[jaBanks]

My husband and I are arriving in NZ January 17. I am on a WHV so no health care benefits from the government.
We're in our mid-twenties and not quite ready to have kids yet, so the question is about birth control prices and how to go about getting a perscription. I've looked online and haven't had much luck findong any answers.

If I buy a 12 month supply of the pill I'm on here it's going to cost me about US$350. I'm tryig to figure out what the cost would be to visit a doctor and get a perscription for 12 months in NZ. Would it be more cost effective to buy here in the US or visit a doctor when I get to NZ? Also, if I wait until we get to NZ will I have to have a full exam or would a doctor be willing to write a perscription based on my US doctor's recommendation?

Any suggestions or answers would be much appreciated!!

[Rose]

I can't help you on the price but I think most NZ docs would give you an exam before prescribing you the pill. Maybe if you brought along your medical records showing a recent clear scan etc they would waive this....

Good luck!
Rose

[Diny]

Sorry I can't help with your question, but welcome to the forum.

Diny

[khhill]

You may want to check with New Zealand Family Planning Association: www.fpanz.org.nz. They should be a lot cheaper than most doctors and also have offices across the country if you'll be travelling at all.

Also, I brought over results from my last pap and they didn't require a new one to write the prescription. In NZ, they recommend paps every three years, so as long as your last results were within that timeframe, FPA shouldn't require another (which also means you just need to pay the $20 nurse fee instead of the higher doctor fee).

Not sure on the prescription prices without PR, but I'm sure someone that does know will come along.

[Tanya]

Our Doctor is $50.00 for the consultation and the pill that I was on when I arrived wasn't government funded so 6 month supply set me back $33. I have since changed to a similar one which is funded and its only $3 for a 6 month pack!! Much better!!

Now I have been on it a while, The Doctor allows me to only see her every year and i can phone up the surgery in between and get them to get her to write a prescription - its still costs but only $20.00 so it works out a lot cheaper

http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/interactive/index.asp

this link will show you the price if you put in the name- watch the dosage - its usually 3 months on the site and with non subsidies you have to double it. Click the name and then put in 184 as the 6 month dosage - calculate and Voila - the cost!!


Hope it helps

Tanya

[jaBanks]

Thanks ladies! I'll look into these links.....$33 for a 6 month supply is certainly better than what it would cost me here...even if I have to have a full exam!