For patients with private medical insurance
Recognised by every major UK insurer.
If you have private medical insurance, in most cases we can settle directly with your insurer. Below is how the process works, what we need from you, and the providers we work with.
Recognised by
All major UK private medical insurers.
We hold provider recognition with the six largest UK insurers and can settle most claims directly. If your insurer is not listed below, please contact us — we can usually still process your treatment under their policy.
- Bupa
- AXA Health
- Vitality
- Aviva
- Cigna
- WPA
Also accepted: Allianz, Healix, AIG, MediCare International, ExpaCare, and most international insurers. Please call us if your provider isn’t listed.
Pre-authorisation
How to use your insurance with us.
Most insurers require pre-authorisation before they will cover a private appointment. The process is usually straightforward and takes 10–15 minutes.
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Step 01
Contact your insurer first
Call the helpline on the back of your membership card. Tell them you’d like to see a private GP or specialist at Tower Bridge Hospital London, 97-99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. They will check your policy covers the consultation type.
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Step 02
Get an authorisation number
If your policy covers it, your insurer will issue a pre-authorisation code. Some policies authorise per appointment; others authorise a course of treatment. Write the code down and the validity period.
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Step 03
Book your appointment
Book Now via our patient portal, by phone, or via WhatsApp. Tell our reception team your insurer, policy number, and pre-authorisation code. They will verify with the insurer if needed.
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Step 04
We settle directly
For most providers we invoice the insurer directly. You only pay your policy excess (if any) at the appointment. Receipts and clinic notes can be sent to you for your records.
Book an appointment
Private appointments at our Whitechapel clinic, open 7 days, 9am–7pm. Book online, call or WhatsApp.
At your appointment
What we need to process your claim.
Please have the following ready when you arrive or when you book online. This helps us settle your claim quickly so you don’t have to chase your insurer afterwards.
- Your membership / policy number Found on your insurance card or in your policy documents.
- Pre-authorisation code Issued by your insurer over the phone or in writing. Without this, we cannot bill the insurer directly and you may need to pay first and claim back.
- Photo ID Passport, driving licence, or similar — required for first-visit identity verification under CQC standards.
- Referral letter (if required) Some policies (particularly Bupa and AXA) require a GP referral letter before they will cover specialist appointments. We can issue a GP-led referral within the clinic if you don’t have one.
- Excess payment (if applicable) If your policy has an excess, it’s payable at the appointment by card. We’ll let you know in advance based on your insurer’s confirmation.
Good to know
Insurance questions answered.
Still have a question? Our team can help you choose the right appointment.
What if my insurer isn’t on your list?
The major UK insurers above are the ones we have direct provider agreements with, but we can usually still process treatment under most other UK or international PMI policies. The simplest approach is to call your insurer and ask whether they cover treatment at “My Health & Wellbeing Clinics Ltd, 97-99 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DT.” If yes, you can usually be reimbursed even if we don’t settle directly — we’ll provide an itemised invoice for your claim.
Do I need a GP referral?
It depends on your policy. Bupa and AXA Health usually require a GP referral letter before they will authorise a specialist appointment. Vitality and Aviva often allow direct booking with specialists, but may require referral for certain procedures. Cigna international policies usually require pre-authorisation but not always a referral.
If you don’t have a referral, you can book a private GP appointment with us first — either same-day or same-week — and we’ll provide the referral if appropriate. Some insurers do not reimburse the GP appointment itself but will reimburse the subsequent specialist appointment.
What does my excess mean?
An excess is the amount you pay each policy year before your insurer starts covering claims. It’s usually £100–£500 depending on your policy. We’ll usually settle the full bill with your insurer, and the excess (if not already paid) will be invoiced to you separately by the insurer — or we can take it at the appointment if your insurer asks us to. Your policy documents specify how this is handled.
What if my insurer won’t authorise the treatment?
Some treatments are excluded from cover by policy — for example, certain cosmetic, lifestyle, or pre-existing condition treatments. If your insurer declines pre-authorisation, you have two options: pay self-pay rates (we publish all our fees transparently on our price list), or ask us to provide a written second-opinion letter to support an appeal to your insurer. We never proceed with treatment without confirming who is responsible for payment.
Can I use my employer’s health plan?
Yes — many employer schemes (including Cash Plans like Simplyhealth and HSF) reimburse you after the appointment. We’ll provide an itemised invoice you can submit to your employer’s benefits provider. For Corporate PMI schemes (e.g. Bupa for Business, AXA Corporate, Vitality at Work), the process is the same as personal PMI — we settle directly with the insurer in most cases.
I’m a self-pay patient. What are your fees?
All our self-pay fees are published on our price list, with no hidden costs. Initial GP appointments are typically 30 minutes; specialist consultations are 30–45 minutes. Any tests, scans, or procedures are quoted before they are started, so you always know what you’re paying for.
Ready to book?
We’ll handle the insurance side.
You focus on the appointment. We’ll talk to your insurer, verify your cover, and settle the claim — so you can simply turn up.
. No GP referral needed. Open 7 days, 9am–7pm.
Tower Bridge Hospital · Whitechapel, East London
Private healthcare in East London — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf
Our clinic at 97–99 Whitechapel Road, E1 cares for patients from across London and the Docklands — including Aldgate, the City, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford and Bermondsey — a few minutes’ walk from Aldgate East and Whitechapel stations.
- Open 7 days, 9am–7pm
- Private & confidential
- Easy access in East London
No GP referral needed for most appointments. View prices.