Question re Diabetic Care

[SueJon]

Hi All, my OH & I are planning on to NZ in April permanently (if we're lucky) as we'll be applying for work, lining up job interviews - if we find work, apply for work permit then for PR via EOI process as already have 120 points so the job offer will clinch it for us... we're hoping and praying

My question is regarding my OH - he has Diabetes Type 1 and has had it since he was a young boy. He's in his 30s now, the diabetes is controlled and he is of perfect health otherwise - very fit, good weight etc.

Being that we are from Malta - a certain amount of insulin and blood strips are provided free of charge by the government every month. We were wondering how the system works in NZ. Is any care provided free of charge and if not, maybe a type 1 diabetic could advise an approximate amount of money spent monthly to cover all diabetic expenses such as purchasing insulin, blood sticks and other items + check-ups etc. I know this information will obviously differ from person to person but a general indication would really help us budget since they are free in Malta - we wonder how much of an expense being a diabetic really is??!!

Thank you so much for your help.

[72andsunny]

Is any care provided free of charge and if not, maybe a type 1 diabetic could advise an approximate amount of money spent monthly to cover all diabetic expenses such as purchasing insulin, blood sticks and other items + check-ups etc.

There is not too much that is free here, but not too much that's expensive:

I would count on paying $3 each for a 3 month supply of (each) insulin, syringes/needles, and test strips. (Change the $3 to $15 if your OH does not want to see a doctor affiliated with a PHO [Primary Health Organization]. Doctors visits will be in addition to this (circa $30). People visiting the doctor excessively, or on numerous medications are eligible for a discount on both doctors visits and prescriptions.

[Duncan74]

The bigger issue isn't the cost to the patient, but the cost to the health service here. I say this from the point of view of meeting the 'good health' criteria which is based on a lifetime cost of treatment. At the very least you're in for a very long battle with medical assessors and not wishing to be overly blunt then there's not a cat in hells chance of April happening without a job offer, and even with then it's highly optimistic based on other people's experience. I'm not saying this to be mean, quite the opposite, just to prepare you for what may well be a protracted process.

[72andsunny]

The bigger issue isn't the cost to the patient, but the cost to the health service here. I say this from the point of view of meeting the 'good health' criteria which is based on a lifetime cost of treatment. At the very least you're in for a very long battle with medical assessors and not wishing to be overly blunt then there's not a cat in hells chance of April happening without a job offer, and even with then it's highly optimistic based on other people's experience. I'm not saying this to be mean, quite the opposite, just to prepare you for what may well be a protracted process.

I'd second you Duncan as one would think that a type I diabetic would inherently use >25k in medical dollars over his/her lifetime, but others on the forum (with well controlled type I diabetes) have been granted PR without problem.

[Duncan74]

I'd second you Duncan as one would think that a type I diabetic would inherently use >25k in medical dollars over his/her lifetime, but others on the forum (with well controlled type I diabetes) have been granted PR without problem.

Would be great if the highlighted was true, but is this the case, or was it following a medical waiver? Hoping for the former for SueJon's sake.

[Dave in NZ]

Hi
I am type 1 Diabetic and have been in New Zealand nearly 4 years.

I enclose a link to medical charges

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/index...ealth-payments


Charges do vary between doctors clinics. I pay $ 40 if I need to see the doctor and I pay $14 for a repeat prescription which is every 3 months. I do believe some clinics do not charge for repeat prescriptions but not in my area but I am happy to pay this.
I am then charged at the chemist $3 per each medicine for 3 months supply.
Now there are certain insulins that are not available for free here. Levimir is not and Lanctus is only available for free once you have seen a Diabetic specialist.
I am on Lanctus and when I first came over I had to pay for this until I went to the local Diabetic clinic at our local hospital,This cost approx $70 per month
Blood tests are free and you get a free check once a year at your doctors with the nurse. I do not use this as I am seen for free at the Diabetic clinic.
I am not sure however how this applies if you do not have PR. Someone else may know this as I have PR.
As regards medical waivers although I was referred to a medical assessor I did not need a waiver although they took 3 to 4 months to approve it as they contacted my consultant in the UK
My diabetes is well controlled with a hba1c average of 7.2 the higher your HBa1c average is then the more they look into it
I would stress thought that these fees are for permanent residents or citizens of New Zealand. You would have to enquire more if you are on a work visa

Hope this helps

[SueJon]

Dear All,

Thank you for your replies which have been very helpful. I understand that without PR obviously these services will not be available to us but it is encouraging to note that once we are both PRs diabetic care is very similar to the services offered in Malta. I have read on previous threads that being a diabetic does not stop someone from gaining PR - his BMI is 22.3 so perfect body weight and blood glucose levels are always between 7 and 8. Obviously the application process and getting things approved by MA would therefore take longer. We are hoping to secure employment in NZ then apply fro PR from there hence our coming up in April which shouldn't be a problem from what I see.

Thanks again

[Dave in NZ]

Dear All,

I have read on previous threads that being a diabetic does not stop someone from gaining PR - his BMI is 22.3 so perfect body weight and blood glucose levels are always between 7 and 8. Obviously the application process and getting things approved by MA would therefore take longer. We are hoping to secure employment in NZ then apply fro PR from there hence our coming up in April which shouldn't be a problem from what I see.

Thanks again

Hi again

I would say without doubt that with blood glucose readings between 7 and 8 (I take it you mean the Hba1c) you will have no problems being accepted. With type 1 diabetes they are mainly concerned with the long term cost as uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney failure, eye problems,neuropathy problems, so they will look very closely at your control and I cannot see any problem at all in him being approved. I have been type 1 diabetic for 40 years and my control is one of the best my diabetic clinic has seen and I have had a few problems but nothing major. If I can be of any further help feel free to pm me
Dave

[SueJon]

Yes sorry about that, I was indeed referring to the Hba1c readings. Thank you so much once again Dave and Caroline, the information provided has been extremely helpful and perfectly answers my query. We have a long journey from here and we'll be sure to get in touch once again in the future if the need arises, thanks also for your offer for us to pm you which we may just take you up on later in our fight for PR!!