Fast access to expert care through your private medical insurance

Your current cover could give you access to faster private diagnosis and treatment, delivered by trusted Consultants - and help you avoid long wait times.

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Using your private medical insurance (PMI) at Benenden Hospital

We welcome patients with private medical insurance, whether you have individual cover or a policy through your job as part of your employee benefit package.

At our CQC rated Outstanding private hospital, you can get fast access to diagnosis and treatment, including physiotherapy, when you need it - safe in the knowledge that payment will be made directly to us by your insurer.

And, depending on your insurer and level of cover, you’ll be able to choose from our highly experienced Consultants. You can check that your chosen clinician provides treatment on behalf of your insurer by using our Consultant search.

We're recognised by the following major insurance companies, including:

Allianz Care
Aetna
April International
Aviva Health UK
AXA Health
Bupa
Cigna Healthcare
The Exeter
Four Points Assistance
Freedom Health Insurance
General & Medical Healthcare
Groupama
Healix
HMCA
Legal & General
National Friendly
One Medical
PHC
Saga Health Insurance
Simplyhealth
Standard Life
Vitality
WPA

There are a variety of policies available, so check with your insurance provider to confirm that you’re covered for your procedure.

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What is private medical insurance?

Private medical cover gives you access to private healthcare services, often from diagnosis through to treatment. Depending on the level of cover, you’ll typically pay a monthly or annual fee.

For many people, this cost is covered by their employer as part of a staff benefits package. However, individual policies are also available for those who prefer to arrange their own cover. Some plans may also extend to include your partner, spouse, or children - though this depends on the specific terms of the policy.

What are the benefits of using your private medical insurance at Benenden Hospital?

There are many advantages to using private medical insurance to pay for your treatment at Benenden Hospital, including:

Faster access to diagnosis and treatment, reducing waiting time and any delays
Expert care in a tranquil countryside setting - a convenient location if you live in Kent, East Sussex or south east London
The ability to choose from one of our highly respected Consultants (depending on your level of cover)
Comfortable private rooms with en-suite wet room facilities
Additional services such as pharmacy, imaging and diagnostics, and physiotherapy on-site

We offer a range of diagnostics and innovative treatments - delivered by leading Consultants who are supported by compassionate and experienced teams in our award-winning facilities. This includes:

Hip and knee pain treatment
Varicose vein removal
Cataract surgery
Ear, nose and throat surgery (ENT)
General surgery
Treatments for men's health and women's health concerns
Treatment for sports injury and work-related injuries
Diagnostic tests and scans, including gastroenterology

How to use your insurance to access private treatment

1. Contact your GP

When you have an appointment with your GP or other health professional, inform them that you have private medical insurance and ask them for a referral to Benenden Hospital.

You may have already chosen the Consultant you wish to see. If you let your GP know this, they can add it to the referral letter, along with details of your recommended treatment.

2. Contact your insurance company

Following your visit to your GP, call your insurer to activate your insurance, making sure you have your referral details to hand. It’s advisable to ask your insurance company the following questions:

Is my specific condition covered?
Is each stage of my treatment covered?
Am I covered for the planned treatment at Benenden Hospital, including my first outpatient appointment?
Does my insurance company recognise the Consultant I've chosen?
Is there an excess payable on my policy?

Not sure whether you have private medical insurance through your employer?

If you're not sure whether you have PMI through your employer, you should ask your Human Resources department. We have a guide for employers, which outlines how staff can access treatment at our hospital through your corporate scheme.

3. Contact us

Once you have a GP referral, and have contacted your insurance company for authorisation, you can book your appointment with us by calling our Private Patient Team on 01580 363158.

What we’ll need from you

Before admission, we’ll write to you asking for the following details:

Your claim form, if it is already with your Consultant, GP or insurance company, just let us know
The name of your insurer
Your membership or policy number
Confirmation of eligibility such as a pre-authorisation or claim number (some insurers give a different reference to the treatment, and authorisation of a consultation does not necessarily mean that they have authorised the treatment that results)
Any excess applying to your policy (most insurers will ask you to pay that direct to us)

Please bring these details to your first appointment. It’s vital that we have this information before admission because insurers may refuse to make a payment, they haven’t pre-authorised. In that case, you’d be liable for the entire bill.

How private healthcare works

If you use your private medical insurance to access treatment at Benenden Hospital, we want you to be as fully informed as possible.

This short film from the Independent Healthcare Provider's Network outlines your rights around being treated safely, receiving the highest standards of care and having a good patient experience.

Thinking about using your private medical insurance to access a treatment?

To find out more about arranging your treatment with Benenden Hospital please contact:

01580 363158

Make an enquiry

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Page last reviewed: 25 July 2025

Next review: 01 September 2026