Medical insurance provider

What does an operation cost if you don't have insurance?

When you take out a policy with a medical insurance provider you're protecting yourself against some rather nasty bills: even a routine operation can cost upwards of £1,000, and more complex treatment comes with a terrifying price tag. And remember: even if you do have insurance, some treatments aren't covered.

Medicine isn't cheap. When you take out a policy with a medical insurance provider it may seem like a lot of money, but even a simple operation is very expensive. For example, a hip replacement ranges from £5,900 to £10,500 depending on the provider and the complexity of the operation. Heart surgery, cancer treatment and other complex treatments can be ruinously expensive, while even a course of physiotherapy can cost hundreds of pounds.

Even if you have a policy with a medical insurance provider, some operations aren't covered: cosmetic surgery, for example, or non-essential treatments such as a vasectomy. According to Privatehealth.co.uk a vasectomy costs between £300 and £850 (reversal is even more expensive, at up to £2,350), while a circumcision can cost up to £1,500. Breast enlargement starts at £3,400 and costs up to £5,000, while liposuction can cost up to £5,500.