In New Zealand, we're fortunate to have a public health system that caters to the medical needs of all residents. However, even with this support, there are compelling reasons to consider private health insurance as an additional layer of protection. Various studies and reports underscore the benefits of private health insurance. According to the Financial Services Council (FSC), over 1.4 million or just under a third of people currently have health insurance in New Zealand, and quite surprisingly, one third of those who have taken out cover are under the age of 30. This indicates how health is being prioritised amongst the younger generations more than ever. Let's delve into why health insurance is an investment worth considering.
Most common motivations for Having Health Cover in NZ:
Financial protection: Private health insurance provides financial protection by covering the costs of medical treatments not included in the public system, such as critical cancer treatments.
Access to medicines: Private health insurance provides access to medicines not on the PHARMAC schedule. This ensures peace of mind, knowing you will be receiving the best treatment available instead of the only treatment available.
A wider range of specialists and hospitals: Private health insurance offers the flexibility to choose your specialist and hospital without being restricted by your location or availability. This is particularly beneficial if you have specific medical needs requiring specialist care. Competition is high for this kind of treatment in the public sector which means depending on where you are triaged, lengthy wait times could be faced. Additionally, private health insurance may provide access to advanced treatments not available in the public system.
Skipping the queues: The public healthcare system can provide excellent care… when you finally get access to it. Due to an oversubscribed system, there can be lengthy wait times for non-emergency treatments. With private health insurance, you can skip these queues and access doctors and hospitals in the private healthcare system, ensuring you receive necessary care without delays.
Better access to non-emergency treatments: Non-emergency treatments in the public healthcare system may involve prolonged waiting periods. Private health insurance allows you to access these treatments sooner, potentially preventing the worsening of your condition and facilitating quicker recovery.
While New Zealand's public healthcare system offers essential medical care, private health insurance provides additional benefits. With private health insurance, you can access private healthcare promptly, choose your specialist and hospital, protect against unexpected medical expenses, access non-emergency treatments sooner, and resume your normal activities faster.
If you're considering private health insurance, it's crucial to research and select a plan tailored to your needs. There are many policies and plans on the market and researching all of them may seem like a daunting task. Luckily, here at Naked Finance, we have advisers who have already done the hard work for you. Our team keeps a finger on the pulse of the market ensuring they can guide you in the right direction for your needs. Reach out to learn more and ensure you and your loved ones are adequately covered for the future.
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