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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Cover for Optometrist consultations and prescription glasses/contact lenses renamed to eye care
No other changes to this benefit.
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Adult dependant wording
Wording regarding premiums for adult dependants has been deleted to accurately reflect HealthEssentials pricing.
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General policy exclusions
General policy exclusions have been added to the new cover. General policy exclusions which are no longer relevant have been removed.