Health

  • Doctors, dentists and prescriptions

    • Find a doctor

      Choose a doctor in your area and find out about enrolling.

    • Paying for doctor's visits

      Doctors set their own fees. Children and some people who need to visit their doctor often can get free or subsidised visits.

    • Seeing a specialist

      When you see a specialist, you’ll visit a medically trained and registered healthcare professional in that field of medicine. In most cases, you need to visit your General Practitioner (GP) first so they can refer you.

    • Prescription charges

      There used to be a $5 charge for standard prescriptions — this is now free. Some other prescriptions still have a prescription charge until you qualify for the prescription subsidy scheme.

    • Prescription subsidy scheme

      If you’ve paid for 20 prescriptions in a year (from 1 February), you won’t have to pay the $5 charge for any new prescriptions until 1 February the next year.

    • Dental care

      Basic dental services are free until you’re 18. If you need dental care after 18, and you’re on a low income or have a disability, illness or injury, you can apply for government help.

  • Free health services for children

  • Help in your home

    • Help with day-to-day personal care

      If you have a disability or ongoing health problems, ask for an assessment to see if you can get help with getting dressed, showering or other personal care.

    • Nursing and medical help at home

      If you have a disability, an injury or ongoing health problems, a nurse or other health professionals can visit you to help with medications and other medical needs.

    • Cooking and meals

      If you have a disability or ongoing health problems, ask for an assessment to see if you can get help with your diet, cooking, meals or shopping for food.

    • Maintaining your house and garden

      If you have ongoing health problems, an injury or a disability, you can get help with housework, buying furniture or appliances, and some essential maintenance. First check that you’re eligible.

    • Home modifications

      Improving safety in your home by installing hand rails or a ramp can help you manage more easily in your home if you have a disability or an injury.

    • Paying for heating

      If you're ill or have a disability, you can apply for help with the cost of heating your home. What you can get depends on your circumstances and also your income and assets.

    • Personal medical alarms

      You can apply for government help to pay for a monitored medical alarm service if you have an ongoing illness or disability.

    • Home support services — reporting a problem

      If you have a concern, contact your service provider. You can also contact the government agency that funds your care, or the Health and Disability Commissioner.

    • Get a needs assessment

      If you need help to stay in your home, or long-term care in a rest home or hospital, you can only get government help if you have a needs assessment first.

    • Support at home after a needs assessment

      As part of your needs assessment, a care plan is developed especially for you. Everyone supporting you uses this plan to deliver the services you need in your home.

  • Financial help and services

    • Community Services Card

      Work and Income supply the Community Services Card (CSC) on behalf of the Ministry of Health to help lower healthcare costs.

    • Financial help for people with a disability or illness

      If you have a disability or illness you might be able to get an allowance, subsidy or loan to help with your expenses. Financial assistance is available for all citizens.

    • Disability Allowance

      Disability Allowance is a weekly payment from Work and Income for people who have regular, ongoing costs because of a disability.

    • Government help with healthcare if you’re over 65

      If you get NZ Super or a Veteran’s Pension, and you have a disability or health concern, you can apply for financial help or use services provided by the government to meet your health needs.

    • Lottery grants for disabled people

      Grants funded by Lotto help to pay for equipment for disabled people who want to be more closely involved in their communities.

    • High Use Health Card

      If you visit your doctor more than 12 times in a year, talk to your doctor about the High Use Health Card to lower the cost of the visits.

  • Rest homes and residential care

    • Types of residential care

      There are 4 types of full-time residential care. Providers sometimes offer more than one type of care within the same property.

    • Who can move into residential care

      When you can no longer manage in your own home, you can move into a rest home or hospital. Your doctor, other health professionals, and your family or whānau can help you decide where to move and when.

    • Choose your residential care

      You choose the rest home or hospital that you want to move to and can afford.

    • Paying for residential care

      You’re responsible for paying for your own care. You can apply for government help if you can’t afford all or some of the cost of your care.

    • Services offered in residential care

      The services offered by residential care providers can vary. They must tell you about the services they offer and be clear about which ones you must pay extra for.

    • Moving into residential care

      When you move into residential care in a rest home or hospital, you sign a contract, and get information about your rights and responsibilities.

    • Make a complaint about residential care

      There are different steps to take depending on your complaint, but tell the manager of the rest home or hospital first — they may be able to fix the problem.

  • Caring for someone with a health condition, injury or illness
  • Help with mental health and addiction
  • Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for personal care and welfare

  • Public health services

  • Food safety

  • Working after 65 — ACC levies and entitlements