How health insurance can help you navigate New Zealand’s healthcare challenges

Read on if you’re wondering what’s driving this shift and how health insurance can help protect you and your loved ones. 

Reduce wait times for treatment

One of the biggest advantages of health insurance is the ability to avoid the lengthy waiting lists in the public system. According to Health NZ, nearly 77,755 patients had to wait longer than four months for their initial specialist appointment. Shockingly, over 44% of these patients faced waits of more than four months for treatment, with some delays extending beyond a year.

Prolonged wait times can have serious consequences, as health conditions may deteriorate while patients wait for care. With health insurance, however, you can access specialists and treatments much faster, reducing the risks associated with delayed medical attention.

Access to medications and advanced treatments

Another key benefit of health insurance is access to treatments and medications not covered by the public system. Some advanced treatments, such as certain cancer treatments and non-PHARMAC medications, can be very expensive without private insurance.

Insurers have reported a significant increase in claims for these life-saving treatments. In fact, AIA alone paid out $244.1 million in cancer treatment claims in 2023, showing the growing reliance on private health insurance to cover critical care that the public system often cannot provide.

Cover for overseas medical treatment

As dissatisfaction with New Zealand’s healthcare system grows, more people are seeking treatment overseas. Research from Otago University highlights the rise in medical tourism, with patients going abroad due to long wait times or unavailability of necessary treatments locally. In some cases, patients have had to travel overseas for treatments not funded by PHARMAC, which can be a significant financial burden.

Many health insurance policies help cover the costs of overseas medical care, offering financial relief when local treatment options fall short.

What can you do if you’re concerned?  

If you’re worried about relying solely on public healthcare, exploring health insurance options may offer peace of mind. At Enva Financial, we work with a variety of health insurance providers, so we can find an option to suit your budget and needs.

One of the greatest advantages of health insurance is the security it offers. Knowing that you can access timely treatment and advanced care without the stress of long wait times or hefty out-of-pocket costs can make a world of difference.

Interested in learning more? Contact us at Enva Financial today to discuss your options and find the right cover for you.