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Hospitals in New Zealand offer expats and visitors excellent medical care with clean facilities and new technology. Expats are more likely to find hospitals in urban areas of New Zealand, with rural areas having less access to healthcare facilities.
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Are you moving to New Zealand soon or planning a short trip? As part of your preparation, you’ll want to know where all the best hospitals are for expats. In this article, we will share a helpful guide for foreigners looking for medical care in New Zealand.
We will discuss the top hospitals in New Zealand and share a helpful overview of the New Zealand healthcare system. We will also share the top health insurance providers for New Zealand if you are interested in purchasing private health insurance for your time abroad.
Want to know more about securing private health insurance for New Zealand? Reach out to our insurance experts or begin comparing plans with our free quote tool.
The New Zealand Healthcare System
The New Zealand healthcare system offers residents and visitors healthcare through the public and private sectors. The public healthcare sector is mainly funded through general taxation. They offer their public healthcare to all citizens and specific work visa holders.
Their public healthcare covers inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, mental health care, disability support, and more at their public healthcare facilities. Public health insurance does not cover optometry, adult dentistry, or orthodontics.
As most visitors in New Zealand won’t be covered by public health insurance, it’s recommended expats secure their own private health insurance for their time in New Zealand.
Private Healthcare and Hospitals for Expats in New Zealand
Private healthcare is available in New Zealand for expats and visitors, with both private hospitals and clinics to choose from. Private healthcare can offer more choices to the patient, with the option to choose your provider and clinic. It can also offer shorter wait times.
What to Do in Medical Emergencies in New Zealand
If you are experiencing a medical emergency in New Zealand, call the number 111 for immediate help and an ambulance. Most major hospitals will have 24-hour emergency departments that can help you in a crisis.
New Zealand’s Accident Coverage for Expats in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the Accident Comprehension Scheme is a program that covers the costs of medical accidents of visitors. In order to be covered by this scheme, you will need to have your accident claimed by a licensed medical provider first.
This scheme offers no-fault coverage, which will financially protect you even if the accident was your fault. In order to claim this coverage, you will also need to have proof of physical damage to your body, like a broken body or other ailment.
Best Private Hospitals in New Zealand for Expats
The best private hospitals in New Zealand include Bowen Hospital, Bay of Islands Hospital, and others. Check out our list below to find each of these hospitals’ contact information.
Bowen Hospital
Website: https://bowen.co.nz/
Phone: +64 4-479 2069
Address: 98 Churchill Drive, Crofton Downs, Wellington 6035, New Zealand
Bay Of Islands Hospital
Website: https://www.northlanddhb.org.nz/
Phone: +64 9 404 0280
Address: Hospital Road, Kawakawa 0210, New Zealand
Mercy Ascot Epsom
Website: https://www.mercyascot.co.nz/
Phone: +64 9-623 5700
Address: 98 Mountain Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Southern Cross Auckland Surgical Centre
Website:https://healthcare.southerncross.co.nz/auckland-surgical-centre
Phone Number: +64 9 925 4700
Address:9 Saint Marks Road, Remuera, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
St George’s Hospital
Website: https://www.stgeorges.org.nz/
Phone: +64 3-375 6000
Address: 249 Papanui Road, Strowan, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand
More Hospitals in New Zealand for Expats and Visitors
Some public hospitals that provide excellent care for expats and visitors in New Zealand are:
Auckland City Hospital
Website: https://www.adhb.health.nz/
Phone: +64 9 367 0000
Address: 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Wellington Regional Hospital
Website: https://www.ccdhb.org.nz/
Phone: +64 4 385 5999
Address: 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Middlemore Hospital
Website: https://www.countiesmanukau.health.nz/
Phone: +64 9 276 0044
Address: 100 Hospital Road, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland 2025, New Zealand
Christchurch Hospital
Website: https://www.cdhb.health.nz/
Phone: +64 3 364 0640
Address: 2 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 4710, New Zealand
Dunedin Hospital
Website: https://www.southernhealth.nz/
Phone: +64 3 474 0999
Address: 201 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Taranaki Base Hospital
Website: https://tdhb.org.nz/
Phone: +64 6 753 6139
Address: David Street, Westown, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand
Waikato Hospital
Website: https://www.waikatodhb.health.nz/
Phone: +64 7 839 8899
Address: 183 Pembroke Street, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand
Greenlane Clinical Centre
Website: https://www.adhb.health.nz/
Phone: +64 9 367 0000
Address: 214 Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
Wakari Hospital
Website: https://www.southernhealth.nz/services/wakari-hospital-dunedin
Phone: +64 3 476 9999
Address: 369 Taieri Road, Halfway Bush, Dunedin 9010, New Zealand
Waitakere Hospital
Website: https://www.waitematadhb.govt.nz/hospitals-clinics/waitakere-hospital/
Phone: +64 9 839 0000
Address: 55-75 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New Zealand
North Shore Hospital
Website: https://www.waitematadhb.govt.nz/
Phone: +64 9 486 8900
Address: 124 Shakespeare Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0620, New Zealand
Lakes District Hospital
Website: https://www.southernhealth.nz/
Phone: +64 3 441 0015
Address: 20 Douglas Street, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Hutt Hospital
Website: https://www.huttvalleydhb.org.nz/
Phone: +64 4 566 6999
Address: 638 High Street, Boulcott, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand
Top Health Insurance Plans for Expats in New Zealand
The top health insurance plans for expats in New Zealand are provided by leading international health insurance providers Cigna, AXA, and Bupa Global. Each of these providers offers comprehensive and unique health insurance policies to fit every budget and lifestyle.
We will share brief overviews of these insurers and their plans below.
1. Cigna Global
Cigna offers expats in New Zealand their Close Care, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. Cigna is one of the largest international health insurance providers, with a broad global network of 1.65 million hospitals, doctors, and clinics.
Cigna’s health insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage for inpatient and outpatient services and more. The core benefits shared by these plans are:
- Inpatient and day patient coverage
- Full cancer care
- Newborn care coverage
- Private hospital rooms
- Hospital stays and treatments
2. AXA
AXA provides expats in New Zealand its health insurance plans in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage.
Annual limits range across the five plans from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan. The core benefits included in all five plans are:
- Inpatient Hospital Charges and Surgeries
- Emergency Care
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Wide Range of Cancer Treatments
- Ambulance Transport
- CT, PET, and MRI Scans
3. Bupa Global
Bupa Global offers international health insurance coverage for expats in New Zealand with their four plans: Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite. Their most affordable plan provides an annual benefit limit of USD $1,260,000.
Their plans and coverage details may vary by region, so ask your insurance broker for more information. Below, we have compiled a short list of the coverage benefits offered by Bupa Global:
- Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Dental Coverage
- Maternity Coverage
- Coverage for Annual Health Checks
- Vaccination Coverage
Top Health Insurance Plans for US Citizens in New Zealand
The top health insurance plans for US Citizens living in New Zealand are offered by GeoBlue, a leading international insurance provider. GeoBlue offers many attractive benefits for expats across the world, but especially for US Citizens.
GeoBlue
GeoBlue offers expats health insurance coverage through their plans Xplorer Premier and Xplorer Essential. The Xplorer Premier plan comes with United States coverage, while Xplorer Essential can have US coverage added at a fee.
GeoBlue plans are especially popular with US citizens due to the Xplorer Premier’s built-in US coverage, which can protect them when they visit back home.
These plans come with benefits like:
- Inpatient and Outpatient Coverage
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Dental Coverage (With a 3-month Waiting Period)
- Maternity Coverage (With a 12-month Waiting Period)
- Coverage for Annual Health Checks
- Vaccination Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many hospitals are in New Zealand?
There are around 220 hospitals in the public and private healthcare sectors in New Zealand. New Zealand doctors and healthcare staff offer accessible and patient-focused care to expats and locals alike through these facilities.
Does New Zealand have high-quality hospitals?
New Zealand has high-quality hospitals in its urban areas. Hospitals and healthcare facilities in more rural areas may be lacking in staff and updated equipment. Generally speaking, New Zealand offers excellent care through their public and private hospitals.
Conclusion
Both public and private hospitals in New Zealand offer high-quality care to foreigners. With an International health insurance policy, expats can access private healthcare facilities with more provider options and shorter wait times.
If you’re ready to begin your search for private health insurance, Pacific Prime can help. As an insurance broker, we are not tied to one specific insurer like an agent. This means we can offer you free and unbiased advice as we help you compare insurance plans.
You can contact us online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-868-1451. If you’d like to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers use our free quote tool!
Check out the best hospitals in Sweden and in Greece as well!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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