Health Insurance for Studying in New Zealand

Whether for a semester abroad in New Zealand or a full degree – international students must prove that they have taken out health insurance in order to be able to enroll at a New Zealand university. The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students stipulates the compulsory insurance and the scope of the benefits. However, students from abroad can easily and directly insure themselves through the university of their choice, which has selected a preferred provider.

International health insurance is a requirement for a New Zealand student visa and must be valid during your studies until the visa expires. Students who enter the country on a tourist visa and can thus take courses for less than twelve weeks should definitely take out private health insurance.

The compulsory insurance in Germany remains in effect during your studies in New Zealand, a country located in Oceania according to globalsciencellc. If changes are foreseeable during the stay abroad, students should contact their health insurance company in advance. This includes, for example, the expiry of family insurance due to old age.

The health system in New Zealand

The New Zealand health system is similar to the UK system with government subsidized offers for local residents and private supplementary insurance. Public hospitals cater to New Zealanders at reduced rates or free of charge. According to New Zealand’s view, everyone gets a “ fair go ” in life. Post-accident treatment is also free of charge for visitors to the island state, even if the injured person caused the accident themselves. This is made possible by the state accident insurance ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation).

New Zealanders go to the GP, the general practitioner, when they are ill. These general practitioners work in group practices in a so-called medical center and refer to specialists. Registration is required before treatment and the practice may charge fees for patients who do not live in the area. New Zealand’s government-subsidized health system makes prescription drugs and treatments cheaper for locals. Dental treatments are not included, however, so that additional insurance is necessary for them. The ambulance is only free in the Wellington Area.

A work visa for New Zealand of at least two years allows the holder to use the state offers on conditions for locals. Non-residents have to pay for some hospital services. Private travel and health insurance is therefore a prerequisite for a New Zealand visa.

Compulsory insurance for international students

International students are required to have insurance in New Zealand. With the visa application, you submit proof of private travel and health insurance. At the time of the application, the plan to take out insurance is sufficient. However, the visa will only be issued after confirmation of the insurance cover by the New Zealand university. The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students regulates this requirement for all educational institutions in New Zealand.

Exceptions to this rule are students who are funded through the NZ Aid Program or a Commonwealth Scholarship. You can use the public health system on local terms.

The benefits and conditions of international health insurance vary widely. Find out in advance about the options, for example with your existing German compulsory insurance. It is important to note that the universities in New Zealand only accept insurance policies with the same scope of benefits as the providers they have selected.

Many universities list alternative health insurances on their website that are suitable for international students. If your insurance is not on this list, you should contact the university at least five weeks before the start of the course. If you have your own insurance, you need to submit a corresponding form and proof of insurance in English. The university will then check whether your health insurance is permitted. If not, she will automatically register you with her preferred provider.

The deadlines for submitting proof of international health insurance vary at the universities. Therefore, you should inform yourself in good time when your desired university needs which documents.

Since many health insurances for foreign countries do not cover dental treatment, the New Zealand universities recommend that you undertake appropriate examinations in your home country before departure. Otherwise international students will have to pay the full cost.

Scholarship holders should check whether there is insurance coverage in connection with their scholarship during their studies.

University insurance plans in New Zealand

International students can take out travel and health insurance directly through the New Zealand college. The costs are usually the tuition fees added. You only have to pay upon arrival and at the latest when the enrollment is completed.

In addition to Uni-Care or Southern Cross, Studentsafe from Allianz Global Assistance is currently a popular health insurance policy at New Zealand universities for international students.

Studentsafe costs and services

Depending on the type of university, Studentsafe offers suitable insurance for international students. Studentsafe-University, for example, is a travel and health insurance policy that all New Zealand universities take out for their international students.

The services include, among other things, access to the medical centers or health centers of the universities, a 16- to 31-day travel insurance for some countries in Oceania and cover short research trips abroad. The insurance includes partners and minor children. In addition to the assumption of medical treatment and medication, the insurance also covers the loss of luggage and personal items or documents. However, furniture or household items are not insured.

Studentsafe does not cover the costs for treatments caused by pre-existing conditions such as asthma or allergies. Those affected must take out additional insurance. In addition, vaccinations, check-ups, dental treatments, contraceptives and treatments for sexual diseases or pregnancy are not included in the catalog of benefits. Naturopathic treatments or traditional Chinese medicine are also not funded.

Studentsafe health insurance is valid for the duration of the student visa and currently costs around NZ $ 589.00 for two semesters or one academic year. Before taking out insurance, you should carefully read and understand all documents and the policy. You can optionally choose a group, partner or family tariff. Start of insurance is 31 days before the start of the course at the earliest.

Behavior in case of illness

Did you injure yourself on the sports course? Or are you hatching a cold? In the event of illness, the Student Health Service will help you directly on the university campus. Usually, there are no costs for prescribing treatments, medication, or referrals with follow-up treatments. The Student Health Service submits the invoice directly to your health insurance company. The maximum limit for patient co-financing of certain treatments or medications is NZ $ 30.

In the event of illnesses that are not covered by the insurance, students must pay Student Health Service for the appointment and the services provided, as well as medication. In some cases, the prescriptions issued there can only be submitted to certain pharmacies or pharmacies. In the pharmacy you can also get over-the-counter drugs.

Family members of international students who are not insured through the university must register at a medical center. You can not use the Student Health Service or related services offered by universities in New Zealand. You have to pay in advance for treatments and later submit your claims to private health insurance. To do this, submit a corresponding form with all the evidence.

The emergency number in New Zealand is 111.

Health Insurance for Studying in New Zealand