policy and provider, you may be able to access physiotherapy treatments:

• Without a referral
• With faster appointment times
• At no extra cost (or with only a small excess fee)
• With coverage for multiple sessions, depending on your plan

This means you can start your recovery sooner, without waiting on NHS referrals or facing high upfront fees.

Which Insurance Providers Do We Work With?

At PR Physio, we are recognised by a wide range of major private health insurers. These include:

• Bupa
• AXA Health (formerly AXA PPP)
• Vitality Health
• Aviva
• WPA (Western Provident Association)
• Cigna
• Healix
• Simplyhealth
• Health-on-Line

If your insurer is not listed above, we may still be able to help. Just get in touch with PR Physio and we’ll check our registration status or help you claim via self-payment and reimbursement

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Your Insurance for Physiotherapy

Here’s how to use your private medical insurance to access physiotherapy at PR Physio in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Check Your Policy Coverage

Before booking your appointment, it’s essential to review your private health insurance policy or speak with your insurer.

You should confirm:

• Does your policy cover physiotherapy?
• Do you need a GP referral or specialist recommendation first?
• Is there an excess (an amount you pay before the insurer covers the cost)?
• How many sessions are covered per year?
• Is there a monetary cap or limit on session cost?
• Does your insurer require you to use approved or registered physiotherapists?

Once you have this information, it will be much easier to avoid any surprise fees or delays in treatment.

Step 2: Get a Referral (if required)

Some insurance providers require a GP or consultant referral before they will authorise physiotherapy treatment. Others may allow you to self-refer directly to PR Physio.

If a referral is needed, simply:

• Visit your GP or specialist
• Request a written referral for physiotherapy
• Ensure the referral includes your condition or symptoms
• Provide this referral to your insurer and PR Physio at the time of booking

We’re also happy to assist you with any paperwork or referral requirements if needed.

Step 3: Contact Your Insurer for Authorisation

Once you have your referral (if required), you’ll need to get authorisation from your insurance provider. This usually involves:

• Calling your insurer’s customer service line
• Providing details of your condition and proposed treatment
• Sharing the name of your chosen physiotherapy clinic (PR Physio)
• Giving your policy number and personal details

After reviewing your claim, your insurer will typically issue:

• A claim authorisation number
• Confirmation of how many sessions are approved
• Details of any excess payments or limits
• Any provider-specific instructions for invoicing

Keep this authorisation number handy, it’s essential for processing your sessions through insurance.

Step 4: Book Your Appointment with PR Physio

Once you have authorisation, you're ready to book your appointment. When contacting PR Physio please provide:

• Your full name and contact details
• Your insurance provider and policy number
• Your claim authorisation number
• The number of sessions approved (if known)
• Your referral letter (if required)

We’ll take care of the rest and schedule your appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists at a time that suits you.

Step 5: Attend Your Sessions and Focus on Recovery

At your first session, we’ll carry out a thorough assessment and discuss a tailored treatment plan based on your condition and goals. We’ll also help you track your insurance-approved sessions and communicate with your insurer if further treatment is needed.

Depending on your policy, your treatment may be fully covered, or you may be required to:

• Pay an excess fee (a fixed amount each policy year)
• Cover part of the session cost (a co-payment)
• Pay upfront and claim back the amount (if using a reimbursement model)

We’ll always let you know in advance if any payments are required, so there are no surprises.

 

What If My Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything?

If your insurance only covers part of the treatment or has limited sessions, you can still continue your care at PR Physio as a self-paying client. We offer:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
• Discounted packages for block bookings
• Flexibility to pay per session or pre-pay

We’ll always work within your budget and help you get the most out of your treatment time.

 

Tips for a Smooth Insurance Claim Experience

• Keep records: Save emails, referral letters, invoices and authorisation numbers.
• Communicate changes: Let your insurer know if your treatment plan or condition changes.
• Stay within session limits: If you’re running out of sessions, talk to us. We can request an extension if clinically appropriate.
• Ask questions: Not sure what’s covered? Don’t hesitate to ask your insurer or our friendly team.