Health Insurance

Old Feb 18th 2009, 1:06 am
  #1  
Queen of the Underworld
Thread Starter
 
Persephone's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: In NZ!
Posts: 4,785
Persephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond reputePersephone has a reputation beyond repute
Default Health Insurance

Hi
Now I'm over in NZ I'm starting to think about things like healthcare and doctors and was just wondering about whether people tend to have insurance or not. Obviously with the NHS in the UK I have never had health insurance before in my life.
Is it worth bothering with now I'm in NZ as a permanent resident or is the health system as it stands adequate? Do many New Zealanders bother paying out for it? Mr Sue hasn't been much help as far as this is concerned...

I also need to register with a doctor, is it as simple as phoning round and just finding one who'll have me I know I'll have to pay for appointments Is there a website that lists those in my local area? Strangely enough I cannot find them in the Yellow Pages

Thanks
Sue
Persephone is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 1:13 am
  #2  
BE Enthusiast
 
kiwinow's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 794
kiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Health Insurance

We've never had it and our parents never had it. We were advised that if you could produce five thousand dollars instantly you don't need it. However, prices are going up and we've never actually needed it. If you do need it perhaps it's different.
kiwinow is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 1:48 am
  #3  
BE Enthusiast
 
newkiwi's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 977
newkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to beholdnewkiwi is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Health Insurance

Originally Posted by Sue R
Hi
Now I'm over in NZ I'm starting to think about things like healthcare and doctors and was just wondering about whether people tend to have insurance or not. Obviously with the NHS in the UK I have never had health insurance before in my life.
Is it worth bothering with now I'm in NZ as a permanent resident or is the health system as it stands adequate? Do many New Zealanders bother paying out for it? Mr Sue hasn't been much help as far as this is concerned...

I also need to register with a doctor, is it as simple as phoning round and just finding one who'll have me I know I'll have to pay for appointments Is there a website that lists those in my local area? Strangely enough I cannot find them in the Yellow Pages

Thanks
Sue
most empoyers offer some sort of private healthcare as part of the employment package. The biggest healthcare provider is probalby southern cross, you can look on their website to see what the rates etc are.
Private healthcare is usually taken to get you off waiting lists should you need surgery, or to refund part of doctors consultation fees. Unlike the NHS you have to pay when you go and see a doctor.I dont think you have to officially register with a GP like the UK, but it probalby is a good idea to have a regular GP.

For emergencies etc you are covered under the public health system. if you require treatment becasue of an accident you can claim back costs through ACC

Ive luckily never had to go to hospital so cant really comment on the standard of service. Judging by the number of UK nurses working in Nz youd think it would be similar??
newkiwi is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 3:12 am
  #4  
BE Enthusiast
 
kiwinow's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 794
kiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of lightkiwinow is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Health Insurance

Most employers? I think it depends where you are employed. I've never had it as part of my package and neither has my OH.
kiwinow is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 3:50 am
  #5  
Sleazy Dippin Doodle
 
Kiwiprincess's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2007
Location: wellington
Posts: 1,363
Kiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond reputeKiwiprincess has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Health Insurance

Really? I have never had it as part of my contract but even the small companies I have worked for have been in some sort of group scheme. I think (think...not know) that the minimum for a group scheme is generally 4 people but they also sometimes keep the scheme going at workplaces simply because they want to keep 'in' with the company.

Just about anyone I know who has had to use their private health insurance at any point has been very thankful they had it. A big thing for them was the difference between urgent vs something which is incredibly painful but not particularly urgent.

I have health insurance for surgical and specialist care. I am happy with that as a bare minimum. Some things would certainly be good to have (dental, optometrist, physio) but to me, the specialist assistance and surgical assistance are the things which I would prioritise - other things I could hopefully plan for. Dental would be great, but one thing I found out recently was that my dentist was happy to refer me to/suggest oral surgeons (which is covered by the plan) for work which the oral surgeon is able to do (particular extractions, fillings). Of course, then it comes down to whether they would be willing to do it!
Kiwiprincess is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 4:36 am
  #6  
Truth is the safest lie.
 
Charismatic's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,239
Charismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond reputeCharismatic has a reputation beyond repute
Smile Re: Health Insurance

It's a good idea to have if only because you get preferential treatment in hospitals etc. (and rightly so since you are using some of your own money to foot the bill ). Never had an oppertunity to make use of it though (thankfully!).
Charismatic is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 5:19 am
  #7  
BE Enthusiast
 
nero's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Mission Bay, Auckland
Posts: 649
nero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond reputenero has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Health Insurance

We have not bothered with health insurance and try to put a little away each fortnight for dental and other health related costs. Think about it every so on but when we work out the costs we decide to save the money instead for that rainy day!
It is worth registering with a GP as it takes a little while before you get in the system and get a reduced cost for visits etc. The link below explains enrolling with a GP etc. Note there is not a standard cost for seeing a GP and you can pay as little as $25 to $75 for visiting as an adult - depends on the GP Practice.
Hope this helps a little
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/index...-pho-enrolment
nero is offline  
Old Feb 18th 2009, 10:45 am
  #8  
BE Enthusiast
 
julesnye's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Was East Sussex, Now Titirangi, Auckland.
Posts: 771
julesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to beholdjulesnye is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Health Insurance

Hi Nero,
I see you're in Mission Bay, my families there.
Just thought I'd mention it.
julesnye is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.