FAQ

What do I get by joining Waiora Healthcare PHO?

These are some of the benefits you will receive:

• You will pay less to see your doctor through Waiora Healthcare PHO (see the Health Centres page for details)
• You pay no more than $3 for most medicines
• You can get these benefits even if you do not have a Community Services Card
• Waiora Healthcare health professionals are also working to prevent illness and promote healthier communities
• We provide a range of health services to you for free (see our Services page for details).

Remember, seeing your usual family doctor and health professionals from your own PHO is better for you and your family because that health team gets to know you and your family’s health needs.

What is primary health care?

Primary health care is usually the first contact you have with health professionals in the community, for example, when you visit your GP and nurse at a local health centre, or when a nurse visits you at the marae health clinic. It is not hospital care but professional health care that is probably near to where you and your family or whänau live and work. Your GP and nurse provide most of your primary health care.

What is a Primary Health Organisation (PHO)?

A PHO is a group of doctors, nurses and other health professionals who are working with the community to provide community-based health service for you and your family. This team will work with you to improve your health as well as treat you when you need care. A PHO welcomes your ideas about the services you want to improve your health and the health of your family/whanau.

They are local groups of primary health care providers responsible for organising and delivering primary health care to meet the needs of their patients. They will give their communities, iwi and people enrolled with them the opportunity to have their say about the services the PHO provides.

They get a set amount of funding from the Government to subsidise a range of health services. The funding is based on the numbers and characteristics (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity) of people enrolled with them. The funding will pay for services to:

• provide care and treatment when people are ill
• help people to stay healthy
• reach out to groups in their community who have poor health or who are missing out on primary health care

The Government plans to increase funding to PHOs with the aim of reducing the cost of primary health care for everyone over time.
Visit the Ministry of Health website for more information: www.moh.govt.nz/pho

Who is eligible to enrol in a PHO?

You must have Permanent Residency in New Zealand, or be on a 2-year work visa to enrol and receive lower fees at your Health Centre. Others who are not able to enrol with a PHO may still visit a local health centre and will be charged the Casual rate.

How do I know if I'm enrolled in a PHO?

You can ask your usual family doctor if you are already enrolled, or you can check your enrolment and PHO contact details by calling 0800 HLTH4U (0800 252 464).

What if I want to change my GP and enrol somewhere else?

You can change your GP at any time – just ask at your current Health Centre about transferring. The Ministry of Health will advise your last GP that you have enrolled somewhere else, but will NOT give out the name of your new doctor, health service or Primary Health Organisation.

Can I enrol my children or other members of my family or whänau?

Yes, you can enrol any children in your care if they are 16 years of age or under – just ask at your Health Centre what you need to do. If they are over the age of 16 they need to enrol themselves, unless you have Power of Attorney or you are their authorised representative. You can also take enrolment forms and information home for other adult family members.

What will happen if I do not enrol with a Primary Health Organisation?

You can choose not to enrol, but you will miss out on a lot of benefits available to enrolled patients, including:

• lower fees to see the doctor
• lower prescription fees
• other services.

Can I see another doctor or primary health care professional who doesn't belong to my PHO?

If you choose to visit an alternative doctor you might not receive the low fees available to enrolled patients, and could be charged as a casual patient instead.

What happens if I visit another service?

Your usual doctor will loose part of the money that is paid to look after your health needs for the year. This equates to approximately $35.00 per visit you make to another doctor, but there is no penalty to you, other than the possibility of losing out on your normal low fees.

Can I enrol with two Primary Health Organisations (PHOs)?

No. You should enrol with the service you use most often so that you receive low fees on each visit. You can still visit other primary health care professionals but there are benefits when you get most of your health care from your usual doctor, nurse or health service.

What are my rights when receiving health services?

You have rights when you receive health or disability services whether you pay for them or not. If you would like to find out more about your rights, or if you have any complaint about the care you receive, you can get help from your local advisory service and Health and Disability Commissioner, or see our Your Rights section. Primary Health Organisations are not allowed to refuse to enrol you because you have poor health or require more health care. If you feel you have been unfairly refused enrolment, contact your local District Health Board. All Primary Health Organisation enrolments must comply with the Human Rights Act 1993.

What is the Health Information Privacy Code 1994?

This code was prepared by the Privacy Commissioner in 1994 to ensure that your privacy is protected. The code is enforceable by law. Your health service may have copies of the Health Information Privacy Code Fact Sheets. If not, you can get them from the Privacy Commissioner:

Address: PO Box 466, Auckland
Telephone: call free 0800 803 909
Fax: (09) 302 2305
Website: www.privacy.org.nz

Can I see my enrolment details and medical notes to check and change, if necessary, the information?

Yes - ask about this at your Health Centre, or see our Your Health Records section.
All of your enrolment and health information will be collected, stored and used under the guidance of the Privacy Act 1993 and the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.

Why do you want to know about my ethnicity?

For a number of reasons, including:

• Some ethnic groups have poorer health than others and are missing out on health care.
• Primary Health Organisations need to know the ethnic group of people enrolled with them so that services can be arranged to meet their needs.
• More money is allocated from the government for Maori and Polynesian health care. This money is given to the PHO to implement projects to address the health care needs of these groups.

What happens to my health information?

Your information is confidential and is only shared with other health care professionals, with your consent.

Who can read my National Health Index (NHI) information?

Only health agencies that are involved in providing health services can read and use your National Health Index information. The New Zealand Health Information Service, which is part of the Ministry of Health, manages and maintains the National Health Index under the guidance of the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.

If you would like more information, a National Health Index brochure is available from the New Zealand Health Information Service:

Address: PO Box 5013, Wellington
Telephone: (04) 922-1800
Fax: (04) 922-1899
Email: information@nzhis.govt.nz
Website: www.nzhis.govt.nz

Why is the National Health Index number (NHI) used?

• It helps to avoid the health information of people with the same name or with similar names getting mixed up.
• It allows health professionals involved in your care to share health information without using your name and address. This protects your privacy.

What is the National Health Index (NHI)?

The National Health Index has been part of the New Zealand health system for many years. The number is usually allocated to you at birth. The National Health Index holds information on:

• Names
• Addresses
• Ethnicity
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Gender
• New Zealand residency status.

If you do not find the answer to your question here please contact us