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Cancer Cover Plus

Cancer today in New Zealand

71 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer each day1. This number is expected to nearly double by 20402. How quickly you’re diagnosed, having fast access to treatment and a say in your own care can make a big difference.


Cancer cover with Southern Cross

Southern Cross Health Insurance plans offer cover for major medical expenses (including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and cancer surgery), specialist consultations and more which can mean fast access to diagnosis and treatment.

Increase your cover for chemotherapy with Cancer Cover Plus

Cancer Cover Plus can be added to your Southern Cross health insurance plan as an upgrade from the 'chemotherapy for cancer' benefit under your plan (available on KiwiCare, RegularCare, Wellbeing One and Two, and UltraCare). It provides a higher level of cover for costs associated with chemotherapy treatment, including chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but are Medsafe-indicated.


Choose your cover level

Cancer Cover Plus gives you the option to upgrade your chemotherapy for cancer cover to either $100,000 or $300,000 each claims year, by choosing Chemotherapy 100 or Chemotherapy 300.

Cancer Cover Plus upgrades are fully underwritten, regardless of any pre-existing condition concessions. Policy terms and conditions, including eligibility criteria, policy maximums and exclusions apply. Only available to purchase where all members on a policy are under 60 years old.

How to add Cancer Cover Plus

You can get a quote and add Cancer Cover Plus when choosing health insurance online. In the quote tool, first select your preferred health insurance plan and at step 3 add Cancer Cover Plus as an upgrade option. Alternatively, call our team on 0800 100 555. Members with an existing health insurance plan can add Cancer Cover Plus by calling 0800 100 777 or visit manage my cover on My Southern Cross.


Compare cancer cover options below

Tell us about yourself...

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

Our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment3

All Wellbeing and UltraCare plans include cover for chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $60,000 each claims year (includes $10,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

RegularCare and KiwiCare plans include cover for 80% of the amount charged for costs associated with chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $48,000 each claims year (includes $8,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

Policy terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

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).

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Cancer Assist

Provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0005, 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.

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Critical Illness

Similar to Cancer Assist, Critical Illness provides a one-off payment of up to $300,0006, 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

Our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment3

All Wellbeing and UltraCare plans include cover for chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $60,000 each claims year (includes $10,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

RegularCare and KiwiCare plans include cover for 80% of the amount charged for costs associated with chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $48,000 each claims year (includes $8,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

Policy terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

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 $300,0006, 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 $300,0005, 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

Our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment3

All Wellbeing and UltraCare plans include cover for chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $60,000 each claims year (includes $10,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

RegularCare and KiwiCare plans include cover for 80% of the amount charged for costs associated with chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $48,000 each claims year (includes $8,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

Policy terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

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 drugs4. 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 $300,0005, 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 $300,0006, 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

Our plans include a range of benefits that provide cover for cancer treatment3

All Wellbeing and UltraCare plans include cover for chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $60,000 each claims year (includes $10,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

RegularCare and KiwiCare plans include cover for 80% of the amount charged for costs associated with chemotherapy treatment for cancer up to $48,000 each claims year (includes $8,000 for chemotherapy drugs that are not Pharmac approved but Medsafe indicated).

Policy terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

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 drugs4. 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 $300,0006, 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 $300,0005, 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.


Need more help in finding the right health insurance for you?

Call us on 0800 100 555

Our team are happy to help:
Monday to Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm


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. Excludes HealthEssentials plan. 4. Subject to eligibility criteria. Only available as an upgrade to chemotherapy for cancer cover available under KiwiCare, RegularCare, Wellbeing One, Wellbeing Two and UltraCare plans. Only available to purchase where all members on a policy are under 60 years old. 5. Subject to eligibility criteria. A 3-month stand-down period applies. Maximum level of cover automatically reduces to $20,000 on the policy anniversary date following an insured’s 65th birthday. 6. Subject to eligibility criteria. A 3-month stand-down period applies. On the policy anniversary date following an insured’s 65th birthday, cover is automatically reduced to the following critical illness events: cancer, loss of independent living as a direct result of an accident and functional loss as a direct result of an accident with a maximum level of cover for each of $20,000.