27 September 2007

Kiwis benefit from cheaper doctors’ fees

The Government is ensuring that New Zealanders are receiving the benefits from its investment in Primary Health Care – while National wants to hand out money without any guarantees that ordinary Kiwis will benefit, Health Minister Pete Hodgson said.

“This Labour-led Government has worked with PHOs to ensure that ordinary New Zealanders pay less to go to a doctor.”

“Typically the fees are reduced by $27 for an ordinary visit, they are then capped in the sense that fees are then not allowed to rise more than a certain amount, approximately inflation.” Pete Hodgson said.

However, GPs are entitled to ask a review panel for an exemption, where anomalous situations arise. About 7 percent of practices have sought such an exemption, with some succeeding and others not.

“The whole aim of reducing doctors’ fees is to encourage new Zealanders to go to the doctor sooner, or more regularly.

“In that way they will get any problems diagnosed earlier and will enjoy better health as a result,” Pete Hodgson said.

ENDS

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