Why do we need credit/debit card details?

The details are required by us to cover any insurance shortfall or hospital charges you may incur (as described in the terms and conditions).

You have never asked for my card details when I have made appointments in the past?

It is Nuffield Health’s policy to request these details. Similar to when you book or check into a hotel.

Which credit/debit cards do you accept?

All major credit and debit cards are accepted.

I don’t have a credit/debit card?

We adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) which means you are protected from fraud. These standards were developed by the large card providers including Visa and MasterCard? Although the card is swiped its converted to a token and this is what is stored in our systems. Tokenisation is used for securing sensitive data, such as a credit/debit card number and exchanging this for non-sensitive data (a token).

How long will you keep the card details for?

The Token of your card details will be kept in a secure Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) compliant environment for 12 months. If your treatment extends beyond this point you will be asked to refresh your details with us.

But I’ve already paid for my treatment so why, did I still need to give you credit/debit card details?

You may still incur extra charges which could include take-home medication, phone calls, visitors’ meals and other costs which may not be included in the terms agreed with us.

I’m an insured patient so why do I need to give you credit/debit card details?

There may still be items which are not covered by your insurance company, and these could include visitors’ meals, some treatments, outpatient pharmacy prescriptions and any insurance excesses or shortfalls.

My treatment is funded by the NHS, so why do I need to give you credit / debit card details?

You may incur personal expenses for items such as visitors’ meals or outpatient pharmacy prescriptions and these card details can be used to collect payment of any such sums of which you will be notified by the hospital.

What if I don’t incur any extra costs?

If you don’t incur any extra costs during your treatment, then we will not need to charge the card and the Tokenised card details will not be used.

Will I know if you are going to use the card details?

If we need to use the card details provided, Nuffield Health will already have notified you by sending an invoice prior to deducting the invoice amount.

What if I want to make a payment but not with the card, I have given you details for?

Please contact us directly on 0330 460 0099 to make alternative arrangements as and when you are informed of any outstanding charges.

Payments and authorisations by credit and debit card

Payments and authorisations

It is Nuffield Health’s Policy to collect card details as part of the booking process or at your initial hospital visit process
Your credit/debit card details will only be used to secure payment in the circumstances described in our T&Cs
Separate charges will be invoiced to you by your consultant – these will be billed separately to your Nuffield Health hospital invoice. If you have any queries about this, please contact the hospital before your appointment
For your peace of mind, if you incur any charges, we'll send you an invoice by letter, email or text message at least 10 days in advance before charging your card. If you’d like a receipt, please just let us know.

Private medical insurance

If you are covered by medical insurance, it's your responsibility to: 

Check with your insurer that you have adequate cover
Provide us with your insurer's pre-authorisation code for all services and treatments.

It's possible that you may have an excess on your policy, or some charges that may not be settled by your insurer or third party, which is why we request your card details. The hospital will notify you in the event of a shortfall by your insurer.

In the event that your insurance policy does not cover you, we will be pleased to discuss alternative arrangements.

Self-funded

If you are paying for yourself, your credit/debit card details will only be used to clear any unsettled balance on your account. 

Please note that consultation fees are a separate cost to tests and treatments.

Outstanding balances

This can include:

Extra tests and scans your doctor recommends, which are at an additional cost to your consultation fee
Services where we do not directly deal with your insurer
Services, charges, related expenses and any policy excess not covered, in whole or part, by your insurance company, or where you are paying for your own treatment, services, charges and related expenses not covered by the terms agreed for your treatment
Consultant or medical practitioner professional fees (where applicable).

Rest assured your card details are protected to keep them safe.

If you have any questions or concerns about payments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

FAQs

Why do we need credit/debit card details?

The details are required by us to cover any insurance shortfall or hospital charges you may incur (as described in the terms and conditions).
You have never asked for my card details when I have made appointments in the past?

It is Nuffield Health’s policy to request these details. Similar to when you book or check into a hotel.
Which credit/debit cards do you accept?

All major credit and debit cards are accepted.
I don’t have a credit/debit card?

We adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) which means you are protected from fraud. These standards were developed by the large card providers including Visa and MasterCard? Although the card is swiped its converted to a token and this is what is stored in our systems. Tokenisation is used for securing sensitive data, such as a credit/debit card number and exchanging this for non-sensitive data (a token).
How long will you keep the card details for?

The Token of your card details will be kept in a secure Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) compliant environment for 12 months. If your treatment extends beyond this point you will be asked to refresh your details with us.
But I’ve already paid for my treatment so why, did I still need to give you credit/debit card details?

You may still incur extra charges which could include take-home medication, phone calls, visitors’ meals and other costs which may not be included in the terms agreed with us.
I’m an insured patient so why do I need to give you credit/debit card details?

There may still be items which are not covered by your insurance company, and these could include visitors’ meals, some treatments, outpatient pharmacy prescriptions and any insurance excesses or shortfalls.
My treatment is funded by the NHS, so why do I need to give you credit / debit card details?

You may incur personal expenses for items such as visitors’ meals or outpatient pharmacy prescriptions and these card details can be used to collect payment of any such sums of which you will be notified by the hospital.
What if I don’t incur any extra costs?

If you don’t incur any extra costs during your treatment, then we will not need to charge the card and the Tokenised card details will not be used.
Will I know if you are going to use the card details?

If we need to use the card details provided, Nuffield Health will already have notified you by sending an invoice prior to deducting the invoice amount.
What if I want to make a payment but not with the card, I have given you details for?

Please contact us directly on 0330 460 0099 to make alternative arrangements as and when you are informed of any outstanding charges.