# Private physiotherapy costs: first appointment and full course https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/ Publisher: Med Easy Source material checked: 2026-10-20 Editorial information; no registered-clinician review is claimed. General UK healthcare information. Country-specific rules and provider examples retain the limits stated in the text. Fees are dated examples, not live quotes. ## Short answer Compare the initial physiotherapy assessment separately from follow-up appointments, recording the length, location and format of each. Ask when progress and the need for further visits will be reviewed. Before buying a block of sessions, understand expiry, unused-session refunds, additional charges and what happens if the assessment suggests a different service would be appropriate. The price of a first physiotherapy appointment is only one part of the comparison. Understand the assessment, review points and payment terms before treating a discounted block of sessions as your total cost. ## Key points - An assessment price and a follow-up price describe different appointments. - Session numbers should follow assessment and review rather than a website calculator. - A package discount needs to be weighed against expiry and refund terms. ## Compare the first appointment with the first appointment Bupa’s published physiotherapy fees , checked on 20 October 2026, were £72 for an initial assessment and £55 for a follow-up outside Greater London . Greater London prices were £95 and £72 respectively. The page described assessments of up to 45 minutes and follow-ups of up to 30 minutes. These are one provider’s dated examples, not a national average. A short follow-up price should not be compared with another clinic’s longer new-patient assessment. Record the appointment type, location, duration and format together. If you have a particular rehabilitation need, ask whether the clinician and appointment are suitable before using the general fee as your budget. Section link: https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#compare-the-first-appointment-with-the-first-appointment - [Bupa’s published physiotherapy fees](https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/payg/physiotherapy) ## Make a course estimate without guessing your treatment plan The number and frequency of appointments should be discussed after assessment. A price calculator cannot determine how many sessions someone needs. Ask when progress will be reviewed, how the plan may change and whether follow-ups are booked individually or paid for in advance. For a purely illustrative budget, an assessment priced at £80 plus three follow-ups at £60 would total £260. That arithmetic is not a proposed treatment course or a provider quote. Its purpose is to show why the initial price and repeat fee both matter. Replace the numbers only after you have a relevant written estimate. Section link: https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#make-a-course-estimate-without-guessing-your-treatment-plan ## Understand what happens between visits Ask whether the fee covers a written exercise plan, access to any exercise platform and a way to clarify the instructions. Check how long access lasts if the clinic uses an app. A digital resource can be useful, but its presence does not explain how individual questions are handled. Discuss practical goals with the physiotherapist and ask how they will review progress. If the plan proves difficult to follow at home, explain the barrier rather than buying additional sessions without discussing it. Ask whether a change to remote appointments, a longer session or a different service would have different charges and whether it is appropriate for your situation. Section link: https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#understand-what-happens-between-visits ## Read block-booking and additional-fee terms A package may reduce the advertised cost per visit while requiring a larger payment today. Before committing, check the expiry date, refund position for unused sessions, rescheduling terms and whether the package is tied to one clinician or location. Ask what happens if the assessment suggests that further physiotherapy is not appropriate. Where a service mentions equipment, specialist facilities, reports or additional treatment techniques, ask whether they are included or separately priced. Do not assume that paying for a package means every possible intervention is part of it. For insured appointments, obtain the insurer’s confirmation of the clinician, session authorisation and any amount you must pay yourself. Section link: https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#read-block-booking-and-additional-fee-terms ## Check the practitioner and consider the NHS route Use the HCPC register to check the named physiotherapist. Match the name or registration number rather than relying solely on a clinic badge. Registration checks answer a different question from whether a specific clinician has the experience relevant to your needs; ask the clinic about both. The NHS physiotherapy guide explains that some services accept self-referrals and others require a referral. Ask your GP surgery or local service which route applies. Private and NHS waiting times, access criteria and appointment arrangements are service-specific. Use our physiotherapy overview and appointment preparation guide to plan the conversation. Section link: https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#check-the-practitioner-and-consider-the-nhs-route - [HCPC register](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/) - [NHS physiotherapy guide](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/physiotherapy/) - [physiotherapy overview](https://www.med-easy.co.uk/private-healthcare/physiotherapy/) - [appointment preparation guide](https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/prepare-for-healthcare-appointment/) ## Questions to ask - Is the quoted appointment an initial assessment or a shorter follow-up? - Does the physiotherapist’s experience match the type of rehabilitation I need? - When will we review progress and the need for further appointments? - What support or exercise instructions are included between sessions? - Can unused package sessions expire, transfer or be refunded if the plan changes? ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I know the cost of the full course before an assessment? You can collect session prices and package terms, but the number of visits should be discussed after assessment. Ask for an initial estimate and an agreed review point rather than a promise based only on an online symptom description. Keep possible additional charges separate in your budget. https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#faq-1 ### Is a block of sessions always better value? Only if its terms and the eventual care plan suit your situation. Check expiry dates, refund rules, permitted locations and what happens if fewer sessions are needed. A lower per-session figure can still mean a larger upfront payment for appointments you may not use. https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#faq-2 ### Do I need a GP referral for NHS physiotherapy? Local arrangements differ. Some NHS physiotherapy services accept self-referrals, while others require a referral from a healthcare professional. Ask your GP surgery or the relevant local service which route applies and what information is required. A private booking has its own separate access and payment terms. https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-physiotherapy-costs/#faq-3 ## Sources - [Bupa: physiotherapy appointment prices](https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/payg/physiotherapy) — Provider or specialist organisation - [NHS: physiotherapy access](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/physiotherapy/) — NHS or public authority - [HCPC: check a physiotherapist’s registration](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/) — Regulator ## Related guides - https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/prepare-for-healthcare-appointment/ - https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-healthcare-cost-checklist/ - https://www.med-easy.co.uk/guides/private-health-insurance-vs-self-pay/