Type of assessment
A focused assessment of one area takes less time than a broad assessment covering several settings or needs.
Private OT fees and funding
Private Occupational Therapy provides a written quote before any work goes ahead, so you know what is included and can choose the funding route that suits your situation.
- Written quote before booking
- Self-funded or third-party funded
- Invoices for funders and solicitors
- Costs explained in plain terms
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
How much does private occupational therapy cost?
There is no single price for private OT because no two pieces of work are the same. A short home visit with brief written advice involves far less time than a detailed care needs report for a personal injury claim, and a block of therapy sessions depends on the goals and how often sessions take place.
Rather than publishing a price list that may not reflect your needs, Private Occupational Therapy prepares a written quote once the situation is understood. You can then decide whether to go ahead, change the scope or take time to arrange funding. Nothing is booked until you have accepted the quote.
Quotes
How quoting works
The quote comes after a short initial conversation, so it reflects the work you actually need.
Tell us what you need
Use the enquiry form or email with an outline of the person, the concern and any deadlines.
Agree the scope
We discuss the type of assessment, the setting, the report required and whether therapy may follow.
Receive a written quote
The quote sets out what is included so you, or your funder, can approve it before anything is arranged.
What affects cost
What affects the cost of private OT?
Most of the cost reflects therapist time, both face to face and in preparing written work. These are the main factors.
Report detail
A brief summary letter differs from a full report for an EHCP, a grant application or a court.
Number of sessions
Therapy is quoted for an agreed number and frequency of sessions, with reviews built in.
Travel
Visits across the North East involve travel time, which varies with location and the number of settings.
Liaison
Meetings and correspondence with schools, case managers or other professionals add time to the work.
Medico-legal requirements
Court-compliant reports, records review and answering questions after the report are quoted separately.
Ways to pay for private occupational therapy
Clients fund OT in several ways, and some combine more than one. If you are unsure which route applies, mention it when you enquire and we can talk it through.
Self-funding
Many families and individuals pay privately, often to get an assessment arranged around their own priorities or to add to support already received. Self-funding gives you full control over the scope of the work. Our guide to NHS and private occupational therapy may help you weigh up the options.
Private health insurance
Some private health insurance policies cover occupational therapy, although many do not, or cover it only after a referral. Check with your insurer before booking, including any authorisation number and what the policy pays towards.
Personal injury and clinical negligence claims
Where someone has been injured, OT assessments, care needs reports and rehabilitation are often funded through the claim. Instructions usually come from a solicitor or case manager, and invoices go to the instructing party. See our medico-legal and care needs reports and the information for professionals.
Personal health budgets and direct payments
Some people use a personal health budget or social care direct payment to buy OT. This depends on the funder agreeing that it meets assessed needs, so confirm with them before booking.
Employers
Employers sometimes fund workplace or return to work assessments to help an employee stay in or return to work safely.
Schools and local authorities
Schools and councils occasionally commission assessments, for example an EHCP or school assessment. When an organisation is paying, the quote and invoice are addressed to it.
Combining funding routes
Funding can be split where it makes sense. A family might self-fund an initial assessment and then use the report to support a request to a school, insurer or local authority for further input. Where more than one party is paying, the quote shows clearly which part of the work each one covers.
Payment
Payment and invoicing
Payment terms are confirmed in writing alongside your quote, so you know when and how to pay before you commit.
Invoices are issued to whoever is funding the work, whether that is you, an insurer, a solicitor, an employer or a local authority. Where a third party is paying, it helps to confirm their approval and purchase details before the first appointment so invoicing runs smoothly. If the scope of work changes, for example because more sessions are recommended, an updated quote is provided first.
Your quote will set out
- The assessment or therapy included
- The type of report provided
- Any travel or liaison time
- Who the invoice is addressed to
- How and when payment is made
FAQs
Fees and funding questions
Why don't you publish prices?
The work varies too much for a price list to be useful. A written quote based on your situation gives a more accurate picture than a general figure.
Is there a charge for the initial conversation?
The purpose of the initial conversation is to understand your needs and prepare a quote. Any charges for the work itself are set out in that quote before you decide.
Will my health insurance cover private OT?
It depends on your policy. Contact your insurer first to confirm cover and any authorisation needed, then share those details when you enquire.
Can a solicitor or case manager pay for the assessment?
Yes. In personal injury and clinical negligence cases, the instructing professional usually arranges payment and receives the invoice.
Can I start with an assessment and decide on therapy later?
Yes. Assessment and therapy are quoted as separate stages, so you can read the report and recommendations before deciding whether to fund sessions.
Get a quote for private OT
Send a short outline of what you need and how the work is likely to be funded. Private Occupational Therapy will come back to you with a written quote.