Pregnancy terminations
In most cases the District Health Board pays the full cost of the operation and this avenue of funds must be exhausted first. Special Needs Grants may be approved for termination operation fees when the client has to pay a user part-charge.
A Special Needs Grant for termination travel and accommodation may be paid when:
- a health practitioner refuses to exercise their powers to refer clients for terminations on moral grounds. Payment may be made to clients who wish to travel to another area for referral or
- the client must travel away from home to access surgery and will not receive financial assistance from the District Health Board
On some occasions the District Health Board pays the client's cost of travel and accommodation. That avenue of funds should be exhausted before any Grant is made.
Payment
Unless exceptional circumstances exist, the maximum amount payable for the total of both the part-user charge surgery fee, and travel/ accommodation is $300.
Special Needs Grants for this purpose are:
- non-recoverable
- restricted to one payment in any one 52 week period
Proof
On application for a Special Needs Grant for termination of pregnancy, the following proof is required:
for operation fees: | for travel and accommodation: |
confirmation of user part-charges | Confirmation that the District Health Board will not fund and proof of the cost of travel and accommodation |
