Healthcare costs - assistance available

Health care costs can cause great hardship for a family.

As a consequence families sometimes put off essential health care. It is important therefore to know the range of assistance available for low income families and families which make high use of health services.

To qualify for assistance, you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Visitors and those on work or study permits usually can not receive state help. If you are a refugee or have applied for refugee status, you may be able get some help with costs.
 

Free health care

For children

  • immunisation
  • many prescriptions for children under six years
  • dental care until they turn 18
  • treatment in a public hospital
  • GP visits for children under six years, depending on whether your GP charges or not
  • regular Well Child - Tamariki Ora health checks.

For adults

  • most maternity services
  • treatment in a public hospital
  • flu vaccines for those over 65 and some others with chronic illnesses.

Overseas visitors or students without permanent residency are not eligible for some publicly funded health services.
 

Community Services Card (CSC)

The CSC helps with doctor visits and prescriptions. For example:

  • an adult gets a $15 discount on visits to the GP
  • children six years and over get a $20 discount on visits to the doctor
  • you pay a maximum of $3 for a prescription, more if there is a 'manufacturer's surcharge' for a particular drug or treatment.

The card is available to both beneficiaries and those with a low or middle income. If you are a student or get New Zealand Superannuation, you do not automatically get a CSC, but you can apply for one if you have a low income. Take the card when you visit your GP or collect a prescription.

Current rates for income limits (as 1 April 2009)
type of household gross annual cut-out point*
single, sharing accommodation - $23,122
single, living alone - $24,514
married or civil union, or in a de facto relationship -  $36,618
two person family - 1 adult, 1 child - $44,211
three person family - $53,539
four person family - $60,959
five person family - $68,225
six person family - $76,346

*For families of seven or more, the cut-out point increases by $7,154 for each additional family member.

Income includes wages, benefits, profit on any business, interest, dividends, income from rents, any income from overseas, Family Support, Guaranteed Minimum Family Income (GMFI), Child Support or maintenance payments and free regular services such as living rent free.
 

Applying for the Community Services Card

If you get a main benefit from Work and Income you should get a card automatically. If you are on a low income, you will need to apply to Work and Income -- you can get a form from them or call the Community Services Centre on 0800 999 999.

If you receive Family Tax Credit, you may be sent an application form.
 

High Use Health Card

The High Use Health Card is available to those who do not qualify for the Community Services Card. They need to frequently go to their GP for an on-going medical condition, usually more than 12 times in the last 12 months for the same condition. ACC paid treatments or therapies are not counted. There are no income limits.

With the card you:

  • pay the same amount at the doctor as someone with a Community Services Card
  • pay a maximum of $3 per prescription (more if there is a manufacturer's surcharge to pay).

To apply, talk to your doctor. They will need to apply on your behalf.
 

Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card

This is available to families who have purchased 20 subsidised prescriptions in a year - the year starts 1 February. It does not cover children under six years.
With the card, prescriptions:

  • cost $2 per item for the rest of the year (up to 31 January)
  • are free if you also have a Community Services Card.

You will still have to pay any manufacturer's charge over and above the government subsidy.

To get a prescription subsidy card, apply to your pharmacist. It is important you keep receipts for prescriptions you buy as you will have to prove how many prescriptions you have bought during the year.
 

Work and Income

If you have a serious on-going illness or disability, you may be entitled to help from Work and Income.

  • Disability allowance - help with on-going direct medical or disability costs.
  • Child disability allowance - paid to the child's caregiver to help with extra direct costs.
  • Special Needs Grant - a one-off payment towards a medical emergency. You may have to pay it back.
  • Advance payment of benefit - Only available to those on a main benefit. It can be used for dental care, glasses and hearing aids.
  • Special benefit - an extra weekly 'top-up' if your income or benefit doesn't meet all your disability or medical related costs. Strict criteria apply.
  • If you have to stop work due to illness or disability, or because you have to care full-time for a sick or disabled child or partner, you may be entitled to a main income benefit from Work and Income. You can also get help with extra childcare costs because of illness in the family. Apply to a Work and Income service centre or ring 0800 559 009.


Where to go for information and help

For information
Contact:

Or check the front of your phone book under Personal Help Services.

For help
Voluntary groups, disability organisations or other social services may be able to offer free or subsidised services for those with a disability, such as --

  • respite care to give a full-time caregiver a break
  • specialist equipment, aids or supplies e.g. help with wheelchairs, hearing aids
  • help with transport or vehicle modifications
  • help with home alterations such as ramps, rails or grab handles
  • help with personal care and housework.
     

Further Links