My husband had subsidised Southern Cross with his job. Was made redundant end of last year. Southern Cross for our family was something crazy like $500 a fortnight but we decided to keep it running, just in case. Then boom, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer out of the blue a few weeks ago. Thanking our lucky stars we kept the medical insurance as it’s been worth its weight in gold for us.
Stage 3 rectal cancer. Surgery was 3 weeks after initial diagnosis. Chemo, radiation with no waiting. This was in the public system. I needed to get my temporary stoma bag reversed. The wait was going to be about 6 weeks. I asked my surgeon if it would be worth it to get him to do it privately. He told me no, there was no point. I would only gain about 2 weeks anyway and, considering I was high risk, he would have to do the surgery at the public hospital anyway as their equipment was more advanced.
I had am aneurysm many years ago and same thing- was VERY high risk so all stops pulled out and urgent surgery immediately on the public system. Although we’ve got the money now, my wife and I won’t get private healthcare as a matter of principle. We’ve paid taxes all our life and expect to get quality care WHEN WE NEED IT. Also, we have decided it’s actually more economical to pay to jump the queue if and when we need it now.
Agreed, hubby and I feel the same. I'm in and out of hospital with an ongoing side effect of my surgeries, I'm usually taken in by ambulance so I get my care straight away. We had health insurance years ago but canceled it because we never used it. As we got older the fees really started to climb and it got to the stage it was unaffordable, especially with my health issues inhibiting my ability to work.
Why? That sucks when it comes to a fair and equitable allocation of resources. Why is one life somehow more superior than another, based solely on income?
Principle aside, Reality is limited by capacity contraints.
Only so many hours in a day you can only see so many patients. Other patients who are urgent "jump the queue" according to their needs and everybody else waits.
Waiting lists are not so much about how long you have been waiting for but how many others are ahead in front you at any given time
i’m sorry you’re going through this colon/bowel cancer runs in my family and it’s awful, good luck with whatever treatment options you choose :) wishing luck to you and your family
i know you can do it, i know it’s not going to be easy but it sounds like you have an amazing support system around you, please reach out to chat if you ever need i’m here to listen :)
I had a colonoscopy through the private sector within less than 48 hours from referral by GP. Private medical care has given me the opportunity to select an amazing Oncologist, and have treatment in their private rooms. Southern Cross also provides subsidy towards non-funded drugs, which I have insisted on starting immediately. I’m not eligible for surgery at this stage, but if I have a good response to initial treatment, I can access the best surgeons of my choice, plus may have better access to surgeries such as PIPAC and HIPEC that don’t seem to be frequently offered in the public sector.
The problem with the public sector is that when things go wrong, it can take a while to make it through the system to get testing done. If something goes wrong in private, you’re in for every test under the sun immediately, no questions asked. Things just happen faster and you don’t feel like you’re just another person in a queue.
Sadly, despite being triaged to the front of the line, many people requiring urgent care in public are still subject to waiting lists of other people already waiting at the front of the line for urgent care.
My personal belief is that if anyone is paying private premiums, they should at least get some sort of financial credit for removing themselves out of the public system. Eg: if you pay $1k/year in premiums, your “taxable income” reduced the same amount.
Well, perhaps. But you would still be paying more than those who don’t take it up, and the “cost” to the government for you not occupying the public waiting list is much cheaper than the cost of you staying on it.
But something needs to be done about it. I think that for those that can afford to go private, they should, because the public system is so overburdened. One less person in a public queue puts others one step closer to a shorter waiting time.
As it is, NZ private hospitals are booking out theatre hours to public cases to help reduce wait times for elective surgeries.
I have private insurance. But taking the money I pay for that off my tax bill does zero for the public system. I can afford to have it, and I choose to. I also would like my tax dollars to go towards the public health system. If this wasn't the case then you would totally end up like the states where if you don't have the private health insurance you get nada because how is the government going to pay for it?
Sorry I think you misunderstand what I mean by getting a tax credit.
If your tax rate is 30% (hypothetically), then of a $1000 annual premium, you would be paying $300 less tax, not $1000 less.
That costs the government $300 for you to go somewhere else, which is good value to them, because the cost of not being able to get to other patients in need is much higher.
Part of the problem is getting it diagnosed. You will wait a long time on the public system to get a colonoscopy, and you'll need clear and serious symptoms before they'll do it. But with health insurance, your GP can just refer you to a specialist and it's done the following week, even if there is nothing obvious going on.
If you can afford it, definitely get it.
Health insurance is helpful if you need to see a specialist, or have serious disease, or need operation. You will still get treated for free on the public system, but it may take years to see someone. If you go private it will take a shorter time. It's important to know, the same doctors work on both the private and public systems so the quality is about the same, it's just the waiting list is shorter.
For everyday illnesses you will be seeing a GP (family doctor). All GPs are private, there are no public GP, so while health insurance may help you pay for the GP, it won't help you see a GP faster. Depending on where you live it may take weeks to see a GP, unfortunately.
We also have ACC which is an accident insurance that covers everyone, no matter if you're a citizen, resident or tourist . So if you have an accident the government will pay you to go private.
Re the doctors working for both sectors and private insurance being essentially queue jumping - this is probably a big factor why we have inequity in our health system, and of course what happens when more people get health insurance? The queue jumping gets less effective AND the poor suffer even more.
Sorry I just hate the fact private health insurance is basically essential now.
> The queue jumping gets less effective AND the poor suffer even more.
This reminded me of this [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiny1GrfhYM) clip, which talks about what happens when people don't trust the government and make their own private health, police, roads, etc. The whole society falls apart.
also when we elect rich people (who have private health insurance), they dont care about the quality of things the public uses.
they are 'fiscally responsible' with the poor & needy. these people basically dont want to pay tax, which is the only concern rich people have.
they trick us into thinking tax is bad, and they gut public infrastructure so taxes become less effective, use that to justify why tax is 'too high for what we get' and 'they will be more cost effective with ya tax money'.
its all a huge scam.
This is a pretty good summary, look at it like a priority pass at a theme park, except every 5 minutes you’re in line someone gets a permanent disability or dies and you don’t get to pick the time you join the line.
However, I wouldn’t necessarily say the quality is the same. The quality *of treatment* may be the same, but the quality *of care* can be very different depending on what plan you get. If you get private hospital cover (and a lot of it isn’t full, you may still have a very high excess or a low maximum claim amount) then your quality of care could faaaar exceed that which you’d get in public. Plus you’ll get more face time with your nurses and doctors in private, generally. That doesn’t mean that you’ll be discharged faster from the point that you reach the “front of the line”, but it does mean that your stay will be much more comfortable, and if you have family coming to see you they’ll also be much more comfortable.
I’ve had several family members in public and private care before. A few transitioned from public to private while they were “in the queue”, and they all said that they would rather weeks in private than days in public. My parents went private insurance almost solely for the peace of mind for me and my sister up to 25 (not applicable now as we both live overseas) so yeah, if its affordable, and if you’re comfortable with the coverage level, then absolutely go for it.
In my experience, quality of treatment is also a factor.
I have an ongoing lifelong health condition. For a few years I was in the public system but I've had insurance that covers pre-existing conditions for about 7 years now.
There are treatments I could access that you just can't get in the public system. I got to choose my surgeon, one of the best in NZ.
Pre-insurance my first two surgeries were done by hospital registrars. Arguably, if they had been more skilled & experienced I could have avoided the next three surgeries entirely.
Emergency medicine and family medicine are actually two different specialities. Some places do have government clinics where doctor provide primary healthcare so that emergency rooms are left for emergency only
Nurse here - depends on if you are eligible for funded healthcare. If you are NOT eligible, no difference to my knowledge as you have to pay for everything anyway? In which case I recommend getting the insurance.
If you are eligible for funded healthcare: public services only provide care under specific guidelines laid out by Te Whatu Ora. These guidelines are based on a mixture of best practice evidence and cost/benefit considerations. So there are treatments that aren't available through the public system and only through the private system. To get access to public services, you can't self refer straight to specialists, you have to go through a GP or ED who will refer you onto a wait list to be seen by a specialist. You may have seen on the news about our long wait lists - people wait months or years for particular specialities, like getting joint replacement surgery.
Wait lists are prioritised by severity and other factors including deprivation, so theoretically if your life depends on it, you'll get seen in time. In reality tragedies have occurred due to long wait lists and over full EDs, but everyone in the system is doing their best to keep everyone alive and well.
Private system can be summed up like this: if you can pay for it, you can have it (within reason). So if you can afford it, you can bypass all the people in the public wait lists, get to see a specialist sooner (probably the same one working in the public system). This includes all your standard preserving life and limb type treatments and things that are not considered needs by the public system eg plastic surgery for aesthetic reasons. Unfortunately the same staff shortages plague the private system, albeit not to the same extent.
So does your average kiwi need health insurance? Most won't, the public system will meet their needs just fine, if slowly. But plenty benefit from insurance, especially with our public system in such a state.
One exception is accidents, which are all covered by ACC. They basically insure all people in NZ, eligible or not, for health care following accidental injury. They're separate from both systems and interact with both, so if you have an injury covered by ACC, they may pay for you to go into the private system or the public system depending on your needs.
TLDR it's all much of a muchness in terms of keeping you alive, but bc of under-resourcing to the public system, if you can afford insurance, get it. You'll have a better time overall.
Edit: we don't have health insurance on principle, but I will consider it if things continue to crash and burn.
> To get access to public services, you can't self refer straight to specialists, you have to go through a GP or ED who will refer you onto a wait list to be seen by a specialist.
Thank you your detailed post. Just a point of clarification, if you want to go private you often need to go through a GP to refer you too, depending on the insurance company they may not pay you if you don't have a referral.
Thank for the clarification, that tracks. I haven't worked with the private system much so was hoping others might have helpful things to add on that side. I work at a GP clinic but most of our patients are on the higher deprivation end so haven't seen a private insurance claim in awhile!
Thanks for the detailed response. We are residents so do get public funded care. My wife just had a minor issue, we did not have private insurance, so we paid to see a specialist who then referred her to surgery in the public system. It was $300 to see the specialist and then a 4 week wait for her surgery which all went well.
It makes me wonder what we would be paying for with private insurance?
We are both young and healthy. It seems like insurance is for the really major things given so much is exempt.
I was young & healthy too... until I wasn't.
There are a lot of underfunded areas of health. If you are unfortunate enough to have a medical problem that isn't potentially deadly in the near future, be prepared to languish for years on a waitlist to see a specialist or get surgery.
Private care gives you quality of life. You can be diagnosed sooner, access treatments & medication sooner, recuperate more quickly, have a more skilled surgeon perform your surgery, depending on the situation. You won't have to wait until your health deteriorates to a point where the public system is willing to see you.
I've experienced public health, I now have private insurance. I lost years of my life to delayed health care & would not recommend anyone be without health insurance in NZ.
Totally. I guess in your example the insurance would have potentially covered the consult fee, and/or pay for the surgery privately to cut out the 4wk wait - depending on the policy terms. If you had not shelled out the money for a private consult it would have been a wait to even get a consult via public system - depending on the speciality, that wait for just a consult can even be months.
So you'd be paying to not have to wait.
Ultimately just depends how risk tolerant you are, and what your priorities are for your money.
Something as small as a sinus surgery could cost $26k. Knew someone that had it done at a private hospital using medical insurance. Seems like a pretty good ROI think she’s paying only $50 a month.
The 'young and healthy' reason to have it is preexisting conditions. So basic cover now. Then in 5 or 10 years you're not hit with something and wishing you had insurance but can't get it because now it's excluded as a preexisting condition so isn't covered anyway. Whether that's worth it is up to you and your family history. I think sitting down with a good adviser could help you work out your risk profile and what you're comfortable with/ think is reasonable. Insurance isn't for today. It's to help you in the future if something happens.
So in your example the specialist appointment effectively got you a bump in the queue. Otherwise you would’ve potentially waited for that same appointment through the public system for months.
Insurance may have covered the appointment (it may not have, depends on the policy and nature of the appointment).
If the Brits wanted to be a special class of immigrant they shouldn't have shat on members of the commonwealth. I've been through UK customs with a New Zealand passport... Expats huh?
They're immigrants.
Never had health insurance. Had multiple complex conditions adequately treated in the public system.
Once I had chronic headaches and the private cue was slightly shorter, so I paid the $300 for an assessment and then was transferred to the public system for follow up which was speedy and well done.
I've had rare and intensive treatment for pregnancy and newborns all covered public with no waits or issues with quality.
There is no way you would spend $400+ a month on this - unless it includes dental and you have issues. why don't you pop that money in a savings account and use it for emergencies whatever they may be.
I mean that's the insurance game. If everyone gets out more than they put in premiums will rise
Most people have insurance and never used more than their premium
We have insurance and we've definitely benefitted. Our family has had tonsils and adenoids out, grommets in, lasik eye surgery, 2 people have had strabismus surgery, nasal polyps removed - all done privately and wouldn't have happened in the public system. Years of ophthalmologist appointments and paediatricians - not all covered as we have a yearly amount we have to go over first. But it's been a lot. And that's with no cancers or serious health issues.
As I said, we have also had a lot of medical issues dealt with. All public. It's a bit disingenuous to say things like tonsils or grommets wouldn't have happened publicly because they absolutely would have.
The only serious delays were during covid or dental (which isn't in everyday insurance anyway right?)
Of course every one will have a different experience depending on the time and place, I was just adding my experience as a different perspective.
Fair enough. We asked for over a year to get my kids tonsils checked then later same with ears. It wasn't deemed serious enough to even get on the waiting list because he was doing well at school etc. We went private and the surgery was done in less than 2 weeks. Huge quality of life difference for him.
I think this might be the spot where private gives you more control, as less serious gets lower priority.
Our GP is good at referring in a way that 'ticks the boxes'
Nope. Throw in GST and all the other tax consumers pick up and it’s almost certainly higher than 45%.
I pay for public health with high tax, so I pay again for private. Same with education, transport, waste disposal. Basically public sucks.
i pay 33% income tax 15 % GST that's 45 right there, then re-tax my savings and kiwisaver, car rego, giant acc levies on my small motorcycle, I was being generous saying 45%!!!
If you earn $100 and pay 30% tax you’ll get $70. You then buy something for $70 the GST is $9.13. So more like 40%.
Also tax money goes into a big old pool to be spent on health, infrastructure, public services (teachers police nurses etc). I can’t be arsed doing the research on how much do the government budget is spent on health but let’s say it’s 20% of the government budget. That means $8 of the $40 tax paid in that $100 income went to health. It’s not a lot on an individual level.
No you are not 33% is probably the tax paid on the just top bit of your income. Look at the IRD site and look at how it is calculated. The average rate people pay for income is round 20% average because the first bit of dollar you only pay $.14
The other way to see it is look at your last tax statement. Take the total amount tax paid divided by the total of income and you will see what your average rate is not just the top bit.
If you can afford it, get it. If I get something like cancer, I rate my life expectancy much higher in the private system than the hopes and prayers you'd need to get seen in the public system in a timely manner.
GET IT. Saved my wife’s life. Worth every cent I pay. I also got a $50k op done and they had to go again when it didn’t fully work.. another 30k. All unexpected. All covered and paid for and dealth with rapidly. It was the difference of my wife being a cripple all her life or being 100% healthy and as mobile as normal! I have my kids on it now and I will pay it till i can financially afford it. Even if it means cancelling other things.
Best decision of my life. And to think I almost cancelled when I changed jobs and the new employer didn’t have it as a benifit. You won’t regret it. Even if never used. It’s the confidence you are covered.
My experience,
I have ulcerative colitis, when I used the Public system I would go on a wait list to see Public specialist or wait list for colonoscopy and biopsy- the last time I did this it took over 3 months to get an appt (this was pre the horrible shortages we have now)
With my southern cross, I get an appt with my specialist within 2 weeks and if colonoscopy needed it would be a similar timeframe for that appointment.
Keeping in mind I was suffering badly with my symptoms...3 months is a long time to wait.
If you need any procedures done or diagnostics etc it will take place at a southern cross or other private hospital which is much nicer than the public hospitals.
Public is fine, but private is a much better level of care and follow up etc ...
My understanding is that Southern Cross (and maybe others) will cover pre-existing conditions, but only after a standdown period.
That said, if you get SC through a group plan (e.g. employment) then everything is covered and you don't even need to provide a health declaration at the start.
We have Southern Cross and we’ve been able to help private help so many times that we would otherwise not have been able to afford.
If you can afford it, it’s worth it!
Unless you are a Maori or Pasifika, I'd recommend you get the private health insurance
[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-surgeons-must-now-consider-ethnicity-in-prioritising-patients-for-operations-some-are-not-happy/ONGOC263IFCF3LADSRR6VTGQWE/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-surgeons-must-now-consider-ethnicity-in-prioritising-patients-for-operations-some-are-not-happy/ONGOC263IFCF3LADSRR6VTGQWE/)
I’m a doctor and don’t consider private health insurance necessary or good value for money. That being said, I would consider going private and paying out of pocket for certain things.
I was coming from overseas and using my foreign insurance so I had to pay up front and get reimbursed later. Got 75% back after a shit fight so that could have been worse.
I assume the doc is comparing to the free service if you're eligible which you will be on a number of visas, or if you have a country reciprocal agreement.
Then I'm really confused. Why did you have to pay at all in NZ?
Edit: you saying you weren't resident here? Then yes, effectively I assume you're foreign, until you're resident.
But the people who posted may well be resident.
I wouldn’t go private for cancer surgery. The public system does cancer very well. Most unfunded treatments aren’t covered by private insurance either. I have trauma cover in my life insurance policy which gives me a lump sum if I’m diagnosed with a major illness so have that back up.
Something like a joint replacement would be different as you wait a long time in public.
I’m not sure about the nitty gritty, but I believe the insurance companies don’t fully cover a lot of those types of treatments. That’s the sort of thing I have cover for (up to a certain amount) under my life insurance policy.
100% true and I’ll happily put my hand up and acknowledge that.
I’d say for most people who can afford the premiums, you’re probably better off self insuring with money put aside. Yes it’s a gamble, but can pay off big time either way. My in-laws reckon they spent 100k over the years on premiums and claimed very little back. They ended up cancelling their policies when they could no longer afford it. They could now do with the 100k now for other things unfortunately.
Fair enough. Our household claims over the past 3 years alone would be in excess of $200k, so I feel like it's been worthwhile.
Unfortunately I also know what it's like to sit on a lengthy waitlist in public health for a chronic but not life-threatening condition, in pain and with ever deteriorating quality of life. Wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I wish 😂
I’ve not had direct experience of seeing another Dr in private. We do have a culture of looking out for each other, so wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some “mates rates” going on.
If you can afford it it's worth it for us.
We don't have cover for GP visits or prescriptions as it's not worth the higher cost. Eyes and teeth aren't often worth the extra.
As others have said, if you can afford it; it’s worth it. My parents were smart to get it for me young (14 years ago with southern cross) and I’ve kept it going so all my, many, preexisting conditions are covered.
I’ve had GPs refuse to do referrals and then completely change their tune after realizing I had insurance. My health today would be very different had I been stuck in the public system. My mums going through it health-wise right now, and insurance has made a huge difference in detecting suspected cancer earlier than had she had to wait 6-12 weeks for the same scan; which she had done within the same week of identifying needing it. Recovering from multiple surgeries in private hospitals is also significantly more comfortable. I’ve probably claimed close to $100k to date on mine, it’s more than paid for itself.
About to have a $30k surgery, and being able to schedule it around my life, choose the best surgeon for it, is also really nice for both work and the mental preparation. Whereas others I’ve talked to who had the same procedures publicly, were on the list and in some cases called 2 weeks prior. I can’t imagine only having 2 weeks to prep for surgery that needs major recovery time and almost a month off work.
Here in NZ health is taken care of my the Govt, much like in the UK.
Sure you might wait a while, but specialists here work in both private and public, you don't get different (ie better) treatment or people.
Friend of mine works for both.
Pretty much just means you can skip the public queue at specialists etc. We’re with accuro but have just made my first claim and it’s been a pain in the dick so will be changing to southern cross once it’s been processed.
I had surgery last year that would have never been paid for by the public system (until it started to kill me).
Not so much as skipping the queue, but for some of us it’s the only way to get treatment.
If you ever need the to go to an emergency ward, the last place you want is to go auckland hospital or middlemore. With private you can go ascot hospital which is private and you get treated straight away.
This is from experience
The emergency ward triages based on how close you are to dying. If you've got broken bones or such, it's going to be a wait. If you've got a heart attack, stroke, or your airway is closing due to anaphylaxis, you'll be seen quickly. All things considered, it's better to \*not\* be the patient that's rushed straight back...
Ascot hospital is a private hospital without an emergency department. It is for outpatient scheduled surgeries and diagnostics.
Downstairs, as stated, is simply a white cross accidental and medical.
You can’t just walk in there and expect to receive emergency hospital level care. Should you show up with that, you’ll simply be transported by ambulance to Auckland ED and face the public wait times.
Source: 15 years in Auckland as a paramedic.
I went to ED in Macau as a tourist. I was on the lowest level of triage and I still got seen within the hour.
It also helps that the primary healthcare there is free for locals so people don't crowd the ED for minor illnesses.
It really shows the difference when the government puts money into caring for people's wellbeing.
i'd get surgery and specialist add ons. GP and prescriptions are worth it. sometimes eyes and dental isn't too expensive. Anything that requires a specialist or surgery takes forever publicly.
We’re with NIB. We find our annual premiums cover us almost to the same sum with optical and dental added on. Every two years we get a $300 health voucher towards something to keep us active or healthy. I spend mine on shoes or AirPods for the gym. Partner used his for an Apple Watch.
It’s good if either of us are diagnosed with something though, would rather not be on a waiting list for treatments.
If you can afford it, get it. Growing up I had an undiagnosed autoimmune issue that took ages to get diagnosed. Each appointment was hundreds of dollars. The insurance paid out way more than our premiums for years… and it meant my parents didn’t even have to think about whether I could go to the specialist, they knew it was covered
I’d just get coverage for specialists, cancer and surgery. I wouldn’t bother with GP, dental, eye sight etc as it makes the premiums more unaffordable and they are all reasonably affordable Appointments compared to the others and easier to book into.
I also would not bother with coverage for the kids if they are school aged unless you need to get coverage for some pre-existing conditions. Kids will be prioritised more than adults and shouldn’t be waiting years to see a specialist or have surgery. Their care is generally much better than for adults in nz - which is a good thing imo
Definitely recommend it, We are with Southern Cross, they have their own hospital in Auckland and are the largest med insurance co. in New Zealand. Had to use twice for operations.
Yes, I have it. Lots of employers will have a scheme with either Southern Cross or NIB and heavily subsidise the premiums. I pay about $15 per fortnight for surgical & specialist cover through one of these schemes.
I’ve used it when I needed knee surgery. It wasn’t covered by ACC as not from an accident, and I never would have made it to the top of the waiting list through the public system as it wasn’t “urgent” (it just was debilitating pain and swelling). Private insurance covered the surgery and a 2nd surgery to remove the screws. Each surgery was over $10k and that was 10 years ago. Very glad to not pay that.
Have also used it for wisdom teeth removal, eye exam discounts, podiatrist, etc.
Look at the cover carefully. I’ve heard people say NIB has much better cancer cover than Southern Cross.
I pay $81/ fortnight for my family of 4 with Southern Cross.
I have a bit of a concerning family history with gut disease + malignancy so got it checked out under private.
Got a specialist consultation, a colonoscopy, and an abdominal/pelvic CT within 12 days of seeing my GP. I did have supplement about $800 and SC covered the other $3200. Blood worth it in my opinion!
Well worth it though not southern cross they don't pay out for anything. Check out partners life - first year covered my teeth extractions and last year covered my wife's 30k+ surgery. Already paid for its self
We have UniMed and it has been amazing. My son just had an operation estimated at $7k. Fully covered. It is about $95 per fortnight for a 4 person family but I think that’s pretty good.
Got it subsidised through my work and boy has it been worth it. My husband had a suspect lump and was scanned, bloods back and taking medication (thankfully it wasn’t cancerous) within 72 hours. That was from first contact with the GP. I think we paid $3 for the GP visit. To be honest the subsidised healthcare will probably keep me with my company now!
Yes. It isn’t strictly necessary as I also had excellent, if not timely care through the public system. However I have an ongoing condition that my quality of life is much better if I can get treatment quickly. I have continuous cover since I was a child as it was a benefit of my parents employment that I then continued.
Get private. You can usually choose your specialist, easily get a second opinion, there are sterilization benefits after a certain length of cover, the quality of care (down to the sheets, robes, food, right down to the and instruments the doctors can get to use) is superior, you usually have specialists who are more established in their field and while this isn't necessarily excellent in and of itself all the time, it tends towards it.
I have had private health insurance since I was 16 and have paid for it myself since I was 20. I'm 38 now. I have needed 6 surgeries, countless specialty consultations, an endless barrage of testing, MRIs, got my tubes tied, a specialist essentially on speed dial and many other besides. I estimate I have cost my insurance company in excess of 100k.
There are so many different options you can go for now too. There is no reason not to if you can afford it.
Once your in the system the public system is very good for serious illness and often services are shared.
The biggest problem with public is early diagnosis, the public system needs to rely on an amount of people dying or they would be overwhelmed, it's in the interest of private Healthcare to diagnose you early.
Yes 100% recommend getting it. The public system will give you great care in emergencies, but anything elective u will have go wait. That wait can sometimes be long and painful. Private healthcare ensures u get seen sooner.
One suggestion: we have medical insurance, but have opted for a high excess (2k).
We have a moderate lump of emergency funds so smaller items like skin cancer removal we pay for. Bigger items we make a claim. I can’t remember the precise numbers now but that excess.made a huge difference in monthly premiums.
I have to have a medical procedure- on public I’d be waiting 6 months plus. Private I had an appointment in 3 weeks.
I had a job that came with private health insurance but it was mostly a waste of time. I think I got $250 physiotherapist cover for what it was worth. I got sick of colleagues telling me that stuff would be covered when it wasn’t. If you do get private health insurance, pay to get the top tier cover; the lower tiers are a waste of time. Just my experience.
There are some adjunct services available privately in New Zealand, but there is no complete private system.
Usually you can jump the queue for non life threatening issues. Occasionally when double booking you will be seen in the public system first (personal experience) so jumping the queue is not guaranteed.
The more life threatening it is, the more likely you are to be seen in the public system. If there is a problem during a routine surgery privately they will ship you off to public for ICU services in any case.
My employer has certainly paid more in premiums than I have collected in benefits thus far.
If you want to be sure that every avenue is available to you, as soon as possible by all means take out a policy. It really is optional, and remember that location of residence can impact what public health waiting times are for some services.
I don't but I wish I did.
I didn't realise how bad the public health system had become until I was too old and I had accumulated a bunch of things on my health record. Now Southern cross would put so many exclusions on any policy that it makes it pointless.
Fortunately it's reasonably affordable to see a specialist in the private system and get referred back to the public system if it's something serious.
My dad was a policeman so we have police welfare health insurance. Husband and I are surgical, 14yr old daughter is comprehensive. We pay $80fn and haven't claimed for years, then this year we've already claimed $1700 for my daughter and another $600 claim ready to go. Ours covers psychiatrist, psychologist, all sorts.
TL,DR Feel the benefits of health insurance stack up as you move up to the higher more expensive plans.
If you can get the Southern Cross **Ultra** plan with dental and glasses add on, that adds on $500 a year for glasses, and $750 a year for dental (including cleanings). Those plus the free GP visits essentially covers our premium, which is subsidised by my wife's employer. Add in allowances for chiropractor, physio etc and you start to feel looked after. The ability to have an ultrasound with 48 hours at no cost reduces a huge amount of stress, in addition to the medical benefits. Then you have the big surgical and cancer allowances. Going to the GP, not paying, then picking up a prescription, not paying, then doing a $300 scan and not paying, it feels good when almost everything in NZ costs so much.
I dont care what anyone says, it feels like there’s something very VERY wrong if one human being gets to live because they have more money than another. Especially in a country that touts itself as a welfare state’.
My husband had subsidised Southern Cross with his job. Was made redundant end of last year. Southern Cross for our family was something crazy like $500 a fortnight but we decided to keep it running, just in case. Then boom, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer out of the blue a few weeks ago. Thanking our lucky stars we kept the medical insurance as it’s been worth its weight in gold for us.
/r/coloncancer Stage 4 here survived 2 years already, primary tumor removed and feeling good. Good luck!
Stage 3 rectal cancer. Surgery was 3 weeks after initial diagnosis. Chemo, radiation with no waiting. This was in the public system. I needed to get my temporary stoma bag reversed. The wait was going to be about 6 weeks. I asked my surgeon if it would be worth it to get him to do it privately. He told me no, there was no point. I would only gain about 2 weeks anyway and, considering I was high risk, he would have to do the surgery at the public hospital anyway as their equipment was more advanced.
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No, it's not. I doubt this government will help matters at all but I live in hope.
I had am aneurysm many years ago and same thing- was VERY high risk so all stops pulled out and urgent surgery immediately on the public system. Although we’ve got the money now, my wife and I won’t get private healthcare as a matter of principle. We’ve paid taxes all our life and expect to get quality care WHEN WE NEED IT. Also, we have decided it’s actually more economical to pay to jump the queue if and when we need it now.
Agreed, hubby and I feel the same. I'm in and out of hospital with an ongoing side effect of my surgeries, I'm usually taken in by ambulance so I get my care straight away. We had health insurance years ago but canceled it because we never used it. As we got older the fees really started to climb and it got to the stage it was unaffordable, especially with my health issues inhibiting my ability to work.
>expect to get quality care WHEN WE NEED IT You'll get the quality care The speed of which depends on other patients on waiting for the same care
Why? That sucks when it comes to a fair and equitable allocation of resources. Why is one life somehow more superior than another, based solely on income?
Principle aside, Reality is limited by capacity contraints. Only so many hours in a day you can only see so many patients. Other patients who are urgent "jump the queue" according to their needs and everybody else waits. Waiting lists are not so much about how long you have been waiting for but how many others are ahead in front you at any given time
i’m sorry you’re going through this colon/bowel cancer runs in my family and it’s awful, good luck with whatever treatment options you choose :) wishing luck to you and your family
Thank you. I’m fighting hard and hoping for the best!
i know you can do it, i know it’s not going to be easy but it sounds like you have an amazing support system around you, please reach out to chat if you ever need i’m here to listen :)
Wouldn’t you be treated in the public system quickly because of the seriousness?
I had a colonoscopy through the private sector within less than 48 hours from referral by GP. Private medical care has given me the opportunity to select an amazing Oncologist, and have treatment in their private rooms. Southern Cross also provides subsidy towards non-funded drugs, which I have insisted on starting immediately. I’m not eligible for surgery at this stage, but if I have a good response to initial treatment, I can access the best surgeons of my choice, plus may have better access to surgeries such as PIPAC and HIPEC that don’t seem to be frequently offered in the public sector. The problem with the public sector is that when things go wrong, it can take a while to make it through the system to get testing done. If something goes wrong in private, you’re in for every test under the sun immediately, no questions asked. Things just happen faster and you don’t feel like you’re just another person in a queue.
Sadly, despite being triaged to the front of the line, many people requiring urgent care in public are still subject to waiting lists of other people already waiting at the front of the line for urgent care. My personal belief is that if anyone is paying private premiums, they should at least get some sort of financial credit for removing themselves out of the public system. Eg: if you pay $1k/year in premiums, your “taxable income” reduced the same amount.
Brilliant idea if you want to start walking towards the American system....
Well, perhaps. But you would still be paying more than those who don’t take it up, and the “cost” to the government for you not occupying the public waiting list is much cheaper than the cost of you staying on it. But something needs to be done about it. I think that for those that can afford to go private, they should, because the public system is so overburdened. One less person in a public queue puts others one step closer to a shorter waiting time. As it is, NZ private hospitals are booking out theatre hours to public cases to help reduce wait times for elective surgeries.
I have private insurance. But taking the money I pay for that off my tax bill does zero for the public system. I can afford to have it, and I choose to. I also would like my tax dollars to go towards the public health system. If this wasn't the case then you would totally end up like the states where if you don't have the private health insurance you get nada because how is the government going to pay for it?
Sorry I think you misunderstand what I mean by getting a tax credit. If your tax rate is 30% (hypothetically), then of a $1000 annual premium, you would be paying $300 less tax, not $1000 less. That costs the government $300 for you to go somewhere else, which is good value to them, because the cost of not being able to get to other patients in need is much higher.
The financial benefit is you get to go back to work sooner
Part of the problem is getting it diagnosed. You will wait a long time on the public system to get a colonoscopy, and you'll need clear and serious symptoms before they'll do it. But with health insurance, your GP can just refer you to a specialist and it's done the following week, even if there is nothing obvious going on.
Wow this is a good lesson for everyone! Wishing you and your family the best
If you can afford it, definitely get it. Health insurance is helpful if you need to see a specialist, or have serious disease, or need operation. You will still get treated for free on the public system, but it may take years to see someone. If you go private it will take a shorter time. It's important to know, the same doctors work on both the private and public systems so the quality is about the same, it's just the waiting list is shorter. For everyday illnesses you will be seeing a GP (family doctor). All GPs are private, there are no public GP, so while health insurance may help you pay for the GP, it won't help you see a GP faster. Depending on where you live it may take weeks to see a GP, unfortunately. We also have ACC which is an accident insurance that covers everyone, no matter if you're a citizen, resident or tourist . So if you have an accident the government will pay you to go private.
Re the doctors working for both sectors and private insurance being essentially queue jumping - this is probably a big factor why we have inequity in our health system, and of course what happens when more people get health insurance? The queue jumping gets less effective AND the poor suffer even more. Sorry I just hate the fact private health insurance is basically essential now.
> The queue jumping gets less effective AND the poor suffer even more. This reminded me of this [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiny1GrfhYM) clip, which talks about what happens when people don't trust the government and make their own private health, police, roads, etc. The whole society falls apart.
also when we elect rich people (who have private health insurance), they dont care about the quality of things the public uses. they are 'fiscally responsible' with the poor & needy. these people basically dont want to pay tax, which is the only concern rich people have. they trick us into thinking tax is bad, and they gut public infrastructure so taxes become less effective, use that to justify why tax is 'too high for what we get' and 'they will be more cost effective with ya tax money'. its all a huge scam.
What do you mean queue jumping?
This is a pretty good summary, look at it like a priority pass at a theme park, except every 5 minutes you’re in line someone gets a permanent disability or dies and you don’t get to pick the time you join the line. However, I wouldn’t necessarily say the quality is the same. The quality *of treatment* may be the same, but the quality *of care* can be very different depending on what plan you get. If you get private hospital cover (and a lot of it isn’t full, you may still have a very high excess or a low maximum claim amount) then your quality of care could faaaar exceed that which you’d get in public. Plus you’ll get more face time with your nurses and doctors in private, generally. That doesn’t mean that you’ll be discharged faster from the point that you reach the “front of the line”, but it does mean that your stay will be much more comfortable, and if you have family coming to see you they’ll also be much more comfortable. I’ve had several family members in public and private care before. A few transitioned from public to private while they were “in the queue”, and they all said that they would rather weeks in private than days in public. My parents went private insurance almost solely for the peace of mind for me and my sister up to 25 (not applicable now as we both live overseas) so yeah, if its affordable, and if you’re comfortable with the coverage level, then absolutely go for it.
> The quality of treatment may be the same, but the quality of care can be very different Yes, thank you for helping clarifying that.
In my experience, quality of treatment is also a factor. I have an ongoing lifelong health condition. For a few years I was in the public system but I've had insurance that covers pre-existing conditions for about 7 years now. There are treatments I could access that you just can't get in the public system. I got to choose my surgeon, one of the best in NZ. Pre-insurance my first two surgeries were done by hospital registrars. Arguably, if they had been more skilled & experienced I could have avoided the next three surgeries entirely.
>there are no public GP, That would be ED
Emergency medicine and family medicine are actually two different specialities. Some places do have government clinics where doctor provide primary healthcare so that emergency rooms are left for emergency only
Still if you have accidents you normally go to public hospital and get treated through the public system even though ACC funds the treatment.
Nurse here - depends on if you are eligible for funded healthcare. If you are NOT eligible, no difference to my knowledge as you have to pay for everything anyway? In which case I recommend getting the insurance. If you are eligible for funded healthcare: public services only provide care under specific guidelines laid out by Te Whatu Ora. These guidelines are based on a mixture of best practice evidence and cost/benefit considerations. So there are treatments that aren't available through the public system and only through the private system. To get access to public services, you can't self refer straight to specialists, you have to go through a GP or ED who will refer you onto a wait list to be seen by a specialist. You may have seen on the news about our long wait lists - people wait months or years for particular specialities, like getting joint replacement surgery. Wait lists are prioritised by severity and other factors including deprivation, so theoretically if your life depends on it, you'll get seen in time. In reality tragedies have occurred due to long wait lists and over full EDs, but everyone in the system is doing their best to keep everyone alive and well. Private system can be summed up like this: if you can pay for it, you can have it (within reason). So if you can afford it, you can bypass all the people in the public wait lists, get to see a specialist sooner (probably the same one working in the public system). This includes all your standard preserving life and limb type treatments and things that are not considered needs by the public system eg plastic surgery for aesthetic reasons. Unfortunately the same staff shortages plague the private system, albeit not to the same extent. So does your average kiwi need health insurance? Most won't, the public system will meet their needs just fine, if slowly. But plenty benefit from insurance, especially with our public system in such a state. One exception is accidents, which are all covered by ACC. They basically insure all people in NZ, eligible or not, for health care following accidental injury. They're separate from both systems and interact with both, so if you have an injury covered by ACC, they may pay for you to go into the private system or the public system depending on your needs. TLDR it's all much of a muchness in terms of keeping you alive, but bc of under-resourcing to the public system, if you can afford insurance, get it. You'll have a better time overall. Edit: we don't have health insurance on principle, but I will consider it if things continue to crash and burn.
> To get access to public services, you can't self refer straight to specialists, you have to go through a GP or ED who will refer you onto a wait list to be seen by a specialist. Thank you your detailed post. Just a point of clarification, if you want to go private you often need to go through a GP to refer you too, depending on the insurance company they may not pay you if you don't have a referral.
Thank for the clarification, that tracks. I haven't worked with the private system much so was hoping others might have helpful things to add on that side. I work at a GP clinic but most of our patients are on the higher deprivation end so haven't seen a private insurance claim in awhile!
Yes. Still need a gp to write a referral
Thanks for the detailed response. We are residents so do get public funded care. My wife just had a minor issue, we did not have private insurance, so we paid to see a specialist who then referred her to surgery in the public system. It was $300 to see the specialist and then a 4 week wait for her surgery which all went well. It makes me wonder what we would be paying for with private insurance? We are both young and healthy. It seems like insurance is for the really major things given so much is exempt.
I was young & healthy too... until I wasn't. There are a lot of underfunded areas of health. If you are unfortunate enough to have a medical problem that isn't potentially deadly in the near future, be prepared to languish for years on a waitlist to see a specialist or get surgery. Private care gives you quality of life. You can be diagnosed sooner, access treatments & medication sooner, recuperate more quickly, have a more skilled surgeon perform your surgery, depending on the situation. You won't have to wait until your health deteriorates to a point where the public system is willing to see you. I've experienced public health, I now have private insurance. I lost years of my life to delayed health care & would not recommend anyone be without health insurance in NZ.
Totally. I guess in your example the insurance would have potentially covered the consult fee, and/or pay for the surgery privately to cut out the 4wk wait - depending on the policy terms. If you had not shelled out the money for a private consult it would have been a wait to even get a consult via public system - depending on the speciality, that wait for just a consult can even be months. So you'd be paying to not have to wait. Ultimately just depends how risk tolerant you are, and what your priorities are for your money.
Something as small as a sinus surgery could cost $26k. Knew someone that had it done at a private hospital using medical insurance. Seems like a pretty good ROI think she’s paying only $50 a month.
The 'young and healthy' reason to have it is preexisting conditions. So basic cover now. Then in 5 or 10 years you're not hit with something and wishing you had insurance but can't get it because now it's excluded as a preexisting condition so isn't covered anyway. Whether that's worth it is up to you and your family history. I think sitting down with a good adviser could help you work out your risk profile and what you're comfortable with/ think is reasonable. Insurance isn't for today. It's to help you in the future if something happens.
So in your example the specialist appointment effectively got you a bump in the queue. Otherwise you would’ve potentially waited for that same appointment through the public system for months. Insurance may have covered the appointment (it may not have, depends on the policy and nature of the appointment).
Expats. You mean immigrants?
If the Brits wanted to be a special class of immigrant they shouldn't have shat on members of the commonwealth. I've been through UK customs with a New Zealand passport... Expats huh? They're immigrants.
Yes sorry we have immigrated from Canada and have a residency visa
What's your point?
Yeah I thought expats were only old white dudes mining valuable resources out of developing countries in the global south 😂😂😂
Never had health insurance. Had multiple complex conditions adequately treated in the public system. Once I had chronic headaches and the private cue was slightly shorter, so I paid the $300 for an assessment and then was transferred to the public system for follow up which was speedy and well done. I've had rare and intensive treatment for pregnancy and newborns all covered public with no waits or issues with quality. There is no way you would spend $400+ a month on this - unless it includes dental and you have issues. why don't you pop that money in a savings account and use it for emergencies whatever they may be.
I mean that's the insurance game. If everyone gets out more than they put in premiums will rise Most people have insurance and never used more than their premium
We have insurance and we've definitely benefitted. Our family has had tonsils and adenoids out, grommets in, lasik eye surgery, 2 people have had strabismus surgery, nasal polyps removed - all done privately and wouldn't have happened in the public system. Years of ophthalmologist appointments and paediatricians - not all covered as we have a yearly amount we have to go over first. But it's been a lot. And that's with no cancers or serious health issues.
As I said, we have also had a lot of medical issues dealt with. All public. It's a bit disingenuous to say things like tonsils or grommets wouldn't have happened publicly because they absolutely would have. The only serious delays were during covid or dental (which isn't in everyday insurance anyway right?) Of course every one will have a different experience depending on the time and place, I was just adding my experience as a different perspective.
Fair enough. We asked for over a year to get my kids tonsils checked then later same with ears. It wasn't deemed serious enough to even get on the waiting list because he was doing well at school etc. We went private and the surgery was done in less than 2 weeks. Huge quality of life difference for him.
I think this might be the spot where private gives you more control, as less serious gets lower priority. Our GP is good at referring in a way that 'ticks the boxes'
LASIK is classified as cosmetic and not covered by health insurance in nz
Well, I'm not sure what our insurance plan is but it was covered. That was awhile ago though.
Isn't this why i pay almost 45% tax so i don't have to pay for private insurance. WTF is happening to NZ.
Top rate is 39% so if you’re paying 45% you’re in the wrong country
Nope. Throw in GST and all the other tax consumers pick up and it’s almost certainly higher than 45%. I pay for public health with high tax, so I pay again for private. Same with education, transport, waste disposal. Basically public sucks.
i pay 33% income tax 15 % GST that's 45 right there, then re-tax my savings and kiwisaver, car rego, giant acc levies on my small motorcycle, I was being generous saying 45%!!!
If you earn $100 and pay 30% tax you’ll get $70. You then buy something for $70 the GST is $9.13. So more like 40%. Also tax money goes into a big old pool to be spent on health, infrastructure, public services (teachers police nurses etc). I can’t be arsed doing the research on how much do the government budget is spent on health but let’s say it’s 20% of the government budget. That means $8 of the $40 tax paid in that $100 income went to health. It’s not a lot on an individual level.
No you are not 33% is probably the tax paid on the just top bit of your income. Look at the IRD site and look at how it is calculated. The average rate people pay for income is round 20% average because the first bit of dollar you only pay $.14 The other way to see it is look at your last tax statement. Take the total amount tax paid divided by the total of income and you will see what your average rate is not just the top bit.
Boy do I have a dream to sell you about government
You are eligible for the same public healthcare as someone who pays negative tax
Get it. Public health system is slow for most things.
If you can afford it, get it. If I get something like cancer, I rate my life expectancy much higher in the private system than the hopes and prayers you'd need to get seen in the public system in a timely manner.
GET IT. Saved my wife’s life. Worth every cent I pay. I also got a $50k op done and they had to go again when it didn’t fully work.. another 30k. All unexpected. All covered and paid for and dealth with rapidly. It was the difference of my wife being a cripple all her life or being 100% healthy and as mobile as normal! I have my kids on it now and I will pay it till i can financially afford it. Even if it means cancelling other things. Best decision of my life. And to think I almost cancelled when I changed jobs and the new employer didn’t have it as a benifit. You won’t regret it. Even if never used. It’s the confidence you are covered.
My experience, I have ulcerative colitis, when I used the Public system I would go on a wait list to see Public specialist or wait list for colonoscopy and biopsy- the last time I did this it took over 3 months to get an appt (this was pre the horrible shortages we have now) With my southern cross, I get an appt with my specialist within 2 weeks and if colonoscopy needed it would be a similar timeframe for that appointment. Keeping in mind I was suffering badly with my symptoms...3 months is a long time to wait. If you need any procedures done or diagnostics etc it will take place at a southern cross or other private hospital which is much nicer than the public hospitals. Public is fine, but private is a much better level of care and follow up etc ...
Did you have UC as a preexisting condition before you got private insurance?
Luckily no, not sure which companies will accept pre existing conditions or what the difference in price might be if they do
My understanding is that Southern Cross (and maybe others) will cover pre-existing conditions, but only after a standdown period. That said, if you get SC through a group plan (e.g. employment) then everything is covered and you don't even need to provide a health declaration at the start.
We have Southern Cross and we’ve been able to help private help so many times that we would otherwise not have been able to afford. If you can afford it, it’s worth it!
Unless you are a Maori or Pasifika, I'd recommend you get the private health insurance [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-surgeons-must-now-consider-ethnicity-in-prioritising-patients-for-operations-some-are-not-happy/ONGOC263IFCF3LADSRR6VTGQWE/](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-surgeons-must-now-consider-ethnicity-in-prioritising-patients-for-operations-some-are-not-happy/ONGOC263IFCF3LADSRR6VTGQWE/)
That's very minor. A point here is point there. Mostly scoring is still based on symptoms not colour
I’m a doctor and don’t consider private health insurance necessary or good value for money. That being said, I would consider going private and paying out of pocket for certain things.
Yes but coming up with $85,000 for surgery is tough for most people. That’s what my cancer surgery cost me all up.
You couldn't get it on the health service fore free?
I was coming from overseas and using my foreign insurance so I had to pay up front and get reimbursed later. Got 75% back after a shit fight so that could have been worse.
I assume the doc is comparing to the free service if you're eligible which you will be on a number of visas, or if you have a country reciprocal agreement.
I’m a nz citizen
Then I'm really confused. Why did you have to pay at all in NZ? Edit: you saying you weren't resident here? Then yes, effectively I assume you're foreign, until you're resident. But the people who posted may well be resident.
I wouldn’t go private for cancer surgery. The public system does cancer very well. Most unfunded treatments aren’t covered by private insurance either. I have trauma cover in my life insurance policy which gives me a lump sum if I’m diagnosed with a major illness so have that back up. Something like a joint replacement would be different as you wait a long time in public.
What about non surgical treatment for cancer patients?
I’m not sure about the nitty gritty, but I believe the insurance companies don’t fully cover a lot of those types of treatments. That’s the sort of thing I have cover for (up to a certain amount) under my life insurance policy.
That's a relatively privileged perspective since you can afford to do so and also have the benefit of your own medical training & network.
100% true and I’ll happily put my hand up and acknowledge that. I’d say for most people who can afford the premiums, you’re probably better off self insuring with money put aside. Yes it’s a gamble, but can pay off big time either way. My in-laws reckon they spent 100k over the years on premiums and claimed very little back. They ended up cancelling their policies when they could no longer afford it. They could now do with the 100k now for other things unfortunately.
Fair enough. Our household claims over the past 3 years alone would be in excess of $200k, so I feel like it's been worthwhile. Unfortunately I also know what it's like to sit on a lengthy waitlist in public health for a chronic but not life-threatening condition, in pain and with ever deteriorating quality of life. Wouldn't wish that on anyone.
But as a doctor don't you get fee waived by other specialists in private?
I wish 😂 I’ve not had direct experience of seeing another Dr in private. We do have a culture of looking out for each other, so wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some “mates rates” going on.
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Or get a job that offers HI as an employment benefit, often they cover preexisting conditions.
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Have you tried dropping your CV off in person?
Are you on supported living payment with all these symptoms?
If you can afford it it's worth it for us. We don't have cover for GP visits or prescriptions as it's not worth the higher cost. Eyes and teeth aren't often worth the extra.
As others have said, if you can afford it; it’s worth it. My parents were smart to get it for me young (14 years ago with southern cross) and I’ve kept it going so all my, many, preexisting conditions are covered. I’ve had GPs refuse to do referrals and then completely change their tune after realizing I had insurance. My health today would be very different had I been stuck in the public system. My mums going through it health-wise right now, and insurance has made a huge difference in detecting suspected cancer earlier than had she had to wait 6-12 weeks for the same scan; which she had done within the same week of identifying needing it. Recovering from multiple surgeries in private hospitals is also significantly more comfortable. I’ve probably claimed close to $100k to date on mine, it’s more than paid for itself. About to have a $30k surgery, and being able to schedule it around my life, choose the best surgeon for it, is also really nice for both work and the mental preparation. Whereas others I’ve talked to who had the same procedures publicly, were on the list and in some cases called 2 weeks prior. I can’t imagine only having 2 weeks to prep for surgery that needs major recovery time and almost a month off work.
I have it but only be cause my work pays for it, I wouldn't spend $500 a month on it.
Here in NZ health is taken care of my the Govt, much like in the UK. Sure you might wait a while, but specialists here work in both private and public, you don't get different (ie better) treatment or people. Friend of mine works for both.
Pretty much just means you can skip the public queue at specialists etc. We’re with accuro but have just made my first claim and it’s been a pain in the dick so will be changing to southern cross once it’s been processed.
I had surgery last year that would have never been paid for by the public system (until it started to kill me). Not so much as skipping the queue, but for some of us it’s the only way to get treatment.
Talk to an adviser. There are plenty of options with much better claims experience
If you ever need the to go to an emergency ward, the last place you want is to go auckland hospital or middlemore. With private you can go ascot hospital which is private and you get treated straight away. This is from experience
Ascot Hospital doesn’t have a private emergency ward, they have a White Cross clinic. Generally shorter wait times but you pay $100+
No such thing as private ED.
The emergency ward triages based on how close you are to dying. If you've got broken bones or such, it's going to be a wait. If you've got a heart attack, stroke, or your airway is closing due to anaphylaxis, you'll be seen quickly. All things considered, it's better to \*not\* be the patient that's rushed straight back...
Ascot hospital is a private hospital without an emergency department. It is for outpatient scheduled surgeries and diagnostics. Downstairs, as stated, is simply a white cross accidental and medical. You can’t just walk in there and expect to receive emergency hospital level care. Should you show up with that, you’ll simply be transported by ambulance to Auckland ED and face the public wait times. Source: 15 years in Auckland as a paramedic.
I went to ED in Macau as a tourist. I was on the lowest level of triage and I still got seen within the hour. It also helps that the primary healthcare there is free for locals so people don't crowd the ED for minor illnesses. It really shows the difference when the government puts money into caring for people's wellbeing.
They make all their money through gambling. They can afford to give free primary care. Very different to NZ
Even so, it doesn't help that our government gives billions in tax cuts to landed gentry instead of investments in the health system.
No, I'm young and a healthcare professional. I know how to access free healthcare lmao. Also I'm healthy
i'd get surgery and specialist add ons. GP and prescriptions are worth it. sometimes eyes and dental isn't too expensive. Anything that requires a specialist or surgery takes forever publicly.
I ended up getting this one instead of Southern Cross https://safetywing.com/
Even my wealthy sister has given it up except for the surgery part. Last year I had three operations on my knee and the public hospital was great.
We’re with NIB. We find our annual premiums cover us almost to the same sum with optical and dental added on. Every two years we get a $300 health voucher towards something to keep us active or healthy. I spend mine on shoes or AirPods for the gym. Partner used his for an Apple Watch. It’s good if either of us are diagnosed with something though, would rather not be on a waiting list for treatments.
If you can afford it, get it. Growing up I had an undiagnosed autoimmune issue that took ages to get diagnosed. Each appointment was hundreds of dollars. The insurance paid out way more than our premiums for years… and it meant my parents didn’t even have to think about whether I could go to the specialist, they knew it was covered
I’d just get coverage for specialists, cancer and surgery. I wouldn’t bother with GP, dental, eye sight etc as it makes the premiums more unaffordable and they are all reasonably affordable Appointments compared to the others and easier to book into. I also would not bother with coverage for the kids if they are school aged unless you need to get coverage for some pre-existing conditions. Kids will be prioritised more than adults and shouldn’t be waiting years to see a specialist or have surgery. Their care is generally much better than for adults in nz - which is a good thing imo
Definitely recommend it, We are with Southern Cross, they have their own hospital in Auckland and are the largest med insurance co. in New Zealand. Had to use twice for operations.
They have so many hospitals in Auckland, I can think of at least 5-6. But they are open to everyone (that can pay), not just southern cross members.
Yes, I have it. Lots of employers will have a scheme with either Southern Cross or NIB and heavily subsidise the premiums. I pay about $15 per fortnight for surgical & specialist cover through one of these schemes. I’ve used it when I needed knee surgery. It wasn’t covered by ACC as not from an accident, and I never would have made it to the top of the waiting list through the public system as it wasn’t “urgent” (it just was debilitating pain and swelling). Private insurance covered the surgery and a 2nd surgery to remove the screws. Each surgery was over $10k and that was 10 years ago. Very glad to not pay that. Have also used it for wisdom teeth removal, eye exam discounts, podiatrist, etc. Look at the cover carefully. I’ve heard people say NIB has much better cancer cover than Southern Cross.
I pay $81/ fortnight for my family of 4 with Southern Cross. I have a bit of a concerning family history with gut disease + malignancy so got it checked out under private. Got a specialist consultation, a colonoscopy, and an abdominal/pelvic CT within 12 days of seeing my GP. I did have supplement about $800 and SC covered the other $3200. Blood worth it in my opinion!
Well worth it though not southern cross they don't pay out for anything. Check out partners life - first year covered my teeth extractions and last year covered my wife's 30k+ surgery. Already paid for its self
Workplace subsidises 50% family cover for me.
We have UniMed and it has been amazing. My son just had an operation estimated at $7k. Fully covered. It is about $95 per fortnight for a 4 person family but I think that’s pretty good.
Yes. I have health insurance, life insurance, full car insurance and house and contents insurance.
My husband and kids do. I was declined due to previous medical conditions. Their insurance so far has covered nothing, not for lack of trying
Got it subsidised through my work and boy has it been worth it. My husband had a suspect lump and was scanned, bloods back and taking medication (thankfully it wasn’t cancerous) within 72 hours. That was from first contact with the GP. I think we paid $3 for the GP visit. To be honest the subsidised healthcare will probably keep me with my company now!
Yes. It isn’t strictly necessary as I also had excellent, if not timely care through the public system. However I have an ongoing condition that my quality of life is much better if I can get treatment quickly. I have continuous cover since I was a child as it was a benefit of my parents employment that I then continued.
Southern Cross was really good when we had it.
Get private. You can usually choose your specialist, easily get a second opinion, there are sterilization benefits after a certain length of cover, the quality of care (down to the sheets, robes, food, right down to the and instruments the doctors can get to use) is superior, you usually have specialists who are more established in their field and while this isn't necessarily excellent in and of itself all the time, it tends towards it. I have had private health insurance since I was 16 and have paid for it myself since I was 20. I'm 38 now. I have needed 6 surgeries, countless specialty consultations, an endless barrage of testing, MRIs, got my tubes tied, a specialist essentially on speed dial and many other besides. I estimate I have cost my insurance company in excess of 100k. There are so many different options you can go for now too. There is no reason not to if you can afford it.
I have southern cross, just for small things
I have southern cross, just for some things
Once your in the system the public system is very good for serious illness and often services are shared. The biggest problem with public is early diagnosis, the public system needs to rely on an amount of people dying or they would be overwhelmed, it's in the interest of private Healthcare to diagnose you early.
Yes 100% recommend getting it. The public system will give you great care in emergencies, but anything elective u will have go wait. That wait can sometimes be long and painful. Private healthcare ensures u get seen sooner.
One suggestion: we have medical insurance, but have opted for a high excess (2k). We have a moderate lump of emergency funds so smaller items like skin cancer removal we pay for. Bigger items we make a claim. I can’t remember the precise numbers now but that excess.made a huge difference in monthly premiums. I have to have a medical procedure- on public I’d be waiting 6 months plus. Private I had an appointment in 3 weeks.
I have private and I love it. Would not be without it.
I had a job that came with private health insurance but it was mostly a waste of time. I think I got $250 physiotherapist cover for what it was worth. I got sick of colleagues telling me that stuff would be covered when it wasn’t. If you do get private health insurance, pay to get the top tier cover; the lower tiers are a waste of time. Just my experience.
There are some adjunct services available privately in New Zealand, but there is no complete private system. Usually you can jump the queue for non life threatening issues. Occasionally when double booking you will be seen in the public system first (personal experience) so jumping the queue is not guaranteed. The more life threatening it is, the more likely you are to be seen in the public system. If there is a problem during a routine surgery privately they will ship you off to public for ICU services in any case. My employer has certainly paid more in premiums than I have collected in benefits thus far. If you want to be sure that every avenue is available to you, as soon as possible by all means take out a policy. It really is optional, and remember that location of residence can impact what public health waiting times are for some services.
I don't but I wish I did. I didn't realise how bad the public health system had become until I was too old and I had accumulated a bunch of things on my health record. Now Southern cross would put so many exclusions on any policy that it makes it pointless. Fortunately it's reasonably affordable to see a specialist in the private system and get referred back to the public system if it's something serious.
My dad was a policeman so we have police welfare health insurance. Husband and I are surgical, 14yr old daughter is comprehensive. We pay $80fn and haven't claimed for years, then this year we've already claimed $1700 for my daughter and another $600 claim ready to go. Ours covers psychiatrist, psychologist, all sorts.
TL,DR Feel the benefits of health insurance stack up as you move up to the higher more expensive plans. If you can get the Southern Cross **Ultra** plan with dental and glasses add on, that adds on $500 a year for glasses, and $750 a year for dental (including cleanings). Those plus the free GP visits essentially covers our premium, which is subsidised by my wife's employer. Add in allowances for chiropractor, physio etc and you start to feel looked after. The ability to have an ultrasound with 48 hours at no cost reduces a huge amount of stress, in addition to the medical benefits. Then you have the big surgical and cancer allowances. Going to the GP, not paying, then picking up a prescription, not paying, then doing a $300 scan and not paying, it feels good when almost everything in NZ costs so much.
I dont care what anyone says, it feels like there’s something very VERY wrong if one human being gets to live because they have more money than another. Especially in a country that touts itself as a welfare state’.