Referral to a specialist

You may be referred to a specialist or hospital by your general practitioner (GP) or other health professional. The specialist will then contact you for an appointment. Depending on your situation and how busy the specialist is, you may have to go on a waiting list.

Most specialist appointments are funded by the government if you qualify for public health services. If you have had an accident that is covered by ACC, they may also cover specialist costs including surgery.

Guide to eligibility for public health services — Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

Disability Allowance to help with costs

You can apply for the Disability Allowance if you are either disabled or have a long-term illness and you are on a low income. This can help with paying for other costs when you see a specialist, for example, prescriptions, travel or parking.

Disability Allowance — Work and Income

See a specialist privately

You can choose to go private if you want to visit a specific specialist or you want to see a specialist quickly. You have to pay for your appointment and treatment — the government does not fund this.

If you have health insurance, your insurer may pay for you to see a specialist privately. Check with your insurer before making an appointment.

Travelling a long way to visit a specialist

If you’re referred to another specialist by your specialist, the National Travel Assistance Scheme may be able to help with some costs.

You may get help with paying for your travel and accommodation if you:

• cannot get other government help with travel costs
• travel a long way to see a specialist
• have very frequent visits.

National Travel Assistance Scheme — Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

Other healthcare or treatment

For some types of healthcare, you do not need a referral from your GP. You can make an appointment by contacting them directly yourself.

Some services and treatments are funded by the government, either in full or subsidised (you have to pay part of the cost).

Wait lists for seeing a specialist

Talk to your GP or the booking administrator for information about wait times in your area.

Questions and answers — Planned Care services — Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

Waiting for an appointment

In the public health system, the time it takes to get an appointment to see a specialist depends on your situation and how many other people also need to see the same specialist.

If there is a high demand and you do not need help quickly, you may have to go on a waiting list.

Your GP continues to look after you while you wait for your appointment.

Waiting for surgery

If the specialist decides you need surgery, you go on a waiting list unless you need surgery urgently.

How long you have to wait depends on how urgent your need is compared with the other people on the list.

Private health insurance

Some private health-insurance policies cover specialist appointments.

You can only take out health insurance if you’re eligible for care from the public health system — for example, if you’re a tourist, you should take out travel insurance instead to pay for any health treatment you need.

Getting publicly funded health services