A woman crossing a walk bridge in a New Zealand forrest
A woman crossing a walk bridge in a New Zealand forrest

Summary of changes to your HealthEssentials plan

This is a summary of the changes to your HealthEssentials plan which come into effect on 1 April 2023.

These updates apply to existing HealthEssentials policies and new policies from 1 April 2023. This means that any eligible healthcare service that occurs on or after 1 April 2023 will be covered in accordance with the changes to the policy that came into effect on that date.

This summary is a guide only. For full policy terms and conditions, refer to the HealthEssentials policy document for your plan dated 1 April 2023. References to "cover" are subject to any applicable benefit limits, co-pay or stand down periods that may apply under your policy and any terms included in your membership certificate.

The HealthEssentials policy document, effective 1 April 2023, can be found here.

You can also read the frequently asked questions about the changes here.

New eligible healthcare services, practitioners covered

  • New cover added to your GP consultation and renamed to primary care

    The new primary care benefit has an increased maximum annual limit of $250 per claims year.
    Within this primary care benefit we now cover:

    - general practitioner consultations
    - nurse consultations
    - prescriptions for Pharmac-approved medicines
    - an annual health check performed by a GP or Nurse.

  • New cover added under a new ear care benefit

    The new ear care benefit has a maximum annual limit of $300 per claims year.
    Within this ear care benefit we now cover:

    - audiologist consultations
    - hearing tests.

  • New cover added under your self care benefit

    We have added cover to see a rongoā Māori practitioner under your self care benefit.

Enhanced existing cover and clearer policy wording

  • Cover for Dental consultations and treatment renamed to dental care

    We have removed the exclusion for the extraction of wisdom teeth from your dental care benefit.

  • Cover for Optometrist consultations and prescription glasses/contact lenses renamed to eye care

    No other changes to this benefit.

  • Adult dependant wording

    Wording regarding premiums for adult dependants has been deleted to accurately reflect HealthEssentials pricing.

  • General policy exclusions

    General policy exclusions have been added to the new cover. General policy exclusions which are no longer relevant have been removed.