[nickbraddock]

Hi,
we have now been told that we can submit a medical for my wife so that they can give us an opinion as to whether we wil be accepted or not and then we can submit a new EOI, they would NOT let us re-instate our application but came up with this as a compromise.
My wife is slightly concerned about health care in NZ and I was wanting some advice if anyone has any. My question is, as my wife has had thyroid cancer, would she be covered on the NHS in NZ?? If not, would any insurance companies cover us or would they cover everything else other that her thyroid cancer condition?? The main problem would be if she required more radiation treatment in the future, which is not too likely, but if he did and we had to pay, we would be stuck and may end up having to sell up to pay for it.
I hope this makes sense, anyone in a similar position out there?? Any advice on the NHS system in NZ appreciated.
By the way, if we are successful, I have been told that my wife could get a medical waiver, whatever that means.
Thanks
Nick

[Hannah]

Hi Nick,
It is my understanding that health care for those with life threatening conditions is free, and for those with health conditions that are not life threatening the treatment will generally be free but you may well wait for a long time to get it (e.g. for 'elective' procedures such as hip replacements). The grey area is for those with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart conditions) where some kinds of health care has to be paid for. For example, in the case of physiotherapy, you get limited free physio (such as post op rehab physio) where as you have to pay for other kinds of physio.
The issue i have heard raised by local people is that the health care is not necessarily as good as that in other countries, or through private medical care (e.g. cancer drugs may be inferior/cheaper). The NZIS site has some info on what treatment is free.
I think the reality is that most treatment is free but you have to wait a long time for it (e.g. friend at work had stomach pains, was told the wait for an ultrasound was 2 years, so she went private). blood tests etc. ordered by a GP are free as is hospital based treatment and follow up outpatient care. You will pay for GP appointments, prescription, dental treatments and certain non-urgent or rehabilitative procedures/treatment (physio, varicose veins etc). The big dilemma i hear time and time again here is around ACC versus govt. funded health care. An example: If you injure your spine in an accident and are paralysed you will have ALL care paid for by ACC (collectively funded accident compensation scheme) so you don't need to sue others to get that care paid for. If you are paralysed by a spinal tumour you will have to pay for certain aspects of your care (e.g. having your house modified to enable you to live at home, albeit subject to means testing, or GP visits/medication related to that condition). however, in this example, you would have your hospital based care (radiation, chemo, surgery) paid for through the state funded health system. It is more the ongoing primary care and other related costs (e.g. personal care at home, housing adaptations, medical items/prescriptions) that you would have to pay for, again subject to means testing.

There is lots of uncertainty though Nick. I work in health and have spoken to various people working in the hospital and even some of them (lifelong kiwi residents ) still are not sure what they have to pay for!!!

Bottom line is though, secondary care (ie. specialist/hospital care) is free. Medical care for life threatening conditions is free. Follow up care in outpatients is free. Primary (GP) care is paid for (albeit still subsidized by state, and further subsidized for 'frequent attenders', elderly, children and those with CSC card on low incomes). Not sure where you would stand with chemo drugs prescribed to those who leave hospital and go home, i.e. whether you pay prescriptions costs???? I'll try and find out at work and come back to you.

[nickbraddock]

Hannah,
Thanks for your reply. I think I see what you're saying, my wifes concerns were that we could end up in a situation where her condition re-appears and she would need radiation treatment and that we would have to pay for it ourselves, but from what you are saying we would be covered if we got PR is that right?
The last thing we would need is to pay for it. She was worried that we would not get medical insurance or we would get it and they would exclude her condition (as we have found out getting holiday insurance)
Thanks again
Nick

[sarahw]

Nick - Do you have a health insurance policy currently in the UK?

I know its not the same condition but my husband has had spine surgery & the likelihood is he'll have to have it again, if not once a few times. When we moved over here he took out a policy with Bupa International (already had a policy in the UK for Bupa) - it cost about £50 a month and they took on his existing condition.

He was ready to pay that for life, for piece of mind, but his company (this is quite unusual in NZ but is starting slowly to be introduced) gives him life insurance in his renumeration package - they took on all existing conditions so he now doesn't pay anything and has cancelled the subs to Bupa.

Hannah's right anything life threatening is covered by NHS & any accidents (husband did his back in lifting something) are almost completely covered by ACC including things like physio etc.

Another thing for you to consider... survival rates in NZ vs other countries including where you're from - I believe that skin cancer and breast cancer survival rates are lower here than in Australia - I'd check that one out if I were you for thyroid cancer too as its a big decision for you to make to relocate when your wife may need treatment in the future.

There has also been a case recently where someone with a brain tumour (recurring) has not been covered for certain drugs that he has needed (quite a few drugs in NZ aren't certified for government prescriptions so aren't free) he has campaigned successfully to get the drug onto the prescription list but the govt. has limited the amount you can have - recurring sufferers who would also benefit from the drug don't have any entitlement to it - check that out too for the particular drugs your wife may have to take - if they're not on the national health it could cost you an arm and a leg (for this particular drug we're talking $6,000 per month so its not something to overlook).

Sorry to chuck another question marks in there but I would want to know about this stuff if I was making the decision.

Good luck!