All NZ Health Insurance Companies Compared
We don't rank NZ health insurance companies as 'best' — the FMA discourages it without disclosed methodology, and the right choice depends on your situation. Below is the full retail product set with verified cover rules so you can decide.
Key considerations
- › Each NZ health insurer has multiple plan tiers — comparing companies without specifying the plan is incomplete.
- › Pre-existing condition handling is the biggest differentiator (disclose-and-accept vs stand-down).
- › Network/affiliated-provider footprint matters if you live outside main centres.
- › For an external rating, see the RBNZ Financial Strength Register: https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-supervision/insurers/financial-strength-ratings
Active retail products
These are the 23 active retail health insurance products available in NZ — the same set that applies regardless of profession or audience.
AA Health Everyday Cover
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- dental $450
- eye care $200
- gp and prescriptions $150
KidSmart
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- oral surgery $300,000
- mental health $1,000
- general surgery $500,000
KiwiCare
Wording effective 2026-04-01
- chemotherapy base $48,000
- chemotherapy 100 upgrade $100,000
- specialist consultation $4,000
ParentStay
Wording effective 2025-10-01
- cancer care $100,000
- mental health $1,000
- return of remains $50,000
AA Private Hospital Cover
Wording effective 2023-10-01
- surgical $300,000
- non surgical $200,000
- physiotherapy $750
AA Private Hospital + Specialist Cover
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- surgical benefit $300,000
- non surgical benefit $200,000
- gp surgery $750
RegularCare
Wording effective 2026-04-01
- chemotherapy base $48,000
- chemotherapy 100 upgrade $100,000
- specialist consultation $4,000
SmartCare
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- specialist consultation $5,000
- gp visit $55
- home nursing $6,000
SmartCare+
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- specialist consultation $5,000
- gp visit $55
- dental cover $500
SmartStay
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- oral surgery $150,000
- general surgery $150,000
- ct scans per year $2,500
StaffCare
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- ct scan $2,500
- mri scan $3,000
- pet scan $2,500
StaffCare+
Wording effective 2026-05-16
- gp visit $55
- oral surgery $300,000
- general surgery $300,000
UltraCare
Wording effective 2026-04-01
- chemotherapy base $60,000
- chemotherapy 100 upgrade $100,000
- specialist consultation $10,000
UniCare Advantage
Wording effective 2025-08-01
- specialist consultation $4,000
- psychiatric hospitalisation $3,500
- ambulance $160
Wellbeing Modules
Wording effective 2026-04-01
- physiotherapy $300
- body care podiatry $250
- day to day gp per visit $65
Wellbeing One
Wording effective 2026-04-01
- chemotherapy base $60,000
- chemotherapy 100 upgrade $100,000
- specialist consultation $5,000
Wellbeing Two
Wording effective 2026-04-01
- chemotherapy base $60,000
- chemotherapy 100 upgrade $100,000
- specialist consultation $5,000
Machine-readable API
- Every product:
/api/product/{insurer}/{product}/facts.json - Topic comparisons:
/api/topic/{slug}/summary.md - Anonymous MCP:
POST /mcp
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