While private health insurance is available in New Zealand, all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are guaranteed access to healthcare at reduced or no cost. Our accident compensation system covers the full cost of treating injuries caused by accidents and also provides an income while a person is recuperating. Because it is a ‘no fault’ system, it prohibits lawsuits for injuries, and this also means that insurances like car insurance are also less expensive than in the US.
The national healthcare system provides treatment for non-accident-related illnesses. Much of the care provided under the national health system is free of charge, but some services such as doctors’ visits and pharmaceuticals do have fees associated with them for some people. Generally, you will find such fees greatly reduced from what one would expect to pay in the US. For example, the maximum co-payment to fill a prescription for any government-subsidised medicine is NZ$15 and for many people the cost is even less.
Because this system is funded through taxation and, in the case of our accident compensation system, through employer and employee levies, you will find that most employers do not provide separate medical insurance for their employees.
Our health section will give you further information.