Extending access to primary care services from 1 December 2018

Several changes are set to take place to provide New Zealanders with greater access to primary care. The changes are part of Budget 2018 and include:

• Extended access to low-cost GP visits for all Community Services Card (CSC) holders, including injury-related visits (ACC)
• Extending CSC eligibility to all people receiving accommodation supplements or who are tenants in social housing
• Extending zero-fee GP visits and exemption from the standard prescription co-payment charge (usually $5 per item) on subsidised prescription items for children under the age of 14. This includes after-hours services and injury-related visits (ACC).

General practices and PHOs are making some changes to business processes to prepare for the new initiatives. To support them during the implementation process, the Ministry is publishing regular bulletins. The bulletins are available on the Ministry of Health website: Bulletin updates for extending access to primary care services

Please refer to the bulletin updates for contact information if you have any queries or need more information about the extended access to primary care services. Alternatively, you can email: primary_care@moh.govt.nz.