Private vs Public Healthcare NZ
NZ has a universal public healthcare system (Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ) — free at point of use for residents. Private health insurance pays for elective treatment, faster access to specialists, choice of provider, and non-Pharmac drug cover. The two systems work together: emergency / acute / GP visits are public; planned surgery is where private cover adds the most value. Below is the active retail set.
Key considerations
- › Acute / emergency treatment goes through the public system — health insurance doesn't cover ED visits.
- › Most NZ insurers exclude treatment at public hospitals (Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora) — coverage is for private hospitals only.
- › Public-system wait lists for elective surgery can be 12+ months; private health insurance buys faster access.
- › Non-Pharmac drugs (Keytruda etc.) are not publicly funded — health insurance fills that gap (or not, see Pharmac topic).
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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