Appointments
Through our reception team Telephone 01628 620 897
Opening Times:
Monday and Tues......9.30am - 7.00pm
Wednesday ...............9.00am - 1.00pm
Thursday ...................9.30am - 6.00pm
Friday ........................9.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday.....................9.00am - 1.00pm
The first consultation is usually a 40-60 minute session and includes taking down all the details of your symptoms, what happened, and any relevant past medical history.
A physical examination then follows and, after the results are discussed with you, treatment may be started.
A follow-up consultation usually lasts about 20-30minutes.
Fees
Initial Consultation and First treatment:
£50.00
Subsiquent Treatments:
£40.00
Terms:
Please note that we will ask you to settle your treatment fee at the time of each visit, whether or not you intend to reclaim our fees from your PHI (private health insurance) company. Generally, we prefer that you settle treatment fees directly with us and then claim from your insurance company, using the detailed receipts we provide for this purpose.
However payment is made, we will ask you to confirm that you are personally responsible for the payment of ALL fees.
We prefer payment by means of cash or by debit or credit card (NB: we are unable to accept AmEx cards).
A personal cheque, supported by a valid bank card can be accepted, but only if there is no alternative.
Private Health Insurance claims
We are providers for most PHI companies. However, it's best to first check with your insurer's help desk to confirm that the osteopath treating you is in fact registered with your company and that your particular scheme will cover fees for osteopathic treatment.
We would also advise you to confirm in advance with your PHI that they agree that your claim is valid and obtain a claim, or pre-authorisation, number. The advisor will also tell you whether or not your GP needs to sign your claim form before your first visit to us.
Note that some schemes may impose an excess whereby you may have to pay for the first couple of treatments, or up to a pre-arranged amount, out of your own pocket.
With some other schemes, there may be a limit to the cost or number of treatment sessions covered by your scheme. (In practice, we rarely exceed such limits.)
If you are a BUPA subscriber, you may request that our fees be claimed directly from the company, but currently ONLY for treatment by Oliver Cox.
If your are with AXA/PPP you may request direct payment of fees for treatment by either of the osteopaths at The Osteopathic Centre
With all other insurance companies we ask our patients to settle treatment fees at the end of each session at the time of each visit, as we do not invoice directly any PHI companies other than BUPA or AXA/PPP. Receipted invoices are supplied for this purpose.
In pre-agreed claims, your PHI will often let your osteopath complete and sign your claim form as your specialist.
And finally, don't forget that your spouse or partner's insurance may also cover your Osteopathic treatment fees!
Keeping & cancelling appointments
Please do try to give us at least 24 hours' notice of any change in the agreed appointment time.
In the case of a late cancellation (less than 24 hours from the time arranged), unless your time slot is subsequently taken by another patient, we will charge you a £25 late cancellation fee.
If you do not cancel your appointment and do not turn up, there will be a £35 - £40 FULL FEE missed appointment charge.
Outside normal practice hours, please leave a message on our 24-hour telephone answering service.
Time keeping:
Your osteopath will try to keep to the pre-arranged appointment schedule but, during the course of a morning or evening session, certain cases may require more time and so you may be asked to wait a little. If you have a tight schedule, please telephone to see if we are running on time.
