How do I make an appointment to see you privately?
You can book an appointment directly with Parkside appointment office-tel 0208 971 8026 and ask for a consultation with Prof Richard Pollok or discuss options with my practice manager. If you are using your medical insurance, at some point, you will need a referral letter from your GP.
Can I contact you before my first appointment?
Yes, simply contact my practice manager and she will arrange for me to speak to you.
Can I have an endoscopy or colonoscopy without a clinic appointment?
Yes this is possible, often a prior appointment is advantageous particularly to talk abouut the procedure in advance, if your’e not sure contact my practice manager for further information.
Will my medical insurance pay for my appointment to see you?
Most policies will pay for you to have an initial consultation although there is sometimes an ‘excess’ to pay-if in doubt check with your insurer before making an appointment. Remember to bring your insurance details to the first appointment.
If I don’t have insurance can I still see you privately?
Yes, you won’t require a GPs referral letter in this situation (although it is still worth asking for one) and you can book directly or via my secretary directly on 07564 186426 to enquire about self-pay packages.
Can I make a NHS appointment to see you?
Yes, if you live in the south west London area, ask your GP to make a referral
What are the procedure codes I need to give to my insurers?
Gastroscopy G6500, Colonoscopy H2002, Flexible sigmoidoscopy H2502
Will my medical insurance pay for my appointment to see you?
The amount of cover provided by each insurer differs, so please check the level of cover your medical insurance provides with your insurer before making an appointment. Remember to bring your insurance details including membership number and any authorisation reference code to the first appointment. Please update us should your insurance details change.
If I require further treatment who contacts my insurance company to advise them?
It’s your responsibility to contact your insurance company, keep them informed of your treatment and if required obtain their authorisation. If necessary, your insurer will then contact us for further information. The insurers may require details of the procedure(s) you need. THey are as follows: Gastroscopy G6500, Colonoscopy H2002, Flexible sigmoidoscopy H2502
If I’m insured will you invoice my insurance company directly?
Provided you give us your insurance details, we will send all invoices directly to your insurers unless otherwise instructed by you.
What happens if I have an excess or shortfall on my insurance policy?
There may be an ‘excess’ to pay or fees that your insurers do not cover. If in doubt, please contact your insurers as you’ll need to settle any fees they do not cover. You will be advised by your insurers if an excess has been deducted. Once notified well ask you to settle the outstanding balance directly with us.
I am an insured patient with an excess to pay. How do you take payment?
To make a payment by credit/debit card, please call the practice office on 07564 186426 to arrange payment. Please note there is no additional fee for payments by debit card but there is a 1.85% fee for payments by credit card. Alternatively cheques should be made payable to ‘Dr Richard Pollok’, and submitted c/o Parkside Hospital.
I have been referred for diagnostic tests. Are the costs of these included in my consultation?
No, please note that blood tests, radiology tests such as CT, MRI or Ultrasound are provided by the hospital directly. Respective costs of these tests can be obtained from Parkside Hospital on 020 8971 8000 extn 8012. You may prefer to get some preliminary test arranged through your GP and bring them along to your first consultation.
I don’t have insurance. How do you take payment?
We will invoice you directly for consultations. To make a payment by debit/credit card, please call my Secretary on 07564 186426. Please note there is no additional fee for payments by debit card but there is a 1.85% fee applies to payments by credit card. Alternatively cheques should be made payable to ‘Dr Richard Pollok’, and submitted c/o Parkside Hospital.
If you are booked in for an endoscopy (procedure code G6500) or colonoscopy (procedure code H2002), you can be booked in for a fixed price package at Parkside Hospital which includes my fees and the hospital fees for the procedure(s). Parkside Hospital normally takes payment for this in advance of your visit to hospital or on the day of attendance prior to the procedure. Please note your initial consultation and any follow-up consultations are not included in the fixed price package.