‘Why do I need a private health insurance when public health is available freely to everyone?’
‘Private health insurances are so expensive, and I don’t think I need one as New Zealand has a great public health system.’
‘If I were to buy a private health insurance, why am I paying taxes then? I pay tax so I could use the public health system.
If you think the same and agree with the above statements, then you are in the right place! Read this blog to find answers to the above questions and learn five reasons why a comprehensive private insurance is a must to a happy healthy life …
1. Immediate access to diagnostic procedures and treatments
You might not know but it’s not easy to get a referral to a
diagnostic test, such as MRI scanning, or a specialist consultation, or surgery
without a private health insurance. According to the Ministry of Health guidelines,
not all referrals to a specialist by GPs are accepted, and if they do and you
go on a waiting list, it takes up to 4 months to see a specialist and even
longer to get an appointment for a diagnostic test and surgery.
“My GP referred me to a dermatologist for a skin problem
I have. After waiting for 2 weeks, I got a letter from my DHB stating that my
referral had been rejected, as my case wasn’t life-threatening. So, I have two
options now; to suffer my skin problem in silence or self-pay and see a
specialist. I so regret not having a health insurance.” – Robert
With a private health insurance, however, any referrals from
a GP to a specialist is accepted and an appointment can easily be booked at a
private clinic in a couple of days from the date of the referral.
2. Greater choice of
specialists, clinics and medicines
If your referral to a specialist is accepted through the
public health system, you do not get to choose which doctor, which clinic and
when you want to be seen. With public health system, you don’t have access to
unfunded potentially life-saving treatment and drugs either, which is the case
of Tegan
Hollier, a 26-year-old with stage four bowel cancer.
However, with a private health insurance, you can choose
your doctor and clinic, and make an appointment for when it suits you. You also
have the option to get second or third opinions from different specialists.
Overseas treatments and surgery as well as unfunded drugs are available too,
regardless of if they are offered in NZ or not.
“I was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer last
year. Although, the surgery and the treatment were offered in NZ, I preferred
to be treated overseas. Thanks to my health insurance, it was easy to choose
the country I wanted to have the surgery in, choose the doctor I wanted, and
all medical costs were covered for me, and more importantly, this all took
place in the fastest time possible. I know I would have had a very small survival
chance if I had to go through the process of public health system.” –
Natasha
3. Access to early
preventive care
Preventive care through the public health system is selective
and not freely available unless you reach a certain age. This was why Rob
King, father of three, wasn’t referred to a colonoscopy despite experiencing
extreme abdominal cramps. Rob was diagnosed with a bowel cancer stage 2 later.
Whereas with a private health insurance, you are covered for
elective screening, such as breast screening, prostate screening, heart
screening as well as mole mapping, allergy testing, vaccinations, gym
memberships, weight loss management programmes, smoking cessation programmes
and routine health checks.
4. Access to cutting
edge treatments
As well as anything else in the current fast-paced world, medical
devices, treatments, as well as diagnostic tests are advancing rapidly, but none
of this latest technology is available through the public health system.
Yet, a private health insurance can give you access to all
the latest health technology at an affordable cost.
“At the age of 38, I was referred to breast screening
after my GP felt a lump in my breast. I had heard from everyone how painful
breast screening could be due to the pressure the screening machine puts on
your breasts. Mine was easy, pain free and gave the most accurate results
thanks to the latest technology that was available at the private clinic I had
been referred to.” – Amanda
5. Less time off work,
less lost income
Through public health, it can sometimes take months before
you receive the required treatment to good health. Poor health means time off
work and lost income.
However, with a private health insurance, you receive
immediate treatment with all costs covered. This means much less time off work
and much less lost income.
If any of the above got you thinking,
it is then time to act and be prepared for rainy days …
Get in touch with us for a free information session where we will listen to your needs and offer the best solutions and policies.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! We never know when we will get sick … act soon and make the list of your pre-existing conditions as short as possible!
