How does an excess work in health insurance?

AIA’s Private Health and Private Health Plus cover lets you choose the excess that best suits your needs. The higher the excess the lower your premium. If an excess is payable you will only pay it once per life assured per policy year and not for every claim, and some benefits do not have an excess at all. When your medical invoices have been received, AIA will pay the providers, less any excess. The treatment provider will usually invoice you for the excess after payment is received from AIA.

What are the benefits of AIA Private Health?

Key benefits of AIA Private Health: No annual limit on the amount you can claim for surgeries $500,000 extensive cancer cover for every stage, from diagnosis, to treatment and recovery Up to $200,000 for major diagnostic imaging and testing Other benefits such as: Overseas treatment Mental health support Parent accommodation Obstetric care allowance Parents grieving benefit Public hospital cash grant Waiver of premium Health screening Reproductive health

Is medical insurance and health insurance the same?

In New Zealand medical and health insurance is essentially the same. Products will differ between insurance providers. They may have different benefits and limits in their policies. It is important to understand what those differences are. Please contact your insurance adviser or request an adviser call to discuss your needs.

What should I know before buying health insurance?

Speak to an insurance adviser to guide you through your questions and help you decide what cover you need. Consider your personal situation and your ability to pay for expensive medical costs and surgery. Many health issues that Kiwis face are either not accidental or can mean delayed treatment due to long waiting lists and can cost thousands of dollars. Health insurance removes the worry around unexpected medical bills so you can focus on getting the right treatment and start your recovery sooner. Know what the policy covers and what it does not cover. Most policies have limitations and exclusions. For example, pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Know what the definitions in the policy mean. These can differ depending on the insurance company that provides your cover.

What questions should I ask when buying health insurance?

The questions you could ask when considering your health insurance options are: What benefits the policy provides and what limitations apply to those conditions What is not covered under the policy (aka policy exclusions) What your excess options are and how those affect your premium How pre-existing conditions are treated and how those may affect your policy and premium. You must disclose all pre-existing conditions to the insurance provider.

Cancer Insurance

Q: How do I make a claim?

Contact your insurance adviser or insurance company as soon as possible once you know that you may have a claim. With AIA you can easily contact our claims department online by live chat, telephone or email. You may need prior approval before undertaking treatment. AIA will help you with this and arrange to pay providers directly if approved. For more information contact your adviser or visit aia.co.nz/claims

Specialised health insurance that helps cover costs for cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

What is cancer insurance?

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and serious illness in New Zealand with 71 people diagnosed with cancer everyday¹. If you’re diagnosed with cancer, having more choice and control over your treatment plan, and support with your finances can improve your journey to recovery.

AIA Cancer Care is specialised health insurance that helps cover costs for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. It provides unlimited cover for cancer surgery and access to specialist consultations, diagnostic tests to confirm cancer diagnosis, Pharmac and non Pharmac chemotherapy drugs and other support benefits.

AIA Vitality is our personalised, science backed health and wellbeing programme that supports you every day to make healthier lifestyle choices. It takes you on a journey to better health - where you get to know your health, improve it, and enjoy the rewards for doing so.

Add AIA Vitality when you purchase cancer care insurance for $11.50 per month to receive:

an initial 10% premium discount* on your first year's premium
earn up to $560 in vouchers or Airpoints Dollars™ per membership year
exclusive rewards and discounts from our partners.

*T&C's apply.

+ Expand All

Why do I need cancer insurance if we have a public health system?

New Zealand's public health system provides free or low-cost health care to eligible New Zealanders. However, relying on the health system for an initial diagnosis of cancer and ongoing cancer treatment could result in high medical bills, long waiting lists and delayed treatment.

With medical insurance, you get to skip the waiting lists. You'll get faster access to specialists, a choice on who treats you, when and where you are treated, access to more medication and treatment options if required.

How does cancer insurance differ from private health insurance?

AIA Cancer Care and AIA Private Health are two products available under our AIA Health insurance range. AIA's Cancer Care insurance is designed to cover medical expenses associated with the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of cancer only whereas AIA Private Health insurance provides comprehensive cover for a wide range of medical conditions, one of which is cancer.

Ready to get started?

Talk to an adviser
Talk to an Adviser

1. https://www.cancer.org.nz/about-us/latest-news/world-cancer-day-2021-cancer-still-nzs-1-killer

AIA Cancer Care insurance benefits^{^}

+ Expand All

Surgery benefits

Inpatient treatment costs

Covers costs associated with surgery, examples include Surgeon, Anaesthetist, Radiologists and Hospital fees.

Access to pre and post surgery support services

Consultations, physiotherapy and prescription drugs

Unlimited

Minor surgical procedures performed by a GP

Up to $3,000 per policy year across both benefits. (Daily limits may apply)

Cancer cover benefits

Treatments and procedures

Including the cost of Pharmac and non-Pharmac subsidised Medsafe indicated cancer chemotherapy drugs

Consultations, tests and diagnostic imaging

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy

Breast symmetry following mastectomy

Prophylactic surgery following cancer

Surgery includes prophylactic mastectomy and/or oophorectomy only, and where criteria is met.

Prostate brachytherapy

$500,000 per policy year

Cancer diagnostics

Covers specialist costs used to confirm a cancer diagnosis.

$5,000 per policy year

Post-cancer treatment care and support

$1,000 per policy year

Public hospital cancer treatment cash benefit

$5,000 per lifetime

Palliative and respite care

$1,500 per lifetime

Medical hospitalisation and testing

Hospitalisation

Covers costs for a treatment of a condition which doesn’t require surgery, examples include hospital accommodation costs, specialist fees, and other ancillary hospital charges.

No specific benefit but may be covered by other benefits of the policy

Major diagnostic imaging and tests

Cover costs of diagnostic tests and imaging, some examples include Angiogram, Colonoscopy, CT scans, Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy and MRI scans.

No specific benefit but may be covered by other benefits of the policy

Public hospital cash grant

$300 per day,
Up to $3,000 per policy year

Loyalty benefits

Cover that comes into effect after a certain period of time has passed

Cancer health screening allowance

$300 (after three years)
or $450 for AIA Vitality members (after two years)

Overseas treatment benefits

Voluntary treatment in Australia

Covers costs for the approved treatment, procedure, consultation, test, diagnostic imaging, support, or care at a health facility approved by AIA.

Treatment overseas where the waiting period in New Zealand is greater than six months

Covers costs for a medically necessary treatment or procedure unable to take place in New Zealand within six months.

100% of the reasonable charges payable in New Zealand

Voluntary treatment overseas (other than Australia)

Covers costs for the approved treatment, procedure, consultation, test, diagnostic imaging, support, or care recommended by a New Zealand specialist.

85% of the reasonable charges payable in New Zealand

Treatment overseas not available in New Zealand

Covers costs for a medically necessary treatment or procedure recommended by an approved specialist.

$30,000 per policy year

Other support benefits

Mental health support benefit

$2,500 per policy year

Treatment away from home in New Zealand

Up to $3,000 per policy year.

(Daily limits may apply)

Waiver of premium on death

Two years free cover (policy)

^This is a summary only. For all terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, please read the policy wording.

Do you want additional peace of mind?

Explore our other insurance products available to extend your cover.

Life Insurance

Provides a lump sum payment if you were to pass away.

Find out more

Trauma Insurance

Financial support if you or your child become seriously ill or injured.

Find out more

Income Protection Insurance

Monthly payment to replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury.

Find out more

Why choose AIA?

Start thriving with

AIA Vitality

Add AIA Vitality to any eligible insurance product and receive an initial 10% premium discount* plus an array of rewards. T&Cs apply.

92% Claims paid

in 2024

$829.6M

Paid

Between 1 January and
31 December 2024.

Financial Strength

Rating

AA

(VERY STRONG)
RATING

More about AIA Cancer Insurance

FAQs

View frequently asked questions about AIA’s Cancer Insurance

+ Expand All

What are the benefits of AIA Cancer Care?

AIA Cancer Care can help pay for the significant costs associated with cancer treatment like hospital stays, diagnostics tests, treatments (including government funded and non-funded cancer treatment medication) and procedures, travel and lodging expenses, childcare, and more.

What if I already have health insurance, can I still get AIA Cancer Care?

AIA Cancer Care cannot be held along with an existing AIA Health policy due to the significant overlap in cover.

If you have existing health insurance with another provider, you will need to review your policy to check if AIA Cancer Care will be a suitable addition to your cover.

Is there an excess with AIA Cancer Care?

AIA Cancer Care is only available with a zero-excess option.

Can children get AIA Cancer Care?

Yes, there is no minimum age to apply for AIA Cancer Care.

What’s the difference between AIA Cancer Care and AIA Living Critical Conditions insurance?

AIA Living Critical Conditions is a trauma product designed to make a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a serious illness or injury from a defined set of conditions (including cancer).
AIA Cancer Care is a health insurance product designed to cover medical expenses associated with the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of cancer. It provides ongoing cover for cancer treatment, rather than a lump sum as in Critical Conditions.

- View less + View more

+ Expand All

If Cancer runs in my family, can I still get AIA Cancer Care?

We recommend you apply for cover providing full details of your family history. The underwriting process will determine if we can provide cover or if there will be additional terms applied to your policy.

How do I make a claim?

With AIA you can easily contact our claims department online by live chat, telephone or email.

You may need prior approval before undertaking treatment. AIA will help you with this and arrange to pay providers directly if approved. For more information contact your adviser or visit aia.co.nz/claims

Policy Wordings

AIA Cancer Care

- +

Cancer Care

Health Waiver Of Premium

Disclaimer

Other things you should know: the availability of insurance cover is subject to your application being approved. All applications are subject to individual consideration. Special conditions, exclusions and premium loadings may apply. This insurance is underwritten by AIA New Zealand Limited (‘AIA’). For full details of the products and benefits offered by AIA, please refer to the policy document(s) which are available from AIA. The information contained in this publication is general in nature and is not intended as advice. It may not be relevant to individual circumstances and before making any insurance decision, you should consult a professional Adviser.

A note on exclusions and benefits
This insurance (including the built-in and optional benefits) is subject to certain stand down periods and exclusions. Please also note that the optional benefits are subject to an increase in premium and their own terms and conditions.

Terms and conditions apply
AIA Vitality is available with eligible AIA health or life insurance policies and has a monthly membership fee of $11.50 (including GST). View the full AIA Vitality terms and conditions.

Your Duty of Disclosure

When you apply for insurance with AIA New Zealand Limited, you have a legal duty of disclosure to AIA.

Find out More

Our insurance products

Life Insurance

Health Insurance

Trauma Insurance

Total Permanent Disablement

Income Protection Insurance

AIA Starter Plans

Specified Accidental Injury Cover

Business Insurance

Corporate Solutions

Rural Insurance

AIA Vitality

AIA Vitality Simulator

AIA Vitality Premium Flex Explained

How to earn points

Benefits & Rewards

Physical activity points explained

Sprint to Silver

Content Hub

AIA Vitality Starter

Make a Claim

Health insurance claims

Life insurance claims

Income protection insurance claims

Trauma insurance claims

AIA CLAIMS 360 CARE

Corporate Solutions - Making a Claim

About AIA

Our Purpose

Our Leadership Team

Charity Partners

Careers at AIA

Become an Adviser with AIA

AIA Thrive

Media Centre

Sustainability

Code of Conduct​ & Procedures

Help & Support

My AIA

Update your contact details

Contact AIA

Frequently asked questions

Product Updates and Policy Wordings

Consumers Price Index (CPI)

NEW TO NEW ZEALAND

Vulnerable Customers Support

Investment Products

Complaints

Log in to MyAIA

Send us a message

Talk to an adviser

Chat with us

Call Us

Contact Us

Talk to an Adviser

Cancer Insurance

+ Expand All

- Collapse All

Talk to an Adviser

Do you want additional peace of mind?

Life Insurance

Trauma Insurance

Income Protection Insurance

Why choose AIA?

Start thriving with

AIA Vitality

92% Claims paid

in 2024

$829.6M

Paid

Financial Strength

Rating

AA

More about AIA Cancer Insurance

FAQs

+ Expand All

- Collapse All

+ Expand All

- Collapse All

Policy Wordings

Code of Conduct & Procedures