Visiting UK for specialist treatment (medical tourist)

I've been reading through a variety of informative posts from everybody and would much appreciate some advice from ex-pats (particularly visitors) without NHS

I'm an American residing in California ailing from chronic joint tendinopathies for the past ~15 months and have effectively exhausted treatment options here in the US.  In doing some research, I've found a sports medicine center in London that is doing very innovative research and treatment.  I've touched base with the lead orthopedist and am interested in pursuing consultation with this center (located at Queen Mary, Univ of London). 

I wanted to see what financial options might be available for treatment costs.  I've been reading up on travel insurance and the coverage and premiums appear very reasonable, but don't know if this insurance is something I can use for what would, effectively, be a care of medical tourism (albeit one of medical necessity, as opposed to cosmetic surgery, for example).   Further, I would need to confirm specific insurance coverage with this medical facility -- I imagine there are restrictions on which practitioners I can/cannot visit?

Worse comes to worst, would anyone know what orthopedist consultations typically cost if I pay privately, as well as arthroscopic surgical procedures?  I've been fortunate to have excellent insurance here in the US, but the insurance statements have noted my consultations were billed at $250-$500 per visit.

I don't think travel insurance is intended to cover medical tourism.  As far as your visa situation is concerned, you need to follow the guidelines listed at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors#9248630. 

Special visitors: Visitors for private medical treatment

Immigration Rules Paragraphs 51 - 56

You can apply for a visit visa to travel to the UK for private medical treatment. You must be able to show that you:

    * have made suitable arrangements for the necessary private consultation or treatment;
    * have enough money to pay for the treatment;
    * have enough money to support yourself and live without working or getting any help from public funds while you are in the UK, and
    * intend to leave the UK at the end of your treatment.

We may also ask you to provide the following:

    * A doctor’s letter giving details of your medical condition and the treatment you need.
    * Confirmation that you have made suitable arrangements for the private consultation or treatment and how long the treatment will last.
    * Evidence that you can afford to pay for the consultation and treatment.

We may also ask you to give an undertaking (in other words, a formal agreement) that you will pay for the consultation and treatment.

Can I stay more than six months for medical treatment?
If you need to stay longer than six months to complete your medical treatment you can apply to the UK Border Agency. They will charge a non-refundable fee for any extension application.

You are not allowed to enter or stay in the UK to receive treatment on the National Health Service (NHS). You must make sure that you have enough medical insurance for the whole of your stay.

I used to work for a private health insurance company in the UK. It's been a few years now, but I think you can expect consultations to be about the same price range in the UK as what you are billed in the US. Some charge more, some charge less. Unfortunately I can't recall prices for the surgery - but I'd expect you'd need to pay at very minimum $4k if not more. One good things is that the exchange rate is in your favor now.

I used to work for a private health insurance company in the UK. It's been a few years now, but I think you can expect consultations to be about the same price range in the UK as what you are billed in the US. Some charge more, some charge less.

I still have my American insurance policy and am seeing a private specialist for something currently.  I'd agree that pricing seems to be about the same with some elements (office visits, scans, bloodwork) being higher and some lower, but it seems to average out to what I'd have expected to be billed in the US. 

At the outset, I didn't know what to expect cost-wise, so I called the office and asked for ballpark figures on what I should expect and they were happy to provide a rundown. 

The clinic at Queen Mary's should be able to give you a quote on everything you're asking about, including follow-up arrangements and fees for additional interventions, should your initial treatment not give the results you were planning for.

Have you asked travel insurance companies if they would cover non-emergent procedures in the UK?