National health service
Apr 4th 2005, 4:50 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 88
National health service
Can anyone who has used it tell me what the national health service is like in NZ? Cost of prescriptions etc.
Apr 6th 2005, 1:16 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 167
Re: National health service
Originally Posted by cornerofsilence
Can anyone who has used it tell me what the national health service is like in NZ? Cost of prescriptions etc.
As far as I know you pay for visits to the doctor etc as well as the prescriptions. I am going for a scan tomorrow (am pregnant) and have to pay $30 of it myself. When I went to the doctor recently I paid $30 I think.
Sorry that is all I can help you with.........we are from Scotland and only been here a short time. Returning to Scotland in 3 months so not had much need to use the health system here.
Apr 6th 2005, 4:42 am
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: christchurch/ back in UK
Posts: 8
Re: National health service
For a visit to the doctors, it sets us back $45 for the one appointment, my kids cost $20 for an appointment.
My daughters prescription costs us $10, then we have 3 months of repeats that we haven't paid for (she needs regular medication).
My daughter was taken into hospital also and we didn't pay anything.
Hopes this helps a little
Joanne
My daughters prescription costs us $10, then we have 3 months of repeats that we haven't paid for (she needs regular medication).
My daughter was taken into hospital also and we didn't pay anything.
Hopes this helps a little
Joanne
Apr 6th 2005, 8:10 am
#4
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chrischurch
Posts: 14
Re: National health service
Costs for visiting the doctors seem to vary a lot, but we also pay $45 per visit (less for children).
Subsidised medicines are $15 per item, and if you're on regular medication you can get up to 3 months worth for that. Our doctor also charges $5 for providing a repeat prescription, so as I am on long term medication I get a member of the family to get him to write me one whenever they visit him, which he does for no extra charge...
To get the pills for $15 they have to be on the approved list (the same as in the UK). If they're not you end up picking up the full cost, which can be large. If you take any medication it could be discussing what the possible alternatives are with your doctor before leaving the UK as some may be on the list here and others not. The difference in cost would be substantial!
Some people will hate me for saying it, but one of the differences in having to pay something to see the doctor is that you can get an immediate appointment most of the time. I often phone from work in mid afternoon to be offered an appointment a few hours later. In the UK it would be days and days unless you were at death's door.
I've only been to the dentists once since arriving and he spent about 45 mins poking around including x-rays plus the best scale and polish I've ever had. I was considering having some whitening treatment before I went, but he did such a good job that I don't need it any more. Total cost was less than $70. And this was for an appointment on Saturday morning!!!
Subsidised medicines are $15 per item, and if you're on regular medication you can get up to 3 months worth for that. Our doctor also charges $5 for providing a repeat prescription, so as I am on long term medication I get a member of the family to get him to write me one whenever they visit him, which he does for no extra charge...
To get the pills for $15 they have to be on the approved list (the same as in the UK). If they're not you end up picking up the full cost, which can be large. If you take any medication it could be discussing what the possible alternatives are with your doctor before leaving the UK as some may be on the list here and others not. The difference in cost would be substantial!
Some people will hate me for saying it, but one of the differences in having to pay something to see the doctor is that you can get an immediate appointment most of the time. I often phone from work in mid afternoon to be offered an appointment a few hours later. In the UK it would be days and days unless you were at death's door.
I've only been to the dentists once since arriving and he spent about 45 mins poking around including x-rays plus the best scale and polish I've ever had. I was considering having some whitening treatment before I went, but he did such a good job that I don't need it any more. Total cost was less than $70. And this was for an appointment on Saturday morning!!!
Apr 6th 2005, 8:24 am
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 119
Re: National health service
There is no national insurance contribution in NZ. Visits to the doctor are free for children 6 and under and reduced fees for school age children. My wife and I pay $160 per month medical insurance. Doctors visits, presciptions and private surgical and specialist fees are fully reimbursed. There are cheaper plans available. Cheers binman
Apr 6th 2005, 9:23 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 167
Re: National health service
Originally Posted by GeorgeM
Costs for visiting the doctors seem to vary a lot, but we also pay $45 per visit (less for children).
Subsidised medicines are $15 per item, and if you're on regular medication you can get up to 3 months worth for that. Our doctor also charges $5 for providing a repeat prescription, so as I am on long term medication I get a member of the family to get him to write me one whenever they visit him, which he does for no extra charge...
To get the pills for $15 they have to be on the approved list (the same as in the UK). If they're not you end up picking up the full cost, which can be large. If you take any medication it could be discussing what the possible alternatives are with your doctor before leaving the UK as some may be on the list here and others not. The difference in cost would be substantial!
Some people will hate me for saying it, but one of the differences in having to pay something to see the doctor is that you can get an immediate appointment most of the time. I often phone from work in mid afternoon to be offered an appointment a few hours later. In the UK it would be days and days unless you were at death's door.
I've only been to the dentists once since arriving and he spent about 45 mins poking around including x-rays plus the best scale and polish I've ever had. I was considering having some whitening treatment before I went, but he did such a good job that I don't need it any more. Total cost was less than $70. And this was for an appointment on Saturday morning!!!
Subsidised medicines are $15 per item, and if you're on regular medication you can get up to 3 months worth for that. Our doctor also charges $5 for providing a repeat prescription, so as I am on long term medication I get a member of the family to get him to write me one whenever they visit him, which he does for no extra charge...
To get the pills for $15 they have to be on the approved list (the same as in the UK). If they're not you end up picking up the full cost, which can be large. If you take any medication it could be discussing what the possible alternatives are with your doctor before leaving the UK as some may be on the list here and others not. The difference in cost would be substantial!
Some people will hate me for saying it, but one of the differences in having to pay something to see the doctor is that you can get an immediate appointment most of the time. I often phone from work in mid afternoon to be offered an appointment a few hours later. In the UK it would be days and days unless you were at death's door.
I've only been to the dentists once since arriving and he spent about 45 mins poking around including x-rays plus the best scale and polish I've ever had. I was considering having some whitening treatment before I went, but he did such a good job that I don't need it any more. Total cost was less than $70. And this was for an appointment on Saturday morning!!!
