Paying for visits to doctors
Ask your doctors’ practice or medical centre how much they charge for doctor visits. Children, and some people who need to visit their doctor often, can get free or cheaper visits.
Services for children
Many services for children under 14 are free.
Free health services for children
If you visit the doctor often
High Use Health Card
If you visit your doctor more than 12 times a year, your doctor can apply to the Ministry of Health for a High Use Health Card (HUHC) for you.
This may reduce the cost of your future visits.
Community Services Card
A Community Services Card can help you and your family with cheaper healthcare costs.
You may pay less for some health services by simply showing your card.
Community Services Card — Work and Income
Doctor fees
Doctors’ practices and medical centres are privately owned and set their fees within a range agreed to by:
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
- primary health organisations.
Check the fees of doctors near you
Ask the doctors’ practice, often called general practitioners (GPs), or medical centre how much they charge for visits.
Lower fee if you enrol
Your fee will be lower if you sign up (enrol) with a practice, GP or centre. Otherwise, you’ll likely pay a casual rate that’s higher than the enrolled fee.
Enrolled fees are lower because the government pays part of the cost.
Visiting a doctor — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Very Low Cost Access practices, GPs and centres
Check with the doctors’ practice, GP or medical centre in your area. They might be part of Very Low Cost Access and charge lower doctor fees.
Services to improve access — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
More information: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
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Health New Zealand
Contact and agency details -
Ministry of Health
Contact and agency details -
Senior Services
Contact and agency details