health coverage on temporary visa?
Jun 19th 2007, 4:13 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 79
health coverage on temporary visa?
Does anyone know what sort of health coverage you're entitled to on a temporary work visa?
Should I get health insurance as if going on holiday, until I can get my permanent visa? Or is there some coverage, eg for emergencies but not general doctor visits etc?
Should I get health insurance as if going on holiday, until I can get my permanent visa? Or is there some coverage, eg for emergencies but not general doctor visits etc?
Jun 20th 2007, 6:39 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Northland New Zealand
Posts: 587
Re: health coverage on temporary visa?
Originally Posted by Amber and Chris
Does anyone know what sort of health coverage you're entitled to on a temporary work visa?
Should I get health insurance as if going on holiday, until I can get my permanent visa? Or is there some coverage, eg for emergencies but not general doctor visits etc?
Should I get health insurance as if going on holiday, until I can get my permanent visa? Or is there some coverage, eg for emergencies but not general doctor visits etc?
we are here on temporary visas and we are covered the same as anyone else...you pay for a docs visit over here irrespective of your residency status...dentist is mega expensive but again same for everyone...$180.00 a filling!
Jun 20th 2007, 8:01 am
#3
BE Site Lead & Admin
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Below
Posts: 34,260
Re: health coverage on temporary visa?
Hope this helps. 
also
and a link to health system and eligibility
United Kingdom citizens visiting New Zealand
Citizens of the United Kingdom living in the UK who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis (less than 2 years) can receive urgent medical treatment in New Zealand under the Reciprocal Health Agreement between New Zealand and the UK.
If your treatment qualifies under the agreement, you will receive medical treatment on the same basis as New Zealanders would receive it, so it may not be exactly the same as the treatment you would get in the UK.
In practice this means that you pay:
* The costs of visits to a GP
* For GP-referred laboratory and diagnostic tests
* For private specialists
* Full costs for prescription items prescribed by a GP when not associated with an acute event.
If the medical treatment relates to an existing medical condition, then a medical specialist must agree that treatment is needed to stop the condition getting seriously worse if it is to be provided under the Reciprocal Health Agreement. Dental treatment for people aged under 16 and public hospital in-patient treatment is free.
Citizens of the United Kingdom living in the UK who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis (less than 2 years) can receive urgent medical treatment in New Zealand under the Reciprocal Health Agreement between New Zealand and the UK.
If your treatment qualifies under the agreement, you will receive medical treatment on the same basis as New Zealanders would receive it, so it may not be exactly the same as the treatment you would get in the UK.
In practice this means that you pay:
* The costs of visits to a GP
* For GP-referred laboratory and diagnostic tests
* For private specialists
* Full costs for prescription items prescribed by a GP when not associated with an acute event.
If the medical treatment relates to an existing medical condition, then a medical specialist must agree that treatment is needed to stop the condition getting seriously worse if it is to be provided under the Reciprocal Health Agreement. Dental treatment for people aged under 16 and public hospital in-patient treatment is free.
United Kingdom citizens settling in New Zealand
If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom and you move to New Zealand for a period of two years or more you are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand. This includes holders of work permits that allow a stay of two consecutive years or more. This means you will receive treatment on the same basis as New Zealanders. See above for details of what you would pay for in practice.
If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom and you move to New Zealand for a period of two years or more you are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand. This includes holders of work permits that allow a stay of two consecutive years or more. This means you will receive treatment on the same basis as New Zealanders. See above for details of what you would pay for in practice.
Jun 21st 2007, 9:45 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 79
Re: health coverage on temporary visa?
Thanks for these...though I still don't quite know - I am UK citizen with UK passport but have been living in Canada for 3 years - and the eligibility website says you have to be living in the UK... emailing the ministry they just say look at the website!
Just want to be able to get treatment if my appendix bursts - everything else can wait!
Ah well thanks for the info folks I will keep trying to check...
Just want to be able to get treatment if my appendix bursts - everything else can wait!
Ah well thanks for the info folks I will keep trying to check...
Jun 22nd 2007, 12:01 am
#5
BE Site Lead & Admin
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Below
Posts: 34,260
Re: health coverage on temporary visa?
To access publicly-funded health services , you must be lawfully in New Zealand at the time of seeking services and be:
* A holder of a work permit who:
* holds a current permit that is issued for a period of two years or more, or
* holds a current permit that allows you to remain in New Zealand for a period of time that, when added together with the time you've already been lawfully in New Zealand, amounts to two consecutive years or more (eg people who have had their work permit renewed).
* A holder of a work permit who:
* holds a current permit that is issued for a period of two years or more, or
* holds a current permit that allows you to remain in New Zealand for a period of time that, when added together with the time you've already been lawfully in New Zealand, amounts to two consecutive years or more (eg people who have had their work permit renewed).
The short answer is yes,you can get treatment. No worries.
There is a reciprocal agreement.
I would expect there would be a form to fill in if you need to remain in hospital for any reason, so that the NZ health board can claim from the UK health service.
For visits to the quacks you will pay, just as we all do.
Last edited by BEVS; Jun 22nd 2007 at 12:03 am. Reason: to add quote from the elegibility site.
