Costs of healthcare
It can be confusing understanding what you do and do not have to pay for in the New Zealand public health system. Use this chart as a quick reference.
| Healthcare service | Cost |
| Hospital treatment including 24-hour accident and emergency (A&E) clinics. | Free |
| Children's immunisations | Free |
| Prescription medicine for children under six. | Usually free |
| People with a prescription subsidy card and a high use health card or community services card. | Usually subsidised. Cost varies, depending on the prescription |
| Prescription medicines for all public hospital patients. | Free |
| Most laboratory tests and x-rays | Free but you will need to pay for these at privately operated clinics |
| GP referrals to a public hospital for treatment. | Free |
| Healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. This covers everything from the diagnosis of pregnancy to pre- and post-natal care for mother and baby. Includes hospital stays. | Free |
| Check-ups and basic dental treatment for schoolchildren. | Free |
| Breast-screening for women aged 50 to 64. | Free |
| Acute or chronic medical conditions | Usually free but in some circumstances a financial contribution may be needed |
| Prescription items | Yes, if approved. If your GP prescribes medicines for you, you will pay $3 per item provided you have joined a PHO. Otherwise, you will pay more. If the prescription is for a non–subsidised or partly subsidised medicine, you will pay more for it, sometimes. at full cost. |
| Visits to general practitioners | Costs of GP visits vary as they are private businesses and have the right to set and charge fees. Visits at weekends or nights cost more than between 8.00 am and 6 pm. If, however, you join a PHO (Primary Health Organisation – these are government funded and free to join) a visit to your GP will cost less. Nearly all New Zealanders have now joined PHOs. Many GPs waive the fee entirely for children under six. |
| Visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths when referred by a GP | Free if approved by ACC, although you may be asked to pay a part charge. |
| Ambulance services | Ambulance services may cost $74 - $61 depending on your location |
