A self-employed contractor went from first consultation to robotic hip surgery in 42 days, back on site in 14 weeks — and why the wording mattered.
How a comprehensive individual policy delivered a private hip replacement in six weeks
First consultation to surgery in 42 days. Robotic-assisted THR at Spire. Twelve weeks of physiotherapy. Back on site in 14 weeks — versus a 44-week NHS wait.
Client profile
55-year-old self-employed civil engineering contractor in West Yorkshire. Sole income earner. PMI purchased at age 48 through PremierPMI after his brother waited 18 months for the same operation.
The problem
- The client developed progressive right hip pain over 18 months, escalating from stiffness to functional limitation and sleep disturbance.
- NHS RTT wait for hip replacement in his region was quoted at 44 weeks — impossible for a sole trader with no sick pay.
- His prior comprehensive The Exeter Health+ policy covered musculoskeletal in-full including robotic-assisted surgery.
What PremierPMI did
- Adviser reviewed policy schedule to confirm robotic-assisted THR was in cover.
- Booked orthopaedic consultation with a specialist consultant at Spire within 6 working days.
- Managed pre-authorisation for MRI, surgery and 15 physiotherapy sessions.
- Coordinated hospital admission timing around client's project handover dates.
How the case unfolded
| Point in time | What happened |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | GP referral issued |
| Day 6 | Orthopaedic consultation at Spire — MRI referred |
| Day 12 | MRI confirms end-stage osteoarthritis |
| Day 22 | Pre-op assessment and surgery date confirmed |
| Day 42 | Robotic-assisted total hip replacement (MAKO) |
| Day 44 | Discharged home, ambulant with crutches |
| Day 56 | Physiotherapy commenced (2x per week, 6 weeks then 1x for 6 weeks) |
| Day 98 | Full weight-bearing, driving, light work |
| Day 112 (Week 16) | Full return to site work with no pain |
Outcome
- Total treatment value £24,850, funded in full by The Exeter Health+ policy less £150 excess.
- Client back to full earning capacity 30 weeks earlier than the NHS pathway would have permitted — estimated income protection value £42,000+.
- The Exeter did not increase premium at renewal beyond standard age indexation.
Outcome in numbers
- First consultation to surgery: 42 days
- NHS wait alternative: 44 weeks
- Total treatment value funded: ~£24,850
- Monthly premium at time of surgery: £142.30
- Estimated income protection value: £42,000+
- Weeks earlier back to work vs NHS: 30 weeks
In the client's words
“I am a one-man band. If I do not work, no one pays me. Waiting nearly a year for a hip on the NHS would have finished my business. My PremierPMI adviser had me in front of a surgeon in six days and on the operating table in six weeks. Best decision I ever made.” — Anonymised client, West Yorkshire — The Exeter Health+ individual policy
Policy cost at the time of placement: £142.30. Illustrative — premiums are individually underwritten.
PremierPMI is a UK private medical insurance broker specialising in whole-of-market placement across 10+ leading UK health insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom Health, The Exeter, General & Medical and National Friendly. FCA regulated (Tesha Family Ltd, FRN 1029667). Speak to a broker on 020 4525 0884, WhatsApp 020 8064 2273, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.
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