Get your skin worries checked out quickly online by a consultant dermatologist.
- Complete an online assessment.
- The consultant dermatologist will review your online assessment and send a personalised report within 3 working days1
- Get answers quickly from the comfort of your own home.
Dr Max Pitcher: Hello there, Dr. Max Pitcher and I’ve been a specialist in Digestive Health for the last 27 years. Over this time I’ve helped thousands of patients via traditional face to face consultations, but I also work for HBSUK, via AXA Health’s online outpatient service. Some people think that this all done by chatbot or AI... but no, it’s all me and my colleagues.
Today I’ll explain what online outpatient services AXA Health members can access, and how they work.
In general, online outpatient services get you the answers you need quickly - we aim to get you a recommendation within 3 working days.
We actually started with this service just for “Muscles, Bones and Joints”, where it’s been very successful. And now we’ve expanded online services for Cardiology, Neurology, Urology, Dermatology and - my field - Digestive Health or gastroenterology .
There are 3 simple steps to this, which I’ll talk you through now. Step 1 is to start a claim and then login to the HBSUK platform.
Start by simply talking to your GP. If needed, they’ll give you an open referral for your condition. You can then start a claim and get it authorised as you would any other claim. Note that for Muscles, Bones and Joints you don’t need a GP referral so can go straight to the HBSUK platform.
Step 2, is where you answer a few questions in a specially designed medical questionnaire.
You’ll get to a screen that looks like this one. We’ll look at Digestive Health just because that’s my specialism, but they all work in a similar way.
The questions are based on the same questions the specialist would ask you face to face, and the follow-up questions even change based on your early answers.
There’s no need to travel to get this information across, you will have less anxiety while you wait for an appointment and you can take your time to answer the questions without the pressure of the awkwardness of a face to face consultation.
On the other side of the screen, a specialist like myself reviews the answers.
Then it’s on to Step 3. That’s where me or one of my colleagues uploads a personalised report. This will contain all the clinical observations your specialist has made, plus their recommendations on what the best next steps are for you.
You have the options to arrange a video call with the same specialist who completed your assessment.
Your report can recommend further tests or follow-up treatments which will be arranged for you. And if you need medication, an in-person consultation, or if you have any questions, just contact AXA Health. They can help check your cover for any of the recommendations in the report here.
And that’s it! 3 steps and you’re getting the answers you need, nice and quickly.
Here’s what one member, Mark, had to say about their experience with the Muscles, Joints and Bones service.
Mark: For me the thing that kind of stands out the most is, how straightforward and slick the whole thing is. I could see everything that I needed to see, all on one page. To be able to do this, really quickly in this this digital world, makes life a hell of a lot easier.
Dr Max Pitcher: It’s Always good to hear people are pleased with the results like Mark! Anyway, that’s all from me. I hope this presentation has given you confidence in using our online outpatient services. Thank you for listening.
Check what you need to use this service
Do you have a skin change that you're worried about?
If you have a mole or another skin change that:
- Has increased in size
- Has changed colour or has irregular colours
- Is larger that 7mm across
- Has an irregular shape
- Is inflamed or oozing.
If this doesn't descibe your skin change, please select No. We'll take you through the next steps.
This service isn’t suitable for your condition.
Access specialist diagnostics tests for skin concerns. We know that when you're worried, speed and reassurance are really important. That's why we're working with Check4Cancer, a provider of early cancer detection.
Are you a member of a large business healthcare scheme?
Usually a business with more than 250 employees
Go to your online account
This is where you can find out whether your membership provides access to this service.
Are you over the age of 18?
Has your GP referred you to a dermatologist?
Are you booking this appointment for yourself?
Do you have outpatient specialist consultations and diagnostic tests included in your membership?
If you're not sure, you can find this in your membership documents.
You can access our dermatology service online
The specialists at HBSUK will take it from here. Once you’re all set up, HBSUK will check with us that you have the right benefits included. You’ll receive an email from HBSUK confirming whether your request has been approved.
Sorry, you're unable to use this service without these outpatient benefits
If you'd like to discuss possible alternative options, or for help with your referral, start a live chat by using the live chat to the bottom-right of your screen. Available Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday 9am - 5pm
Please only book your appointment from your own HBSUK account.
If you book on behalf of someone else, the specialist won't have the right details.
First you'll need a dermatology referral
If you don’t have one speak to your NHS GP, or use our online GP service
Next, you’ll need to make sure you have outpatient specialist consultations and diagnostic tests included in your membership
If you’re not sure, you can find this in your membership documents.
Sorry you cannot use our online service. Follow the steps below instead:
1. See a GP
After they've looked at your symptoms, carried out any tests and you've had any treatment they recommended, they may still need to refer you for specialist care. If you’re struggling to get an appointment with your GP, remember you can use our online GP service
Important information: Whether we approve a claim will depend on the plan you’re on and its cover. This may exclude pre-existing conditions or symptoms - meaning any medication you’ve taken (including over-the-counter medicines like painkillers), any condition you've consulted a GP or healthcare professional about, and any symptoms you’ve experienced, even if you didn’t seek medical attention. You can review what your membership covers in your membership documents.
2. If your GP says you need to see a specialist, ask them for an ‘open referral’
With an ‘open referral’ your GP doesn’t name a particular specialist but instead gives you the type of specialist you need to see – for example, an orthopaedic specialist. We’ll use this open referral to help you find a specialist.
If your GP recommends a particular specialist, this is a ‘named referral’. You’ll need to contact us with this name, either through live chat, or contact us on your claims line number (which you can find in your membership documents) and we’ll check your membership covers that specialist.
Important information: If you’re referred to a specialist, we may ask your NHS GP to complete a medical information form. This helps us verify that your treatment or condition is covered by your membership. Your GP may charge a fee for completing this form, and please be aware, your membership wouldn't cover for the cost of this, and you will need to pay this yourself.
Some memberships require you to have an ‘open referral’. Please check your membership documents if you are unsure.
3. Contact us when your GP has given you a referral
Start your claim through your online account. Alternatively, you can chat online with one of our advisors using the live chat to the bottom-right of your screen or call us using your claims line number, which you’ll find in your membership documents. If you don’t have your referral letter to hand, make sure you know the type of specialist your GP is referring you for.
99% of members received their report within 3 working days
1Based on data from Jan-Dec 2025
How our dermatology service works online
This is a specialist-led service delivered by HBSUK, who are part of the AXA Group. You’ll see the name HBSUK when you use the service. The service is for members aged 18 or over.
1. Speak to a GP
If you’ve got skin worries that won’t go away, the first step is to speak to a GP. If they refer you to a consultant dermatologist, you can get started.
2. Continue to HBSUK
Select the AXA Health login. If you’re setting up a new account you’ll need your email address and membership number, which you can find on your membership documents or emails from us.
3. Check your membership
Once your setup is complete, HBSUK will send you an email to confirm whether your AXA Health membership covers this service or if more information is needed.
4. Complete your assessment
Answer some questions to help the consultant dermatologist understand your symptoms. You may have already provided some of these details to us, but this step is important to help HBSUK give you the best care and support.
5. Get support, fast
The consultant dermatologist will review your online assessment and send a personalised report within 3 working days. If you’d like to discuss the findings, you can have a phone or video call afterwards. If you need further tests or treatment, you'll get advice on what to do next.
What’s included in the service
The dermatology service includes the following, as needed, as long as you have the appropriate benefits for outpatient specialist consultations:
- An online assessment and a personalised report from a consultant dermatologist with recommended next steps.
- Once you’ve received your report, you can request a phone or video call with a consultant if you’d like to talk anything through.
- If you need a face to face specialist appointment, we’ll check what your membership covers and can set up an appointment for you. If you prefer, you can get the information you need to book yourself.
- You may be prescribed medication with a private prescription. Your membership doesn't typically cover the cost of prescriptions, you can check this in your handbook. You can pay for these privately, but it may cost more than on the NHS.
If you’re a member on a large corporate healthcare scheme, log in to your online account to check if you have access to the dermatology service. If you don’t have access, call us on your claims number in your account or handbook, and we’ll advise you on available options.
FAQs
Using the service
How it works with your membership
Live chat with an advisor
Chat online with one of our advisors using the live chat to the bottom-right of your screen.
Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 9am – 5pm.
If you wish to chat with an advisor about a Mental Health claim, please note our advisors are available online Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Our Bank Holiday hours are 9am-5pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day when we’re closed.