Non-NHS Fees
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The NHS provides most health care to most people free of charge but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951 and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover the cost of treatment, e.g. dental fees; in others because the service is not covered by the NHS, e.g. providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies
Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?
It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc, the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The Government’s contract with the GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. In recent years, however, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services which GPs can charge their own NHS patients are:
- Accident/sickness certificates for insurance services
- Holiday insurance certificates
- Reports to health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
- Reports for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions, e.g. a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work for their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, e.g. for insurance purposes, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The BMA suggests fees that GPs may charge their patients for non-NHS work (i.e. work not covered under their contract with the NHS) in order to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees suggested by the BMA are intended for guidance only; they are not recommendations and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates the BMA suggests.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
The time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes and increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.
I only need the doctor’s signature – what is the problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General medical Council (GMC) or even the Police.
What will I be charged?
The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and what the fee will be. It is up to individual doctors to decide how much they charge. Our surgery has a list of fees in the waiting rooms, at reception and on the website www.yorkhousemedicalcentre.co.uk
What can I do to help?
Do not expect your doctor to process forms overnight; urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process a form that may cost more. Please complete your parts of the form in advance. Please present your form to reception rather than the doctor. The receptionists will guide you through the process.
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for Fees 2010/11