DHBs propose private patients pay for lab tests

Shooter — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:55:49 GMT

Speak out DHBs propose private patients pay for lab tests

Auckland area District Health Boards (DHBs) are proposing to charge patients for laboratory
tests requested by a specialist for private patients.

HFANZ advertisement
The Health Funds Association of New Zealand (HFANZ) has placed a full page advertisement in the
New Zealand Herald on 31 October opposing the proposed charges. Please click here to see the advertisement.

What do the proposed charges mean for customers who have health insurance?
The 1.4million New Zealanders with health insurance in effect save the public health sector about
$500million annually, so why should these patients pay another $5,6million¹ for laboratory testing?

Unfair treatment of those with health insurance: Health insurance customers will
be paying twice for their healthcare - once through their taxes and also through their health
insurance premiums.
High fees for lab tests: Laboratory tests can cost anywhere between $10 to $500² and
up to $2,000 doc tests associated with cardiac surgery¹.
Longer public waiting lists: Faced with laboratory test costs, private patients may be
forced into the public health system, increasing the number of people on public waiting lists.

Sources: 1 HFANZ Cover Stories October 2008 In Auckland, 8% of laboratory tests are ordered by private specialists,
totalling $5.6million a year. 2 New Zealand Herald, 3 November 2008 - Few support charge for private patients

Will the proposed charges to private patients affect customers premiums?
Yes, charges for laboratory testing are likely to increase the cost of claims which may then need to
be reflected in the cost of premiums. The final premium increases will be determined through
monitoring the impact on claims costs over time.

What can you do to speak out against the proposed charges?
We encourage you to submit your objections and concerns by:

Emailing labs@ndsa.co.nz
Going to www.communitylabs.co.nz
Calling 0800 522 667 to request a submission pack.

Submissions close on 14 November 2008.

Suggested theme of your submission

Oppose charging private patients for laboratory tests referred by a specialist
It is not fair for private patients who take responsibility for their healthcare to pay twice
for their helathcare
Those with health insurance are tax payers too and should be treated fairly
Those with health insurance will likely be subjected to increased premiums
If premiums become unaffordable, there will be an increased burden on the public health
system.

Article published by The New Zealand Herald, 3 November 2008
Please click here to see a further article published in The New Zealand Herald yesterday

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DHBs propose private patients pay for lab tests