New Zealand Healthcare

New Zealand Healthcare - The New Zealand government funds most of the health and disability system. People who have migrated to New Zealand to live permanently receive the same public health service as people who are citizens in New Zealand.

New Zealand's healthcare system is funded mainly through general taxation and treatments are usually free or subsidised. Medical treatment is generally very good, and private healthcare is also available.

If you need to go to hospital you can choose to go to a public or a private hospital. It is free to stay in a public hospital except for long staying elderly people.

If you want to receive specialist care you must get a referral from your doctor, and private specialist treatment must be paid in full.

Public hospitals are run and owned by District Health Boards (DHBs), which are responsible for providing, or funding the provision of, health and disability services in their district. The general health of the community is under the control of 21 District Health Boards.

Only people who meet the criteria defined in the Eligibility Direction can receive publicly funded (free or subsidised) personal health and disability services. If you are not eligible you will be charged for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive in New Zealand.

To access publicly-funded health services, you must be lawfully in New Zealand at the time of seeking services and fit specific qualification criteria.

Citizens of the United Kingdom living in the UK who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis (less than two years) can receive urgent medical treatment in New Zealand under the Reciprocal Health Agreement between New Zealand and the UK.

Nearly everyone who is injured in an accident in New Zealand, including overseas visitors and foreign diplomats, is covered for treatment in New Zealand for personal injury caused by accident, regardless of fault.

Doctors operate as private practitioners in New Zealand and you can choose the doctor or medical centre that you prefer.

Most GPs are private practitioners and can set their own fees. The standard adult consultation charges are between $35 and $55 with an additional charge for casual patients.

You will not be charged for any diagnostic tests ordered by your GP or a specialist in the Public Health system provided you are eligible for Publicly Funded Healthcare. If you see a Private specialist, you will have to pay any charges for the diagnostic tests.

Treatment by a specialist at a public hospital will be provided free, however there may be a considerable wait for your appointment. You will always be received as a patient if you require acute or emergency care and go to a hospital.

An increasing number of New Zealanders are choosing to have medical insurance to assist in payment for the provision of some of these services without the waiting.

Private specialists will charge you for their services but you will generally get an earlier appointment.

School Dental clinics provide free dental checks for children up to the age of 12.

A visit to a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath may receive funding if your complaint results from an accident.

The New Zealand Health system provides free healthcare for all eligible women during pregnancy and childbirth from diagnosis to postnatal care for mother and baby.

Pharmaceutical drugs or medicines are generally free for children under six years old but everyone else who is eligible for publicly funded healthcare pays a co-payment.

If you are an overseas Doctor, Nurse, Midwife, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Psychologist, Medical Radiation Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Pharmacist or Audiologist looking to work in New Zealand, you will need to be registered before you can practice.

For more information you can Purchase a Guide to New Zealand Healthcare.