Linux:

 

Do they have travel insurance?

 

The OP says they have travel insurance but can only claim after the travel is finished.

My GP is $75 for me and $130 for international visitors.

The good news is I can get an appointment to see a doctor tomorrow morning if I needed to.

Zeon:

 

USA healthcare culture coming to New Zealand.... pretty sure I have paid <$100 last year for non-residents who were staying with me to go to the local GP. Also its worthwhile shopping around for medications that are prescribed from different pharmacies.

 

I got sick once on a flight to Australia and ended up in hospital there for 3 days. I remember in the emergency room a couple of international students drag in their unconscious friend 1 under each arm. The duty nurse asked if he had travel insurance which they didn't know - they ended up dragging him still unconscious back out.

 

Some other experiences:

 

• I was hospitalised in China for 1 day - doctor consultation, blood tests, antibiotics and stay = $40 USD
• I was hospitalised in Russia for 1 day - doctor consultation, blood tests, antibiotics and stay = $200 USD

People in NZ don't know how incredibly lucky we are to have healthcare like we do...

 

TBF the charging for non-residents has been in place for a long time, but we hardly ever hear about except when it affects someone we know or comes up like this. I don't believe we have a rabid pay_now_MF system Ala America, and a LOT of medical gets written off - meaning charged back to the taxpayer - when it can't be collected.

$300 sounds typical for AKLD/WLG. My GP is $80/visit in central wlg, so I save up all my illnesses and get looked at in bulk

eracode:

 

@David321 You don’t say where are they visiting from. I’m not sure which other countries but there’s reciprocal medical rights between NZ and some countries - Aus and UK for a start. A friend of ours had to visit a GP while on holiday in England last year and it was totally free/covered.

 

Just checked and NZ’s reciprocal health agreements are with Oz and UK only.

antoniosk: $300 sounds typical for AKLD/WLG. My GP is $80/visit in central wlg, so I save up all my illnesses and get looked at in bulk 

You might get away with multiple complaints if you've known the Doctor for some time but usually this is discouraged. This message is probably typical. My GP doesn’t like getting more than 30 minutes behind in a morning or afternoon session. You don't feel pushed but he moves things along.

"Generally the doctor can cover 1 issue or 2 small issues during your 15 minute appointment time. The doctor may ask you to rebook if you come with multiple issues.

If you require a longer appointment please let reception know at the time of making your appointment so they can book you a double appointment. An additional fee will apply for appointments longer than 15 minutes"

in 1991 I injured my shoulder skiing in the USA. I visited the local hospital, got an x-ray, a sling and some painkillers for about US$2k 

NZ not such a bad deal depending in your point of reference. Where did the visitors come from?

johno1234:

 

in 1991 I injured my shoulder skiing in the USA. I visited the local hospital, got an x-ray, a sling and some painkillers for about US$2k 

 

NZ not such a bad deal depending in your point of reference. Where did the visitors come from?

 

Not sure that a 34-yo example is particularly relevant now.