Arthur is an insurance product that protects self-funding patients. We cover the cost of unplanned, post-op complications — from diagnostics to readmission to ITU; delivering genuine fixed price self-pay surgery.
Self-pay in numbers
700,000
patients in the UK require unplanned, post-surgical medical intervention, every year
49%
of prospective patients cite ‘hidden and unexpected costs’ as a reason to not self-fund
Covered
Arthur funds medical treatment, surgery and diagnostics after a complication or unsuccessful surgery*
£3,650
self-funding patients on average pay ~£3,500 more than an insurer for the same operation
* Failing to alleviate or cure the patient’s symptoms to the point where further, unplanned diagnostics and interventions are required.
We cover inpatient and outpatient diagnostics — blood tests, imaging, physiology — settled directly with the provider. No chasing the patient for payment.
Most persistent symptoms and minor complications resolve non-surgically: manipulations, physiotherapy, wound care. If not, all are covered by Arthur.
In more severe cases, a patient may need to return to hospital — or be admitted to ITU. That’s precisely when Arthur steps in and settles the bill, one that’s potentially much higher.
In around 0.5% of operations a full revision is required — often £50,000 upwards, and months of recovery. With Arthur, the patient focuses on recovering. We handle the rest.
That’s Arthur: insurance for self-pay surgery. We fund post-surgical diagnostics and treatment — the inexpensive and the genuinely costly — so self-funding patients know from the moment they choose surgery exactly what they’ll pay.
The difference
A standard self-pay quote
from £15,000
If there’s a complication, or the operation is unsuccessful in treating a patient’s symptoms, the patient pays for what follows.
With Arthur
fixed £15,000
Eligible care (within 1 year of surgery) is funded by Arthur Health and settled directly with the treating hospital.
See the full list of exclusions£15,000 is an illustrative price for a total knee replacement. Cover applies to eligible complications as set out in the policy.
Patient stories
Cases where a complication followed surgery — and what it cost the patient.
David had spent years putting off his knee replacement.
For Margaret, the first few weeks after hip replacement felt transformational.
James expected his hip replacement recovery to involve discomfort.
For patients considering knee replacement, choosing a surgeon can feel surprisingly difficult.
It sounds like a contradiction.
You probably compare hotels before booking a holiday.
One of the attractions of paying privately for surgery is certainty.
How it works
Arthur costs approximately 2.8% of the procedure being covered. The exact price is determined by the surgery. No setup cost, no volume commitment.
Self-pay cover is integrated into your communications: website, digital channels, advertising and referrer information — and becomes a visible reason to choose you.
Surgeons explain the protection as part of discussing surgical risk. What was anxiety becomes confidence — and a reason to proceed.
Eligible patients are enrolled automatically. Arthur never collects money from the patient — all fees and costs are paid directly to the hospital.
If the operation fails to treat symptoms or a complication occurs within one year, the hospital invoices Arthur directly for the ongoing care required. See who is eligible.
In practice · Cleveland Clinic London
Our first programme is with Cleveland Clinic London. Patients having a knee replacement there are quoted one price; the care that follows any eligible complication is funded by Arthur.
Cover applies to the listed procedure at the listed hospital, for eligible complications as set out in our policy.
For hospitals and surgeons exploring fixed-price surgery protected by Arthur.
Or email hello@arthurhealth.co.uk