Private medical insurance - how does it work? How do I get referred? Never used it before!

[MaresyDotes]

DH gets private medical insurance for the whole family through his company. We have always had our normal NHS doctor (super-convenient as we live literally about three minutes walk from the surgery). I needed to see a physio and it took nearly 2 months to get an appointment; now I need to see another 'specialist' and DH suggested I get a private referral.

I already have an appointment to see my regular doctor next week, how do I go about asking for a referral for private treatment? I have absolutely no idea how all this works!

Ask the Gp for a referral letter then call the private hospital to make an appointment

Phone the insurers, ask them which specialists that they work with locally and get an approval code, go to GP, ask to be referred to DrX (your choice from the covered ones), then ring the specialists sec for an appointment.

So my GP just gives me a letter and then I make all the appointments etc? Do I actually get the referral letter from the GP, or does she send it to the specialist? Sorry I don't mean to sound thick , just making sure I have it right.

GP will send the letter to the specialist direct

Oh that's a relief - had visions of GP handing me a letter and then having to search for my own specialist!

Thanks CMOT.