Specialist recognition

It is our policy to request written evidence that individual practitioners fulfil the conditions outlined under the terms of our membership agreements which require that all treatment be carried out by a clinician recognised for benefit purposes by AXA PPP healthcare.

In order to be recognised for benefit purposes, specialists and practitioners must meet our recognition criteria relevant to their individual specialty and the treatments they provide. To view these criteria, download application packs and view our business guidelines, select your specialty from the list below.

If your specialty is not listed e.g. chiropody, it is likely that your services are not eligible for benefit under the terms of our member policies. As such, recognition status cannot be considered.

Please ensure that all application forms are completed in full and returned to the Specialist Recognition Team (see contact us). For your information, AXA PPP healthcare's current terms of business are to make payments by direct settlement of eligible charges to the individual clinician via BACS (Banks Automated Clearing System). Payments to any bank accounts that are not in the name of the recognised clinician are not permissible unless we have a formal agreement with the third party e.g. an out-patient clinic.

Once your application has been considered for recognition, you will be advised of the outcome in writing including the date on which your recognition becomes effective. Please note that any offer is entirely discretionary and AXA PPP healthcare reserves the right to revoke this decision.

Acupuncturist (Medical)

A medical practitioner who satisfies all the following criteria:

Full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice
an accredited member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS),
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Anaesthetist

A medical pracitioner who has full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice and whose current position is one of the following:

a substantive appointment as a consultant in their speciality within the NHS or Armed Forces or;
a substantive appointment as a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in the medical faculty of a UK University awarding a primary registrable qualification under the Medical Acts, with a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Consultant in that specialty in the NHS
an independent practitioner, working solely in private practice, who can provide evidence of a previously held substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS

In addition to fulfilling all of the following criteria:

whose name is currently held on the Specialist Register of the GMC in a specialty which we recognise for benefit under our plans,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Chiropractor

We are currently not accepting any applications from Chiropractors. For an explanation as to why please visit our commonly asked questions page

Dietician

An individual who satisfies all the following criteria:

current, full registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC),
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Homeopath (Medical)

A medical practitioner who satisfies all the following criteria:

Full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice,
whose name is currently held on the specialist register of the Faculty of Homeopathy,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains and current professional indemnity insurance for the treatnents they provide.

Musculoskeletal Medicine

A medical pracitioner who satsfies all of the following criteria:

Full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice,
awarded a UK Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine (Dip MS Med),
has completed 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time practice in musculoskeletal medicine, post Diploma certification,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Nurse Specialist

An individual who retains current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and holds a certificate in one of the following areas of expertise:

breast care
diabetic care
incontinence
lymphatic drainage
stoma care.

In addition the individual must also satisfy the following criteria:

that their practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Orthoptist

An individual who satisfies the following criteria:

current, full registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC),
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Osteopath

We are currently not accepting any applications from Osteopaths. For an explanation as to why please visit our commonly asked questions page

Pathologist

A medical practitioner who has full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice and whose current position is one of the following:

a substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS or Armed Forces,
a substantive appointment as a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in the medical faculty of a UK University awarding a primary registrable qualification under the Medical Acts, with a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Consultant in that specialty in the NHS,
an independent practitioner, working solely in private practice, who can provide evidence of a previously held substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS.

In addition the medical practititoner must fulfill all of the following criteria:

their name held on the Specialist Register of the GMC in a specialty which we recognise for benefit under our plans,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Physiotherapist

We are currently not accepting any applications from physiotherapists. For an explanation as to why please visit our commonly asked questions page

Podiatric Surgeon

An individual who satisfies all of the following criteria:

retains current full registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC),
has attained a Fellowship in Surgery of the College of Podiatrists [FC Pod (S)],
holds a substantive post as a Consultant Podiatrist or Consultant in Podiatric Surgery in the NHS,
appears on the approved list of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Physician

A medical practitioner who has full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice and whose current position is one of the following:

a substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS or Armed Forces,
a substantive appointment as a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in the medical faculty of a UK University awarding a primary registrable qualification under the Medical Acts, with a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Consultant in that specialty in the NHS,
an independent practitioner, working solely in private practice, who can provide evidence of a previously held substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS.

In addition the individual must fulfill all of the following criteria:

their name currently held on the Specialist Register of the GMC in a specialty which we recognise for benefit under our plans,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Psychiatrist

A medical practitioner who has full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice and whose current position is one of the following:

a substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS or Armed Forces,
a substantive appointment as a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in the medical faculty of a UK University awarding a primary registrable qualification under the Medical Acts, with a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Consultant in that specialty in the NHS,
an independent practitioner, working solely in private practice, who can provide evidence of a previously held substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS.

In addition the medical practitioner must fulfill all of the following criteria:

their name currently held on the Specialist Register of the GMC in a specialty which we recognise for benefit under our plans,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Psychologist

An individual who satisfies all of the following criteria:

retains current full registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC),
retains chartered membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS),
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.
retains current full registration with the Health Professions Council

Psychosexual medicine

A medical practitioner who satisfies all of the following criteria:

Full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice,
who holds current accreditation by the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine, having attained the Membership examination (MIPM),
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Psychotherapist (child or adult)

An individual who possesses one of the following:

accredited membership of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) or
full membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists, who has held or holds a post at Grade A as a Child Psychotherapist in the NHS and who has at least 5 years post qualification experience

In addition the individual must also fulfill all of the following criteria:

their practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Radiologist

A medical practitioner who has full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice and whose current position is one of the following:

a substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS or Armed Forces,
a substantive appointment as a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in the medical faculty of a UK University awarding a primary registrable qualification under the Medical Acts, with a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Consultant in that specialty in the NHS,
an independent practitioner, working solely in private practice, who can provide evidence of a previously held substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS

In addition the medical practitioner must fulfill all of the following criteria:

their name currently held on the Specialist Register of the GMC in a specialty which we recognise for benefit under our plans,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Speech therapist

An individual who satisifes all of the following criteria:

current, full registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC),
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Sports Medicine

An individual who satisifes all of the following criteria:

Full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice,
has been awarded a UK MSc/Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine,
has completed 1 year full–time or 2 years part–time practice in sports and exercise medicine, post MSc/Diploma certification,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Surgeon

A medical practitioner who has full registration with the GMC with a current licence to practice and whose current position is one of the following:

a substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS or Armed Forces,
a substantive appointment as a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor in the medical faculty of a UK University awarding a primary registrable qualification under the Medical Acts, with a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Consultant in that specialty in the NHS,
an independent practitioner, working solely in private practice, who can provide evidence of a previously held substantive appointment as a consultant in their specialty within the NHS.

In addition the individual must fulfill all of the following criteria:

their name currently held on the Specialist Register of the GMC in a specialty which we recognise for benefit under our plans,
whose practice is not subject to any special conditions, restrictions or a requirement for supervision or further training,
who retains current professional indemnity insurance for the treatments they provide.

Recognition guidelines

Terms of Recognition - applicable for specialists recognised after 01 July 2008
Terms of Recognition - applicable for practitioners recognised after 01 April 2010