Insurance in New Zealand
Insurance in New Zealand is a "maybe" vs. in the US it's a "if you don't have this look out." I won't get into the healthcare systems (room to improve), but just the diffs in US vs. NZ insurance.
Growing up in the United States, Insurance was something one just had to have. When you're a kid, you get insurance from your parents. As a working adult, you most often get it from work. I remember every job starting with an onboarding journey that included setting up a 401k (a post for another time), direct deposit, and insurance after choosing through a big book of options.
There are three primary kinds of insurance in the US:
Preferred Provider Organisations (PPO) - more freedom in who you go to; often there is an approval needed for things like naturopathic, but sometimes not.
Health Maintenance Organisations (HMO) - you pay less, but have to go to a specific doctor or network of doctors. You have a primary care provider and then get approvals to see other types of doctor most often.
Point of Service (POS - arguably the worst acronym of the bunch) - you chose a primary care provider, and can also go out of network. To prohibit added costs you need primary care provider referrals for anything out of network.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) - you’re only covered for in-network providers, but you don’t get to pick your primary doctor.
Healthcare programs:
Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) - not a type of insurance, but a way to help uninsured get access to Medicaid and Medicare.
Coverage in between jobs (COBRA) - where your past company or you can pay out of pocket to bridge the gap. This is EXPENSIVE but there is always the fear that something will break whilst uninsured and the costs of that are insane.
In New Zealand, there are three primary options to consider:
Public Healthcare - a free or low cost option if you hold a work visa valid for two years.
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). With this, everyone in New Zealand is covered by a no-fault scheme if they’ve been injured in an accident. This can cover things like a broken arm through to physio if you get her running on the beach.
Private insurance - I use Southern Cross, in part because I’m so used to always having extra coverage. There are others like NIB, Partners Life, AIA, Accuro. I’ve found Southern Cross good for skin cancer checks (the sun is nuts here!) and glasses and dental (high level, it’s not great deep coverage).
I have had the luck of working for companies with great insurance plans in the US and have always selected a PPO - maybe muscle memory. In NZ we have benefited from ACC with a broken thumb :( and with physio support. We also have Southern Cross which we pay for out of pocket (and it’s cheaper than my PPO was) for things like dental, glasses, and just in case we need extra - two teen boys and a very active family means you never know!
One funny thing I’ve found is drivers never give right of way to pedestrians. I think this is cultural and just part of driving and walking here, but part of me also wonders if it’s because if someone gets hit the driver doesn’t pay - ACC does. Hmmm ;o)