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Statement for insured patients to clarify terms and conditions for the surgeon fee (medical fees):

Some insurance companies have not increased medical fees in line with inflation for very many years – which, in some cases, has opened a considerable gap with self-pay rates i.e. the health insurance company’s ‘recommended medical fee schedule’ may not reflect present market rates which means you may be under-insured for surgery with some consultants. It appears that some health insurance patients are not always clearly informed about this situation.

For insured patients – some of whom may be under-insured for the medical fee rates – should be transparently advised that they can choose to see a doctor / surgeon who may have signed-up to agree to a particular insurance company’s own medical fee structure. There is no evidence that the care provided by such doctors / surgeons would be in any way inferior to doctors / surgeons – such as Mr Blackburn – who use their own independent fee structure.

Prior to any procedure, the surgeon fees will be communicated transparently in writing to the patient in advance. Mr Blackburn also publishes indicative costs for consultation and many indicative procedures at www.facialsurgerymanchester.co.uk . If a patient wishes to use their health insurance for medical / surgical care, it is a matter for the patient to discuss their level of insurance cover with their insurer and then make a decision as to whether they wish to proceed or not. These terms and conditions take precedence over those of the health insurance company in that care is provided to the patient and not the insurance company. Outpatient consultation fees are invoiced at or after the appointments. If there is a shortfall in the level of health insurance cover for an operative surgical fee, responsibility for this cost difference would pass to the patient to pay who has commissioned and received the medical service.