Cancer today in New Zealand

Diagnostic imaging and tests
71 Kiwis are diagnosed with cancer each day.1
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Cancer rates expected to nearly double by 2040.2
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50% of Kiwis living with cancer are aged 25-64.3

Southern Cross is New Zealand’s largest health insurer, looking after the health of more than 955,000 New Zealanders4

Thousands of Southern Cross members claim for cancer related healthcare services each year. How quickly you’re diagnosed, having fast access to treatment and a say in your own care can make a big difference.

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Tell us about yourself...

I'm
  • over 60 years old
  • under 60 years old
and
  • already a member
  • new to Southern Cross
drip

All our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment (excludes HealthEssentials).

You already have cover for up to $60,000 per year for chemotherapy treatment6 (including $10,000 per year for non-Pharmac approved Medsafe indicated chemotherapy drugs6 ) as well as the following benefits:

consultation
Specialist consultations
xray
Diagnostic imaging and tests
radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
surgical_procedures
Surgical procedures

Additional cover

You can choose to add or upgrade the cancer cover on your existing plan (depending on which plan you are on).

download icon

Cancer Assist

Provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer. Use the tax-free one-off payment to spend on what’s important to you at a time when you need it most. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

download icon

Critical Illness

Similar to Cancer Assist, Critical Illness provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer or critical illness, or suffer a trauma such as a heart attack, stroke or loss of independent living. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

drip

All our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment (excludes HealthEssentials).

You'll have cover for up to $60,000 per year for chemotherapy treatment6 (including $10,000 per year for non-Pharmac approved Medsafe indicated chemotherapy drugs6 ) as well as the following benefits:

consultation
Specialist consultations
xray
Diagnostic imaging and tests
radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
surgical_procedures
Surgical procedures

Additional cover

When you purchase a plan (depending on which plan you choose) you can choose to add or upgrade your cancer cover.

download icon

Critical Illness

Similar to Cancer Assist, Critical Illness provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer or critical illness, or suffer a trauma such as a heart attack, stroke or loss of independent living. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

download icon

Cancer Assist

Provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer. Use the tax-free one-off payment to spend on what’s important to you at a time when you need it most. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

drip

All our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment (excludes HealthEssentials).

You already have cover for up to $60,000 per year for chemotherapy treatment6 (including $10,000 per year for non-Pharmac approved Medsafe indicated chemotherapy drugs6 ) as well as the following benefits:

consultation
Specialist consultations
xray
Diagnostic imaging and tests
radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
surgical_procedures
Surgical procedures

Additional cover

You can choose to add or upgrade the cancer cover on your existing plan (depending on which plan you are on).

download icon

Cancer Cover Plus

Gives you the option to increase your chemotherapy benefit to either $100,000 or $300,000 per claims year towards treatment, including Pharmac and non-Pharmac approved drugs6. Only available where all members on a policy are under 60 years of age. Need more cover? You can also take out a Cancer Assist or Critical Illness plan to provide a one-off payment.

download icon

Cancer Assist

Provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer. Use the tax-free one-off payment to spend on what’s important to you at a time when you need it most. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

download icon

Critical Illness

Similar to Cancer Assist, Critical Illness provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer or critical illness, or suffer a trauma such as a heart attack, stroke or loss of independent living. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

drip

All our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment (excludes HealthEssentials).

You'll have cover for up to $60,000 per year for chemotherapy treatment6 (including $10,000 per year for non-Pharmac approved Medsafe indicated chemotherapy drugs6 ) as well as the following benefits:

consultation
Specialist consultations
xray
Diagnostic imaging and tests
radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
surgical_procedures
Surgical procedures

Additional cover

When you purchase a plan (depending on which plan you choose) you can choose to add or upgrade your cancer cover.

download icon

Cancer Cover Plus

Gives you the option to increase your chemotherapy benefit to either $100,000 or $300,000 per claims year towards treatment, including Pharmac and non-Pharmac approved drugs6. Only available where all members on a policy are under 60 years of age. Need more cover? You can also take out a Cancer Assist or Critical Illness plan to provide a one-off payment

download icon

Critical Illness

Similar to Cancer Assist, Critical Illness provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer or critical illness, or suffer a trauma such as a heart attack, stroke or loss of independent living. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

download icon

Cancer Assist

Provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0007, on top of your health insurance, if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying cancer. Use the tax-free one-off payment to spend on what’s important to you at a time when you need it most. You can add this cover for just you or for other members on your policy.

1. https://www.cancer.org.nz/assets/Uploads/CSNZ-Manifesto-2023-24.pdf 2. https://www.cancer.org.nz/about-us/latest-news/cancer-rates-expected-to-double-by-2040 3. Research: Troubling gap facing cancer survivors | Otago Daily Times Online News (odt.co.nz) 4. (2024) Annual Report Southern Cross Health Society 5. Kiwicare and RegularCare provide a maximum of $48,000 cover for chemotherapy treatment each claims year including $8,000 for non-Pharmac approved, but Medsafe-indicated, chemotherapy drugs. 6. Subject to eligibility criteria. Only available on KiwiCare, RegularCare, Wellbeing One, Wellbeing Two, and UltraCare plans. Only available where all members on a policy are under 60 years old. 7. Subject to eligibility criteria. Members over 65 are only insured to $20,000 of cover.