One doctor may offer different types of visit. When an online calendar shows a free slot, that alone does not determine whether the visit is covered by NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund), paid, or for a specific administrative service. The surest way to avoid a misunderstanding is to check the type of appointment before booking.

Three questions that clarify most cases

Ask: “Is this appointment covered by NHIF?”, “What conditions do I need to meet?” and “What costs may arise?”. The answer may depend on the type of doctor, the specific service, your registration, whether you have a referral and the rules that apply.

If you are booking with a GP, say whether you are registered with their practice. If you are looking for a specialist, state the type of referral and its date. Don’t assume that your document is valid for every specialty or that all slots in the calendar are funded the same way.

What the label “Works with NHIF” means

The label is a useful starting point, but it does not replace the conditions for the specific visit. Confirm whether it applies to the chosen address, doctor and service. If the profile has several places where examinations take place, check the details for exactly the place you have chosen.

Sometimes one calendar covers different reasons for a visit. Read the description and the important information for the appointment. If anything is unclear, contact the reception or the practice, instead of picking any reason just to complete the booking.

How to compare costs

  • Ask what the advertised price includes.
  • Check whether there is a separate price for a document, a test or an additional service.
  • Check the applicable user fee and the grounds for exemption.
  • Ask how a follow-up visit is organised and paid for.
  • Ask for current information for the specific practice, not an old price from a forum.

Compare the overall organisation, not just the lowest number. A convenient appointment, a clear explanation of the conditions and the chance to discuss results can matter for your choice. A price without a description of the service does not allow a meaningful comparison.

A paid examination is not registration with a GP

Being able to see a doctor for a fee and administratively choosing that doctor as your GP are different matters. If your aim is registration, say so explicitly and ask about the procedure, the deadlines and acceptance of new patients.

For a specific practice, check the conditions against its official website and booking channel. For example, the addresses of Dr Boris Gavrilov are described separately, and the appointment is chosen in SuperDoc. Surgery hours by day are also in his profile on trqbvami.com. trqbvami.com has an editorial partnership with this practice.

Before you confirm the appointment

Check the type of visit, the address, the documents and the costs. If the answers differ from what you expected, clarify them in advance. This article is a guide to the questions to ask; it does not determine your individual entitlement to coverage or exemption from a fee.