Healthcare in New Zealand
Healthcare in New Zealand is funded through general taxation, and that means free or subsidised medical care. The standards of healthcare in New Zealand are high, but private healthcare is also available. In order to access free public healthcare, expats need to have a work permit or a permanent residence permit. Work permits need to be issued for a minimum of 24 months at time of issue; this also ensures that your family or dependants are covered.
Public healthcare gives residents access to free hospital-based care, as well as emergency treatment. Other free medical services include medical tests, childrens’ immunisations, and prescription medication for children below six years old. Visits to the general practitioner (GP), the purchase of prescription drugs and ambulance services are subsidised; however, general practitioner referrals for treatment at a public hospital are free of charge. Expect to pay NZ$15 for prescribed medicine, and NZ$50 for a consultation with your doctor during regular working hours. Higher consultation fees are charged for weekend and night visits. Prescription medication is cheaper if it is obtained from a public hospital.
New Zealand has a government-funded programme called the Primary Health Organisation (PHO), which further subsidises medical costs, significantly reducing consultation fees by up to 50 percent. Most New Zealanders and expats are members of a PHO in their residential district. Expats are advised to join a PHO as soon as they arrive in New Zealand, as the application process generally takes up to three months to be processed. Other PHO benefits include only paying NZ$3 per item on a doctor’s prescription for subsidised medicines. There are some non-subsidised items, which expats and residents have to pay for in full.
Other free or subsidised services include healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care, laboratory tests and x-rays. Medical check-ups and dental treatments for school children are also freely provided. New Zealand takes cancer very seriously, and in an effort to increase early detection, the healthcare system provides free breast screening for all women between the ages of 50 and 64. Chronic and acute medical conditions are generally paid for by the state; however, there are a few cases where they are only subsidised. Expats should expect to pay a small fee for specialist doctors such as chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists.
In order to access healthcare in New Zealand, expats will have to register with a GP. There is no restriction on which GP you register with, however some may specialise in certain areas of medicine and so it is best to research the practices in your area for the best GP to suit your individual needs. The only downside to state healthcare is the long waiting periods for non-emergency procedures; however, these waiting times vary from hospital to hospital, so it helps to shop around.
The majority of New Zealanders who choose to use private healthcare do so in order to jump the queues for non-urgent conditions. Private healthcare users are still able to use the free public health services as well. The country has a range of private hospitals and clinics providing healthcare services such as general surgery, recuperative care and specialist procedures, as well as private testing laboratories and radiology clinics.
The cost of living in New Zealand is reasonable, and as such, private health insurance costs are not too high compared with other expat destinations. Expats should expect to pay an extra NZ$600 or more annually for private health insurance. Coverage for a partner and children will cost more. Some employers offer medical cover, and so it is prudent to check with your company or to negotiate medical insurance as part of your employment contract.
Public healthcare gives residents access to free hospital-based care, as well as emergency treatment. Other free medical services include medical tests, childrens’ immunisations, and prescription medication for children below six years old. Visits to the general practitioner (GP), the purchase of prescription drugs and ambulance services are subsidised; however, general practitioner referrals for treatment at a public hospital are free of charge. Expect to pay NZ$15 for prescribed medicine, and NZ$50 for a consultation with your doctor during regular working hours. Higher consultation fees are charged for weekend and night visits. Prescription medication is cheaper if it is obtained from a public hospital.
New Zealand has a government-funded programme called the Primary Health Organisation (PHO), which further subsidises medical costs, significantly reducing consultation fees by up to 50 percent. Most New Zealanders and expats are members of a PHO in their residential district. Expats are advised to join a PHO as soon as they arrive in New Zealand, as the application process generally takes up to three months to be processed. Other PHO benefits include only paying NZ$3 per item on a doctor’s prescription for subsidised medicines. There are some non-subsidised items, which expats and residents have to pay for in full.
Other free or subsidised services include healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care, laboratory tests and x-rays. Medical check-ups and dental treatments for school children are also freely provided. New Zealand takes cancer very seriously, and in an effort to increase early detection, the healthcare system provides free breast screening for all women between the ages of 50 and 64. Chronic and acute medical conditions are generally paid for by the state; however, there are a few cases where they are only subsidised. Expats should expect to pay a small fee for specialist doctors such as chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists.
In order to access healthcare in New Zealand, expats will have to register with a GP. There is no restriction on which GP you register with, however some may specialise in certain areas of medicine and so it is best to research the practices in your area for the best GP to suit your individual needs. The only downside to state healthcare is the long waiting periods for non-emergency procedures; however, these waiting times vary from hospital to hospital, so it helps to shop around.
The majority of New Zealanders who choose to use private healthcare do so in order to jump the queues for non-urgent conditions. Private healthcare users are still able to use the free public health services as well. The country has a range of private hospitals and clinics providing healthcare services such as general surgery, recuperative care and specialist procedures, as well as private testing laboratories and radiology clinics.
The cost of living in New Zealand is reasonable, and as such, private health insurance costs are not too high compared with other expat destinations. Expats should expect to pay an extra NZ$600 or more annually for private health insurance. Coverage for a partner and children will cost more. Some employers offer medical cover, and so it is prudent to check with your company or to negotiate medical insurance as part of your employment contract.
