Vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies and minerals

MSD must check if the client qualifies for Disability Allowance for these costs first.

If the client qualifies for a Disability Allowance it must be granted before MSD assess if the client qualifies for Temporary Additional Support.

The client may have allowable health and disability costs for Temporary Additional Support where they do not qualify for Disability Allowance because:

• they do not meet the Disability Allowance income limit or
• their disability will last less than 6 months or
• they are certain refugees, protected persons or residence applicants

A registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must complete a Disability Allowance medical certificate confirming the client's disability, the need for treatment and that vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies or minerals are necessary. The certificate must also confirm the treatment is beneficial and of therapeutic value and that the costs are:

• additional and
• ongoing and
• directly related to the client's disability

Note treatment that is beneficial and of therapeutic value means that the treatment may improve the client's condition, maintain the client's condition or prevent it from getting worse.

When a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner indicates on the client's Disability Allowance medical certificate that treatment by another registered health practitioner is necessary, that practitioner must verify the costs of their services.

Allowable costs for Temporary Additional Support can include the cost of vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies and minerals if:

• there are no alternative fully subsidised or partly subsidised pharmaceutical items
• funding from PHARMAC under their Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment Policy has been applied for where applicable and
• the client's registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner has verified that there are no suitable alternatives, and that the non-subsidised vitamin, supplement, herbal remedy or mineral product is essential

Note vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies and minerals can also be included as special foods when they are recommended as necessary by the client's registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner.

The vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies and minerals must be confirmed as not being fully funded, subsidised or provided by health authorities.

The client must provide:

• a Disability Allowance medical certificate completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner, or nurse practitioner and
• proof of their vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies and minerals costs