Private GP referral and prescription costs explained

Bupa’s published remote GP price was £59 for 15 minutes when checked on 20 October 2026. It also listed longer remote appointments at different prices. This is a dated example from a direct provider, not a promise that a short remote consultation is appropriate for every concern. Check the current Bupa appointment page and the booking details.

Compare the same appointment length and format across services. Ask what happens if a physical examination or a longer discussion is needed after a remote appointment, and whether a second booking would create another fee.

Ask whether the appointment fee includes issuing a clinically appropriate prescription, or whether there is an additional prescribing charge. The pharmacy’s charge for supplying the medicine is a separate question. Bupa states that medicine costs are not included in its GP appointment fee and are paid to the pharmacy.

Before agreeing to a recurring private arrangement, clarify repeat-prescription fees, the review schedule and who manages monitoring. Do not assume a prescription will be issued merely because an appointment has been paid for. The clinician must decide whether prescribing is appropriate and within the service’s scope.

When comparing a medicine quote, identify the exact medicine, strength, quantity and any delivery charge. This page does not provide medicine price comparisons; Med Easy’s dedicated weight-loss comparisons use Monj, iGovy, Ogovy and Dayo.

Ask whether a referral letter is included, whether the provider sends it directly and what information you receive. The letter is a request for another service to assess you; the next consultation or test can carry its own charge. If you plan to use insurance, confirm the insurer accepts the referral route before booking onward care.

Check whether extra documents are priced separately. Insurance forms, occupational reports and other letters may fall outside a routine appointment. Describe the document you need rather than asking only whether “letters are included”. That gives the booking team a specific service to confirm.

A private recommendation does not automatically become an NHS prescription, investigation or funded specialist appointment. Your NHS clinician needs the relevant information and must assess the appropriate route. The GMC’s shared-care guidance explains the responsibility involved when a clinician prescribes on another professional’s recommendation.

Ask the private GP how records will reach your usual practice with your permission. Bupa, for example, says its GPs can communicate recommendations to an NHS GP but cannot directly refer into NHS secondary care. That is the stated arrangement for that service, not a universal description of every private provider. Check the actual pathway before relying on it.

At the end of the appointment, establish who arranges any test, who explains the result and which clinician remains responsible for follow-up. Request an estimate before booking additional private work. Keep your appointment summary, referral and prescription information together so the next clinician can understand what has already happened.

Start with our private GP overview for the broader service options. For planning, use the cost checklist and read about NHS and private care. You can return to Find care or browse the free healthcare information library at any time.