Private Patients with Insurance | Dr Kevin Pankhurst

Psychiatric Treatment for Private Patients in Surrey, Berkshire & London
Dr Kevin Pankhurst

If you hold private health insurance, you may be able to use your policy to cover the cost of psychiatric treatment — and my practice is experienced in helping patients navigate the process smoothly. I am registered with all of the major health insurance providers, including Aviva, AXA, Bupa, Cigna, Simplyhealth, Prudential, Benenden, and WPA, and I welcome insured patients at my clinics in Esher (Surrey), Guildford, and Maidenhead (Berkshire), as well as via virtual appointment. Whether you are seeking a first assessment or ongoing support, my aim is to make the insurance process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Before booking, I always recommend contacting your insurer directly to confirm that psychiatric treatment is covered under your specific policy and to obtain a pre-authorisation number. This small step at the outset can avoid uncertainty later. My fees are consistent with those recommended within all major health insurers' guidelines, so in most cases your treatment will be covered in full or with only a small contribution from you.
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‍How to Use Your Insurance — Step by Step
‍Using health insurance for private psychiatric treatment may feel unfamiliar at first, but the process is well-established and my practice team is here to guide you at every stage. Below is a straightforward sequence to follow before and after you make contact with me.

‍1.Check your policy — Contact your insurer to confirm that psychiatric treatment is covered under your policy. Ask specifically about any annual excess (the amount you pay before cover activates) and whether there is any shortfall between my fees and your insurer's approved rate.
‍2.Obtain a pre-authorisation number — Do this before booking your appointment. Your insurer will advise what information they need from you and, in most cases, will issue an authorisation number promptly.
‍3.Get a GP referral letter — Most insurers require a formal referral from your GP before they will authorise treatment. Contact your GP and ask for a referral to Dr Kevin Pankhurst, Consultant Psychiatrist.
‍4.Contact the practice — Call 0800 233 5102 or email enquiries@pankhurstpsychiatry.co.uk with your authorisation number to book your appointment at the clinic most convenient for you — Esher, Guildford, or Maidenhead — or to arrange a virtual appointment.
‍5.Attend your appointment — Where possible, fees are submitted directly to your insurer on your behalf, so you can focus on your care rather than the paperwork.

With more than 30 years of experience as a Consultant Psychiatrist, I have helped a great many patients across Surrey, Berkshire, and the wider London area use their insurance confidently. If you have any questions at any point in this process, please do not hesitate to get in touch — my team will be happy to assist.

‍Understanding Your Policy — Excesses and Shortfalls
‍Most private health insurance policies include an annual excess — an amount you are required to pay yourself before your cover begins. In addition, some policies do not cover the full fee for a given appointment, leaving a "shortfall" between what your insurer pays and the total cost. I would always encourage you to clarify both of these figures with your insurer before booking, so that you know exactly where you stand and there are no unexpected costs. If your policy does not cover everything, you are very welcome to discuss self-funding the difference, or to switch to self-funding entirely — please contact my team to find out more about our self-funding options.
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‍What If I Don't Have a GP, or My GP Won't Refer Me?
‍Most insurers do require a GP referral as a condition of authorising treatment, but I understand that this is not always straightforward. If you do not currently have a registered GP, or if your GP is unwilling to provide a referral, please contact my practice directly to discuss your options. In some circumstances, insurers will accept a self-referral for psychiatric assessment, and my team will help you understand what is possible with your specific provider. There is always a route forward, and I encourage you to get in touch rather than assuming that treatment is out of reach.

‍Virtual Appointments and Insurance
‍Virtual (video) appointments are available for both initial assessments and follow-up consultations, and are offered across all three of my clinic locations — Esher, Guildford, and Maidenhead. If you are based in London or elsewhere and prefer to consult remotely, this is a straightforward option. However, if you intend to use your health insurance, I would encourage you to check with your insurer whether video appointments are covered under your specific policy, as coverage for virtual consultations can vary between providers. My practice team can advise further if needed.

‍What to Expect at Your First Appointment
‍Your initial assessment will typically last 60 minutes, giving us the time and space to work through your concerns properly. I will listen carefully, take a detailed personal and medical history, and discuss your symptoms and circumstances in a relaxed, confidential setting — whether you attend in person at one of my clinics or join virtually. Following your appointment, you will receive a comprehensive written report that can be shared with your insurer and your GP, providing a clear record of my assessment and any recommendations for treatment. My aim is always that you leave — or log off — feeling heard, informed, and confident in the next steps.

‍Payment and Authorisation
‍Where private health cover is in place, if you do not have an authorisation number at the time of your appointment, payment will be required upfront and you can then seek reimbursement directly from your insurer. I would always recommend securing your authorisation number in advance to avoid this, and my team is happy to help if you need guidance on obtaining one.

‍Cancellation Policy
‍I ask that appointments are cancelled with as much notice as possible. Appointments cancelled within 24 hours, or missed without notice, will be charged at the full appointment fee. Cancellations made with at least 48 hours' notice will be charged at 50% of the full appointment fee. If you are unsure whether your insurer covers cancellation charges, please check your policy in advance.

‍Ready to Book?
‍If you are ready to book or would like to check whether your insurance covers treatment with Dr Pankhurst, please get in touch. The practice team will be happy to help you navigate the process and answer any questions before you commit to an appointment. Clinics are based in Esher (Surrey), Guildford, and Maidenhead (Berkshire), with virtual appointments also available.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my insurance covers private psychiatric treatment?
‍The simplest way is to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card or log in to your insurer's online portal. Ask specifically whether outpatient psychiatric consultations are covered and whether a GP referral is required. It is also worth asking about any excess or shortfall that may apply, so you know your likely out-of-pocket costs before you book.
‍Which insurance providers does Dr Pankhurst work with?
‍I am registered with, and accept patients from, all of the major health insurance providers: Aviva, AXA, Bupa, Cigna, Simplyhealth, Prudential, Benenden, and WPA. If your insurer is not on this list, please contact the practice and I will do my best to accommodate you — in some cases an arrangement can still be made, or self-funding may be a straightforward alternative.
‍What is an authorisation number and how do I get one?
‍An authorisation number (sometimes called a pre-authorisation or pre-auth reference) is a code issued by your insurer to confirm that they have approved funding for your treatment. You obtain it by contacting your insurer directly, usually by phone, and providing your membership details, the name of the specialist you wish to see (Dr Kevin Pankhurst, Consultant Psychiatrist), and — if required — a copy of your GP referral letter. Please have this number ready when you contact my practice to book.
‍Do I need a GP referral to use my insurance?
‍In most cases, yes. The majority of health insurers require a formal referral letter from a GP before they will issue an authorisation number for outpatient psychiatric treatment. I would always recommend contacting your insurer first to confirm exactly what they need. If obtaining a GP referral is difficult, please read the section above or contact my practice directly — there are often alternative routes available.
‍What if my policy has an excess or I am told there will be a shortfall?
‍If your policy has an annual excess, you will be responsible for paying that amount before your insurance cover activates. A shortfall arises when your insurer's approved rate is lower than my fee, meaning a small balance remains payable by you. In either case, I encourage you to clarify the figures with your insurer before booking. If costs are a concern, please do get in touch — we can discuss self-funding arrangements, which many patients find flexible and straightforward.
‍Can I switch to self-funding if my insurance doesn't cover everything?
‍Yes, absolutely. Some patients choose to self-fund part or all of their treatment, either because their policy does not cover everything or because they prefer not to make a claim. My practice welcomes both insured and self-funding patients, and my team can talk you through the options so you can decide what works best for you. Please see the self-funding page for further information.
‍Are virtual appointments covered by insurance?
‍Virtual appointments are available for both initial assessments and follow-up consultations, and many insurers do cover video consultations in the same way as in-person appointments. However, this is not universal, and coverage for virtual appointments can vary between providers and policies. I always recommend checking with your insurer directly before booking a video appointment to confirm that it will be covered under your specific plan.
‍What is your cancellation policy?
‍I ask for as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or rearrange. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed without any notice, will be charged at the full appointment fee. Cancellations made with at least 48 hours' notice will be charged at 50% of the full fee. If your insurer covers cancellation charges, this may be claimable — please check your policy documents for details.Navigating health insurance can feel complicated, but you do not have to manage it alone. Whether you are based in Esher, Guildford, Maidenhead, or further afield across Surrey, Berkshire, or London, my practice team is here to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible — so that your focus can be where it belongs: on getting the support you need.