How to Save Money on your Health
Doctors VisitsDoctors visits in New Zealand can be made cheaper by ensuring that you are registered with your doctor's practice. This will help you get a subsidy from the government for your health treatment if you are a NZ citizen, resident or have lived in New Zealand for over 2 years.
It takes time for this subsidy to come through (up to 3 months) so make sure you register with a doctors practice as soon as you move to a new area even if you're not ill.
See your registered doctor if you can Make sure you try to see your own doctor where you are registered as if you go elsewhere you may not receive the subsidy offered to your own doctor. This could work out a much more expensive visit as most consultations with your own doctor are now subsidised.
They will also have all your past medical history which another doctor won't have.
Cheaper Prescriptions
Registering with your GP also reduces the cost of prescriptions from the $15 previously.
You can get subsidised prescriptions for contraception but only certain oral contraceptives are subsidised.
Always ask if the medicine you are getting is subsidised otherwise it could work out quite expensive.