Get the treatment you need, when you need it
Recently I came across an article in the New Zealand Herald which I found quite disconcerting, the article heading was as follows:
“Only come if it’s an emergency, says Auckland Hospital swamped with unprecedented demand”.
The adult Hospital was experiencing occupancy levels in the high 90 percent.
Doctors in the district and around the country have seen a significant increase in consultations for flu-like illness in the recent past.
Although 20,000 people took out health insurance in the last year (the biggest increase for many years), only 30 percent of New Zealanders (1.36 million) have health cover – low by international standards and almost half that of Australia (where 56 percent have cover).
Meanwhile, waiting lists and waiting times for public surgeries/treatments are increasing. Last year, the Health Funds Association of NZ said 110,000 people were on a waiting list while a further 170,000 had not even made it to a waiting list in spite of being told they needed elective surgery. Wait times were up to an average of 304 days (80 days longer than in 2013).
Part of the problem is possibly New Zealanders' historical attitude to health care, with many still believing the government would and should look after citizens.
New Zealand’s ageing population is also more likely to require medical intervention as age-related health conditions arise. People’s expectations of health care have also increased and added to demand, heightened by publicity associated with advances in medical technology.
Nobody likes the idea that they will experience a health problem, but the reality is that, at some time, many of us will. And without health cover, you could find yourself facing costly medical bills.
Private health insurance can help you cope with these unexpected costs.
It provides access to treatment when you need it and will help you avoid public health service waiting lists. During the time you are on a waiting list, your condition could get worse, you could experience prolonged periods of pain and discomfort, your family may also worry and share your emotional stress and you may not be able to participate in the daily activities that you currently enjoy.
Private health insurance can be complicated. There are quite a number of factors to consider to ensure you get good value for money. These include selecting the benefits and options that you need, deciding on an appropriate excess level and making sure members of your family also have the cover appropriate to their needs. A Registered Financial Adviser can offer you specialised help and advice and can work with you to tailor a suitable health cover to best suit the needs of you and your family.
Recently I came across an article in the New Zealand Herald which I found quite disconcerting, the article heading was as follows:
“Only come if it’s an emergency, says Auckland Hospital swamped with unprecedented demand”.
The adult Hospital was experiencing occupancy levels in the high 90 percent.
Recently I came across an article in the New Zealand Herald which I found quite disconcerting, the article heading was as follows:
“Only come if it’s an emergency, says Auckland Hospital swamped with unprecedented demand”.
The adult Hospital was experiencing occupancy levels in the high 90 percent.
Doctors in the district and around the country have seen a significant increase in consultations for flu-like illness in the recent past.
Although 20,000 people took out health insurance in the last year (the biggest increase for many years), only 30 percent of New Zealanders (1.36 million) have health cover – low by international standards and almost half that of Australia (where 56 percent have cover).
Meanwhile, waiting lists and waiting times for public surgeries/treatments are increasing. Last year, the Health Funds Association of NZ said 110,000 people were on a waiting list while a further 170,000 had not even made it to a waiting list in spite of being told they needed elective surgery. Wait times were up to an average of 304 days (80 days longer than in 2013).
Part of the problem is possibly New Zealanders' historical attitude to health care, with many still believing the government would and should look after citizens.
New Zealand’s ageing population is also more likely to require medical intervention as age-related health conditions arise. People’s expectations of health care have also increased and added to demand, heightened by publicity associated with advances in medical technology.
Nobody likes the idea that they will experience a health problem, but the reality is that, at some time, many of us will. And without health cover, you could find yourself facing costly medical bills.
Private health insurance can help you cope with these unexpected costs.
It provides access to treatment when you need it and will help you avoid public health service waiting lists. During the time you are on a waiting list, your condition could get worse, you could experience prolonged periods of pain and discomfort, your family may also worry and share your emotional stress and you may not be able to participate in the daily activities that you currently enjoy.
Private health insurance can be complicated. There are quite a number of factors to consider to ensure you get good value for money. These include selecting the benefits and options that you need, deciding on an appropriate excess level and making sure members of your family also have the cover appropriate to their needs. A Registered Financial Adviser can offer you specialised help and advice and can work with you to tailor a suitable health cover to best suit the needs of you and your family.
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