How Does Self-Pay Imaging Work?
A self-pay scan means you pay directly for your imaging, without needing insurance or a GP referral. At ScanAlign you book and pay online, attend your appointment at 19 Harley Street, and receive a full radiologist report and your images. The entire process is designed to be straightforward and transparent.
Key takeaways
- No GP referral or insurance needed. You refer yourself.
- Fixed pricing with no hidden extras. Payment is taken at booking.
- A specialist radiologist report and your images are included.
- Your results can be shared with your GP or specialist.
- EOS imaging uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Many people assume you need a GP letter or private health insurance to access diagnostic imaging. That is not always the case. Self-pay imaging lets you take the direct route, paying for your scan yourself and booking when it suits you.
At ScanAlign, private standing imaging, we use EOS technology to capture whole-body standing images. Because the scan is done while you stand upright and weight-bear, it shows how your bones and joints actually align under gravity, something that lying-down scans can miss. This page explains exactly how the self-pay process works, what is included, and what happens after your scan.
What is included in a self-pay scan at ScanAlign?
Every self-pay scan at ScanAlign includes everything you need to understand your alignment and take the next step with your healthcare provider.
A specialist radiologist reviews your images and provides a detailed written report on your findings.
You receive your EOS images digitally, so you can share them with any clinician who needs to see them.
Your scan captures your full posture and joint alignment while standing, giving a weight-bearing picture of your body as a whole.
The price you see at booking is the price you pay. No hidden fees and no surprise invoices afterwards. See full details on our EOS scan cost page.
How do you book and pay for a self-pay scan?
You follow four simple steps. No paperwork, no waiting for approval, and no insurance forms to fill in.
Check your eligibility
Start by confirming who our scan is suitable for. Our short screening checks that an EOS scan is appropriate for your situation. This is a safety step required under IRMER regulations (the rules that govern medical radiation in the UK). It makes sure every scan is clinically justified.
Book and pay online
Once approved, you choose a date and time that suits you and pay securely online. Payment is taken at booking, so there are no surprises on the day. No insurance claim forms, no letters from your GP.
Attend your scan
You arrive at 19 Harley Street, London. The scan itself is quick and straightforward. You stand in the EOS scanner fully clothed (metal-free clothing) while it captures your images. Read more about what to expect at an alignment assessment.
Receive your report and images
A specialist radiologist reviews your images and writes a detailed report. You receive both the report and the images digitally, ready to share with your GP, consultant, physiotherapist or surgeon.
Is a self-pay EOS scan safe?
Yes. EOS imaging uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. It is a well-established technology used in hospitals and specialist clinics. Every scan at ScanAlign is carried out under strict UK regulations (IRMER) and within The Harley Street Hospital's CQC-registered framework.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a GP referral letter or a consultant's request. You refer yourself. However, a qualified practitioner still needs to justify every scan under IRMER. At ScanAlign, this is handled during your eligibility screening, so you can be confident your imaging is both safe and appropriate.
How much does it cost?
Our pricing is fixed and transparent, with no hidden charges. Payment is taken at the time of booking. Visit our EOS scan cost page for full details.
A note on MRI. EOS imaging is excellent for showing bones, joints and whole-body alignment under gravity. If your clinician suspects a soft-tissue problem, such as a disc injury, ligament tear or nerve compression, MRI is usually the better tool for that. The two types of imaging answer different questions, and sometimes both are helpful.
Can I share my self-pay scan results with my GP?
Yes. Your report and images are yours. You can share them with any healthcare professional, whether that is your GP, an orthopaedic consultant, a physiotherapist or a surgeon. Many patients use their ScanAlign results to start a conversation with their existing healthcare team, or to get a second opinion.
Because ScanAlign is a diagnostic imaging clinic, we do not provide treatment. Your results give you and your clinician clear, objective information to guide the next step, whatever that may be.
Not sure if a standing scan is right for you? Start with a free video consultation to discuss your situation with our team.
Book a free video consultationFrequently asked questions about self-pay imaging
No. You refer yourself directly. A qualified practitioner justifies the scan under IRMER regulations during the eligibility screening, so no GP letter is needed.
No. Self-pay means you pay for the scan yourself, directly and at the point of booking. No insurance paperwork is involved.
Our pricing is fixed and transparent. Visit our EOS scan cost page for the latest details.
Payment is taken securely online at the time of booking. There are no additional charges on the day of your scan or afterwards.
Yes. Every scan is justified by a qualified practitioner under IRMER, which is the UK law governing medical radiation. EOS also uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Your booking includes the EOS scan itself, a specialist radiologist report, and your images delivered digitally. There are no hidden extras.
Yes. Your report and images are yours to share with any healthcare professional you choose.
When you lie down for a conventional scan, gravity is removed and your muscles relax. This can hide alignment problems that only show up when you are standing and weight-bearing. A standing EOS scan captures how your body actually works in real life.
The scan is designed for adults with long-standing or unexplained back, hip, knee or posture problems. Check who our scan is suitable for to confirm it is right for you.
You arrive at 19 Harley Street, change into metal-free clothing if needed, and stand in the EOS scanner. The process is quick. Read more about what to expect at an alignment assessment.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free video consultation to discuss your symptoms and find out whether a standing alignment scan could help.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER). UK Government legislation governing the justification and safety of medical radiation exposures.
- NHS. "Getting a second opinion." NHS.uk guidance on accessing further medical opinion and self-referral pathways in the UK.
- Deschênes S, et al. "Diagnostic imaging of spinal deformities: reducing patients' radiation dose with a new slot-scanning X-ray imager." Spine, 2010; 35(9):989-994.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.