HAVE you ever wondered how much you’ve cost the NHS?
From fractured bones to missed GP appointments, and medicines to 999 calls, you may not realise how much it adds up.
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How do I find out how much I have cost the NHS?
The NHS, which stands for National Health Service, is a public service built to help people living in the UK.
It is there to improve individuals’ mental and physical health throughout their entire lives.
In 2022/23, the central administration budget for NHS England was set at £608million.
But how much of that budget have you spent so far, or how much have you cost the NHS in previous years?
In 2017, GoCompare.com created an interactive tool that allows users to calculate how much the NHS has spent on their treatments, including GP appointments, prescriptions, operations and A&E visits.
All you have to do is open The Bill of Health tool, put in your data and press calculate – you will then see what you have personally cost the NHS.
According to the calculator, common services such as GP appointments and prescriptions cost between £41.35 and £45, while simply calling 999 can add £64.59 to your bill.
The cost of giving birth can also see your total rise quite drastically, with a caesarean section costing almost £1,800 more than a natural birth.
You can also find out how much you contribute to the NHS each year by inputting your annual salary.
What are the most expensive procedures on the NHS?
As life expectancy in the UK increases, there is a good chance that you are going to require surgery at some stage in your life.
From taking out tonsils to performing brain surgery – the NHS does it all.
However, it comes at quite the cost.
The most expensive surgery that the NHS carries out is “very complex intracranial procedures, 18 years and under, with CC Score 12+”.
An example of this type of procedure is brain surgery performed on children, which costs £40,936. For adults, it costs £22,469.
The second most expensive procedure is Bilateral cochlear implants to help those with hearing difficulties. These cost £37,904.
The third most expensive procedure is what is known as complex instrumented correction of spinal deformity.
If this procedure is performed on a patient aged 19 and over, with a CC Score 7+, then the total amount billed to the NHS will be £35,106.
Is the NHS free?
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions, such as prescriptions.
Patients also often contribute towards the cost of their dental care, eye care, wigs and fabric support.
However, some patients do not have to pay these costs – such as those with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), benefit award notice, or an exemption certificate.
You can check if you’re entitled to claim for free treatment or prescriptions on the NHS website.
