With the cost of health care continuing to rise and increasing pressure on the public health system, more and more New Zealanders are taking out health insurance – ensuring they and their families are protected from the impact of major illness and disability.

Figures for 2008 show that around 1.4 million people in New Zealand had health insurance – an increase of more than 13,000 from the previous year.

Meanwhile, during the 12 months to September 2008, the health insurance industry paid a total of more than $676 million in claims. That’s an increase of more than $76 million or 12.6% over the previous year. The majority of the claims costs related to surgical procedures, with more elective procedures being funded privately rather than undertaken in the public health system than ever before.

The costs of medical treatment have risen steadily as medical procedures become more sophisticated because of technological advancements and medical breakthroughs. These costs are ultimately borne by insurers and patients.

While this increase in costs fuels the rise in insurance premiums, it also highlights the importance of having health cover in place. It is now harder than ever to ‘self-insure’ and to pay for these treatments yourself.

Without health insurance, would you be able to cover the cost of treatments such as these?

If affordability is an issue, speak to me today about how I can help manage the cost of your premiums.
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For further information, please contact:
Oliver Pereira – OPM Insurance Services Ltd.
Ph. 0800 66 77 92    Faxmail. 021 551 669   Mobile. 021 66 77 92
Email. oliver.pereira@xtra.co.nz


1.    Health Funds Association of New Zealand report, September 2008
2.    HFANZ press release, October 2008
3.    Sovereign research, 2008