How do I arrange private tonsil surgery for my eight-year-old?

[Bearsnecessities]

Hi, ladies.
i am hoping someone can help. My son is nearly 8 and has chronic tonsillitis. He started getting tummy aches, which the doctors think it’s related. Recently, the doctors said that, for him to be referred for surgery, he would have to take 7 courses of antibiotics and have a history of at least 3 courses last year. He has private health insurance, and I would like him to have surgery privately, I just don’t know how it works. Can someone please help? I am not from this country and I don’t know where to start. Thank you

Call the private health insurance contact line and they will tell you how to go about it

You usually need a referral letter from a GP in order to use your cover. Are you able to arrange a private GP appointment through your insurance?

You can literally just search online for private hospitals and paediatric ENT and pick whichever you like. Some will ask for a private referral letter from your GP but not all so.

You may well find that any private ent surgeon will use the same criteria that they do in the nhs for suggesting surgery.

Your insurance company will want a referral from your GP. They don’t usually mind emailing you a brief letter. Otherwise, your insurance company will have a private GP you can talk to. They always give you the referral. Without a referral the insurance won’t pay.

Find an ENT specialist, they write the referral and can often do the surgery themselves.

I’m in Scotland and my Dd got her tonsils removed privately. However, we couldn’t even have a consultation at the private hospital without getting a referral letter from the GP saying she was on the nhs waiting list

Your insurance company should be able to tell you which private hospitals/ENT specialists are covered. You can also ask your GP for a referral if the insurer requires one.

See GP and ask for a private referral to ENT.
The ENT surgeon will decide if he or she feels it is necessary and clinically indicated.
You may get a no if it isn't.