Overseas medical treatment
When a client is receiving assistance for overseas medical treatment from the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - High Cost Treatment Pool, the client can continue to receive benefit payments for up to 2 years while absent from New Zealand.
Payment can also continue if the partner, dependent child, or sibling of a client is the person who is being assisted under the High Cost Treatment Pool. Payment may also continue for partners and siblings when they are required to accompany the client overseas.
Proof
The client needs to provide proof that Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is assisting with their treatment through the High Cost Treatment Pool.
For the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora criteria see:
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora High Cost Treatment Pool
Legislation
- Absences up to 2 years for medical treatment section 178 Veterans' Support Act 2014
- General rule: benefit not payable while beneficiary absent from New Zealand section 219 Social Security Act 2018
- Exception to general rule: medical treatment regulation 150 Social Security Regulations 2018
