How coverage works here: New Zealand.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · India · Philippines.

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How coverage works here: New Zealand

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/how-coverage-works-here

This sheet explains how health care gets paid for, in general and where you live. It is general information, not medical advice or advice on choosing a plan.

Four ways care gets paid for

A public system, paid for through taxes.
Public programs for particular groups.
Insurance, through work or bought yourself.
Paying yourself at the point of care.

The words

Premium: what you pay to be covered.
Deductible or excess: what you pay before cover starts.
Co-payment or coinsurance: your share of each visit or prescription.
Out-of-pocket cost: anything you pay yourself.

Before you get care, ask

Is this covered, and is anything not?
Do I need a referral or a particular provider?
What will I pay, and does anything need approval first?

Stay safe

If it might be an emergency, call the emergency number first.
Real programs don’t cold-call to sell cover or ask for your details.
Check anything you’re unsure about on the official sites below.

In New Zealand

Who is eligible. New Zealand citizens and people with a residence class visa are eligible for all publicly funded health services. Some others are eligible too, such as people on a work visa that lets them stay for two years or more, and Australian citizens or permanent residents who live in New Zealand for two years or more. You may be asked to show proof, such as a passport.
Changes from 1 December 2026. New eligibility rules, the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) (Eligibility) Regulations 2026, take effect on 1 December 2026. Most people’s eligibility does not change; one change is that publicly funded measles and polio immunisations become available to everyone in New Zealand, whatever their visa status.
GP visits usually have a fee. General practices are private businesses and set their own fees. It is free to enrol with a practice if you are eligible, and enrolled patients pay a lower, government-subsidised fee; people who are not enrolled usually pay a higher “casual” rate. Children aged 13 and under are eligible for free general practice visits, but not every practice offers them, so check first.
Hospital and specialist care. Specialist care is free through the public health system, though you may go on a waiting list. Being eligible does not mean every service is automatically free: some publicly funded services need a co-payment.
Accidents and injuries. ACC can cover treatment for accidents and personal injuries regardless of residential status. Your healthcare provider decides whether a claim should be made, and ACC must accept the claim before it funds treatment.
If you are not eligible. Some services are available whatever your status, such as scheduled immunisations and Well Child | Tamariki Ora services for children, and treatment for certain infectious diseases. Otherwise you may have to pay; the government strongly recommends that people who are not eligible hold comprehensive travel and health insurance.

Official places to check:

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: www.healthnz.govt.nz/hospitals-services/eligibility-subsidies/publicly-funded-healthcare
Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora: www.health.govt.nz/regulation-legislation/eligibility-for-publicly-funded-health-services
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: www.healthnz.govt.nz/hospitals-services/services-support/general-practices

More free official help in New Zealand: moraph.org/commons/help/health-access/nz

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/how-coverage-works-here