Private physiotherapy costs: first appointment and full course

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.