1 Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Health Insurance Brand, 2017-2026.
2 See our Member Discounts & Offers page for details.
If you’re interested in getting Southern Cross health insurance, get in touch to take the next step.
In New Zealand, private health insurance is intended to supplement the public health system. It can help eligible people access treatment sooner and cover services that may not be fully funded through the public system.
Because private health insurance is designed to work alongside the public system, private health insurance is generally only available to people who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.
New Zealand’s public healthcare system provides high-quality healthcare to people who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, often at low cost or free of charge.
If you need emergency medical help or acute care, it will be provided through the public healthcare system. Whether this care is publicly funded depends on your eligibility.
Accidents and injuries are covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), a government agency which acts as a no-fault personal injury insurer.
Non-emergency health conditions are classified as ‘elective’ treatments. This means you’ll go through an assessment process to find out if you qualify for treatment, and in most cases, you’ll go on a waiting list to receive treatment. This is why some New Zealanders choose to get private health insurance.
Common elective treatments include hip or knee replacements, heart surgery, hysterectomy, cataract removal, cancerous tumour removal and diagnostic services such as endoscopy, laparoscopy, MRI scans, tonsillectomy, and grommets surgery.
Private healthcare complements the New Zealand public healthcare system. For people who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, private health insurance can help provide faster access to treatment by avoiding public wait lists and providing help with the cost of treatment.
This can mean getting back to enjoying life sooner, with less time off work, study, or travel disruption. Private health insurance can also reduce financial uncertainty and give you more choice over when and where you receive treatment, including access to private specialists and hospitals.
There are several private health insurance providers in New Zealand offering a range of plans. These may cover every day healthcare costs, such as GP visits and prescriptions, through to more significant medical expenses, including specialist consultations and surgical treatment.
Eligibility for publicly funded healthcare depends on your visa, residency, or citizenship status. Check out the Government’s Health New Zealand website for information on your unique situation.
If you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, talk to us about how private health insurance may support your healthcare needs in New Zealand.
Southern Cross Health Insurance plans are only available to:
If you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, private health insurance is generally not available. Southern Cross Travel Insurance can provide medical cover for visitors to New Zealand, including international students.
Some visas require you to hold insurance as a condition of your visa.
Travel insurance cover for visitors to New Zealand
Travel insurance cover for international students
We’re New Zealand’s largest and most trusted health insurance provider1, committed to helping nearly 950,000 New Zealanders to access the healthcare they need.
Southern Cross Health Insurance has cared for the health of New Zealanders since 1961. As a member focused health insurer, we put your health and wellbeing first.
We’re with you.
Avoid public wait lists
Easy to claim
Access to member discounts & offers[2]
Manage your policy online
Our team are happy to help:
Monday to Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm
Southern Cross Medical Care Society (trading as Southern Cross Health Society) is a licensed insurer and a licensed financial advice provider. For more information about the financial advice service we provide and a copy of our public disclosure statement please visit southerncross.co.nz/disclosure-statement.
Southern Cross Medical Care Society (trading as Southern Cross Health Society) has an A+ (Strong) financial strength rating given by S&P Global Ratings Australia Pty Ltd. The rating scale is: AAA (Extremely Strong), AA (Very Strong), A (Strong), BBB (Good), BB (Marginal), B (Weak), CCC (Very Weak), CC (Extremely Weak), SD or D (Selective Default or Default). Ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. Full details of the rating scale are available at S&P Global Ratings. S&P Global Ratings Australia Pty Ltd is an approved rating agency under the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010.
