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Health Insurance
While the public health system focuses on acute (emergency) services, private health insurers are able to cover the cost of many semi-urgent and non-urgent procedures. |
Would you have to rely on the public health system if you incurred health problems such as cancer and possibly be on a waiting list for months or even years?
The health insurance industry complements the public health system by 'bridging the gap' between what the public health system can sustain and what we the public, want for our health. The health insurance industry makes an enormous contribution towards the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. In 2006 health insurers spent around $700 million on healthcare, the majority being for the 15-64 year age group.
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Who has it ?
Over 1.39 million New Zealanders have health insurance. Why? Because, like any other insurance, it provides peace of mind in times of difficulty. 1.
Elective surgical and specialist cover now accounts for 914,300 of the 1.392 million lives covered, or 65.7% of those covered by health insurance.
Comprehensive health insurance now accounts for just 478,100 lives covered, or 34.3% of policies. 1.
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Difference it can make !
Having health insurance, however, means that you can choose your doctor or specialist, and you can choose when and where you are treated. All with the assurance that you can recover all or most of the costs.
In short, health insurance takes away the uncertainty of your future health care.
If you don’t require immediate treatment, then you’ll need to have an assessment to qualify for elective surgery in the public system — a process which could take months, even years.
And if you don’t qualify for publicly-funded surgery you will need to consider paying for surgery in a private hospital, which can be costly…unless you have health insurance. |
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Source:
1. New Zealand Health Insurance Statistics 2009 |
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Medical Hospitalisation - private hospital or day stay clinic |
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General and Cardiac Surgery
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Outpatient Care
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Oral Surgery - private hospital or day stay clinic |
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Would you like a
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Overseas Medical Treatment |
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Home Nursing Care |
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Bereavement Grant |
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Caregiver Accommodation |
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Public Hospital Cash Grant |
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Medical Misadventure |
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Loyalty Benefit: Sterilisation |
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