"How much will it cost?" If your team can't answer in one message, the patient asks someone else.
Self-pay patients want a clear, all-in price before they book. Give your team the answers so every quote is quick, consistent and complete.
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Most people reading this tick at least one.
It only takes one to cost you.
- steps
- 7
- steps
- to start
- 2 to 4 weeks, hospitals vary
- to start
The short answer
Private prices combine consultant, hospital and anaesthetist fees, so nobody owns the full number. Build one price list with your consultant and each hospital's self-pay team, say exactly what is included and excluded, and give the team a quote template. Then answer every price enquiry the same day and follow up once.
What good looks like
Where you stand, before and after
One price list the whole team uses
- Quotes include everything
- Replies go out the same day
Illustrative sample, not a real person or result.
7 steps
Do it yourself: step by step
0 of 7 done
With the consultant, list consultation, follow-up, common tests and the top procedures. For each procedure, get the hospital's all-inclusive self-pay package price in writing from its self-pay team
- Time
- 2 to 4 weeks, hospitals vary
- Typical cost
- Free
- Who does it
- Practice manager and consultant
Done when: A price list covering at least 90% of enquiries
This problem is Solvable.
Copy this table
Self-pay price list and quote template
Free to copy, adapt and use. No sign-up.
Self-pay price list: [consultant name], valid from [date]
| Item | Site | Price | Includes | Excludes | Who can quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New consultation | [hospital] | £ | Consultant's time, [length] mins | Tests, scans | Reception |
| Follow-up | [hospital] | £ | Reception | ||
| [Test, e.g. ultrasound] | [hospital] | £ | Scan and report | Reception | |
| [Procedure 1] package | [hospital] | £ | Surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre, [day case / nights], [implant], follow-ups for [weeks] | Pre-op tests if needed, treatment of complications after [weeks] | Reception |
| [Procedure 2] package | £ | Reception | |||
| [Procedure 3] package | £ | Reception | |||
| Anything else | Consultant |
Last checked with hospitals: [date]
---
Quote template
Subject: Your quote for [procedure] with [consultant name]
Dear [patient name],
Thank you for asking about [procedure].
Initial consultation: £[amount] at [hospital].
If treatment is recommended, the package price is £[amount]. It includes [list]. It does not include [list]. If [consultant name] recommends anything else after assessing you, we will give you the cost in writing before it goes ahead.
This quote is valid for [90] days.
Next available consultation: [date and time].
Insurers that recognise [consultant name]: [list]. If you are insured, please check your policy, especially your outpatient cover.
Financial interests: [consultant name] [has no financial interest / has a financial interest of (details)] in [hospital, facility or equipment].
More information: [standard PHIN wording from the hospital's CMA fee template] www.phin.org.uk
To book, reply to this email or call [number].
Kind regards, [Name], on behalf of [consultant name]
Note for the team: this quote covers the outpatient fee information in Article 22.3 of the CMA Order only when every line above is completed. Before further tests or treatment, the consultant must send a separate written estimate (Article 22.4). Use the hospital's CMA fee template if it has one.
---
Three-day follow-up
Dear [patient name], I wanted to check you received our quote for [procedure] and see if you had any questions. We still have availability on [date]. [Name]
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Quoting the consultant fee only, so the hospital bill arrives as a surprise.
- Every quote needing the consultant's approval, so replies take days.
- Not saying how long a quote is valid.
- Using hospital package prices that changed months ago.
- Never following up a patient who went quiet after a quote.
Free personal check
Done by Paul Robinson, not software
I'll ask your practice for a self-pay price as a patient and report what I'm told
What I need from you
- Your consent
- The phone number or enquiry form patients use
- The procedure you want me to ask about
What you get
- What happened, step by step
- How clear and complete the quote was
- The three changes that matter most
Within 2 working days
No sign-in, no sales call. I read every request myself and reply on WhatsApp.
Free tools
Check where you stand
Benchmarks
Before consultation and before treatment
Consultants must give written fee information when an outpatient appointment is confirmed (fee estimate, financial interests, recognising insurers, insured-cover line, PHIN wording), and a treatment estimate within two working days of the final outpatient consultation, or before surgery if sooner
Source: CMA Private Healthcare Market Investigation Order 2014, Article 22 (as amended)
+7.7%
Growth in self-pay private admissions, Q1 2026 compared with Q1 2025
Source: PHIN private market update
Paul Robinson
14 years in UK private healthcare
I solve this one for practice managers
Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes. I read every one myself and usually reply the same day.
No sales call unless you ask for one. Just a straight answer from me.
I reply personally, usually the same day.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What if the price depends on the assessment?
Give the typical package price and say clearly that it will be confirmed in writing after consultation, before treatment.
The hospital will not give us package prices.
Ask for the self-pay or package team directly. Most hospital groups have one. If not, ask for the hospital's typical charge for that procedure and length of stay.
Should prices go on the website?
Publishing consultation and typical package prices reduces calls and builds trust. It must match what the team quotes, and the headline price should include every charge the patient cannot avoid.
How long should a quote be valid?
Commonly 60 to 90 days (Solvable estimate). Long enough to decide, short enough to reflect price changes.
Do we have to give fees in writing?
Yes. Article 22 of the CMA Order requires two things. When an outpatient appointment is confirmed: the estimated consultation fee (a range is fine if you explain what drives it), any financial interest the consultant has in the facility or equipment, which insurers recognise the consultant, a line telling insured patients to check their cover, and PHIN's website with the standard wording. Before further tests or treatment, within two working days of the final consultation or before surgery if sooner: the reason, an estimate of all consultant fees charged separately from the hospital (or contact details for any consultant whose fees are not included), and what is not covered. A quote email only does this job if it includes every item. Most hospitals supply a CMA fee template. This is general information, not legal advice. Your hospital's compliance team or a healthcare regulatory lawyer can confirm what applies.
Last reviewed:
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