[Juniper]

http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=364436

[Crunchmonkey]

Thanks for the info Juniper
My wife and I pay over $400.00 a month just in medical insurance and that's with a $5000.00 deductible , we can't afford to get sick. I wonder what the normal payments are for NZ health insurance ? We got some problems over here in the US...Dang it.
Paul

[wanderingoregonian]

I second that - there are major problems with insurance in the US. I'm filling out forms to buy some insurance to cover us between quitting my job in 2 weeks and arriving in NZ in a few months. I have to list every major illness, start and end dates, doctor's names, and whether the issue is resolved or not - for 5 YEARS! I may be young, but my memory isn't that good

Yet another backhanded way to reward me for not going to the doctor, I'm half glad I didn't go all those other times I was sick, not that it is easy to do so with the long waits to get appointments, the insurance snaffus that arise ever few trips to the doctor, etc.

[jess]

My OH went to the dr here in NZ to get a pescription for medicine he was taking in the states, and they were worried about the high price he was going to have to pay. Turns out it's cheaper here without ins. than it was in the US with ins.!

[Juniper]

Does anyone have a link explaining how the NZ health care system works, as far as costs? My impression was that you only pay a small fee for each visit, and the rest is paid through income tax. How do surgery/medicines work? I think they must be nearly free. Hence them not wanting to let really sick people get PR :-P

[Oregonkiwi]

I wonder what the normal payments are for NZ health insurance ?

The beauty of NZ is that - assuming you're eligible for public health - you don't NEED insurance. (Although if you do want private insurance, google State or Southern Cross.) And I am soooo happy to be leaving the US healthcare system behind. Those horrendous premiums and deductibles....insurance companies who always find a reason not to pay (why does everything always exceed usual and customary charges?)...not knowing what a visit to the doctor will cost until after you get the bill...and the worry of getting sick and not being able to afford it.
WanderingOregonian, what company are you using for your tempoarary insurance? We will have 7 weeks between losing coverage and flying to NZ, so I've been looking into temporary coverage too.

[Oregonkiwi]

Juniper - try the Ministry of Health site
http://www.moh.govt.nz/healthsystem

The cost of doctor visits varies, usually around $50 I think. If you get referred to a specialist or need surgery it's free (at public hospitals). You pay for prescriptions but most are subsidized. Accidents are covered by Accident Compensation.

[Juniper]

Thanks Oregonkiwi, that looks like a handy reference :-D