When people say nothing is more important than your health – they’re right. And that’s what makes health insurance such an important part of your life. Without your health, your life, lifestyle and earning ability can be impacted.

Choosing health insurance is a smart choice because it gives you the security of knowing you have protection and options should you experience a health problem.

Five important reasons to have health insurance:

• 1. You have a greater choice of when, where and how you get treated, in consultation with your doctor.
• 2. No added stress about how to pay for health bills.
• 3. Avoid long delays in waiting for treatment in the public health system.
• 4. Cover now for many unknown health issues that may arise in the future.
• 5. Access to the latest recognised medical procedures and technology.
  

Medical Cover pays for the treatment of medical conditions. This includes the medical costs of any surgical or non-surgical treatment in a private hospital.

While New Zealand has an established public health system, there are limitations to what it can provide. For emergency treatment, the public system will provide you with immediate care. But for other health problems, even serious ones like heart surgery, you may have to be continuously assessed to remain on the waiting list. It may take months, or even years to be treated. The effects waiting can have on you and your family can range from being inconvenient to devastating.