Hip replacement finance options – a guide

NHS-funded hip replacements

The NHS covers the cost of some hip replacement surgery when it is deemed medically necessary. If your doctor recommends the procedure, you can be referred to an NHS hospital. Waiting times for elective NHS procedures can vary, so it’s important to discuss the timeline with your healthcare provider.

Private hip replacement payment options

One easy way of bypassing the long hip replacement NHS waiting lists is to go private. Private healthcare also allows you to schedule your surgery at a time that suits you. It can also offer more personalised care and comfortable facilities.

You can finance a private hip replacement through health insurance or by paying for yourself.

Health insurance for hip surgery

If you have private health insurance, review your policy to understand the coverage for hip replacement surgery. Some policies cover the entire cost, while others may require you to pay a percentage. Contact your insurance provider to clarify the specifics of your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

At Practice Plus Group, we offer treatment to patients providing their cover is with one of the following insurers:

• Aviva
• AXA Health
• The Exeter
• Freedom Health Insurance
• General & Medical Healthcare
• Healix Health Services
• VitalityHealth
• WPA.

Once you have a GP referral, call your insurer to let them know the recommended treatment and your preferred hospital to ensure you’re covered. After that, we can arrange an initial consultation.

Self-pay hip replacement

Alternatively, if you have some money set aside for emergencies, you could opt for self-pay private surgery. Self-pay simply means paying for your partial or total hip replacement surgery yourself with your own money or that of a friend or family member.

The benefits include:

• no debts or rising interest rates
• flexibility of one-off payment or pay-as-you-go finance options
• faster access to treatment within 4-6 weeks
• one dedicated consultant throughout your journey
• choose the time and date of your surgery.

Our fixed-price surgery includes:

• pre-operative assessment
• surgery
• any hospital stays required
• prescriptions
• equipment
• any follow-up appointments including physiotherapy.

If you’re paying for private healthcare yourself, payment must be made seven days before the start of your treatment. This must be done via credit, debit card, or BACS.

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Patient testimonial

“The waiting list on the NHS was about 12 months. I knew that waiting 12 months would weigh heavily on my mind and my way of life and that my physical and mental health would suffer as a result.

I didn’t want a year of enforced idleness and anguish, so my wife and I decided to have the operation at Practice Plus Group Shepton Mallet. They were also cheaper than other options – even than an NHS hospital in the region offering to treat privately.”

Ian Keys, Practice Plus Group hip replacement patient

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Financing your hip replacement with a loan

Another option is to apply for a loan.

With our finance payment option, you can spread the cost of your surgery using our interest-free and low APR finance options.

Our finance options are available through Chrysalis, our finance partner. Finance is available over 12 monthly payments at 0% or longer-term options are available from 36-60 months with 14.9% APR.

Before applying for finance, make sure you can comfortably keep up with monthly repayments. Other terms and conditions apply. For example, to be eligible, you or your partner must:

• be in full-time employment
• self-employed
• retired and over 50
• or in recipient of a regular and consistent income
• be over 18 years of age when your Finance Payment Plan starts
• have lived in the UK for at least the last three years.

Whichever payment method you choose, we’re here to help answer any questions or concerns about your hip surgery. Get in touch with our team for more information.