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Surgical waiting periods — NZ health insurance

A surgical waiting period is the minimum time you must hold the policy before the insurer will fund a non-acute (planned) surgery. Acute / accident-related surgery is usually covered immediately (and ACC pays for accident-caused costs regardless of your insurer).

Ranked shortest → longest

Product Insurer Surgical Source
SmartCare Accuro No waiting period Current · PDF ↗
SmartStay Accuro No waiting period Current · PDF ↗
UltraCare Southern Cross No waiting period Current · PDF ↗
KidSmart Accuro 1 year Current · PDF ↗
KiwiCare Southern Cross 3 years Current · PDF ↗
18 products where this waiting period is not on file

Other waiting-period types