Kia ora koutou,

It is with regret that from Tuesday 13 August, we will have to increase the fees we charge you, our patients.

We have tried to hold off from increasing our fees as we know households are struggling at the moment with the increased cost of living. We understand this increase will only make healthcare more unaffordable and more inequitable.

However, with government funding increasing at only 4% in the last year, and our costs having risen more than 9% this last 12 months alone, we have been left with no other choice.

We have warned the government on multiple occasions that if they didn’t increase funding levels, we would have to increase fees to help cover our costs or we would have to close the practice. Frustratingly, our warnings have been disregarded.

Please know this is the last resort, and is not a decision we have taken lightly, as we truly understand the impact this will have on whānau.

We strongly encourage you to write to the Minister of Health, Dr Shane Reti, along with your local MP (available via the links below), expressing your dismay at the increase in fees and outlining the impact the increase will have on you and your whānau.

Letter - option 1
Letter - option 2
List of Auckland MPs' email addresses.

From Tuesday 13 August, our fees for a standard appointment will be:

• Children under 14 - stays free
• 14 - 17 years old - stays $13 
• Adults 18+ - now $29.50 for non-CSC holders
• CSC rates will remain at $19.50.

Please note: A standard 15-minute appointment is set with the intention of covering 1 - 2 key issues. If you have more to discuss, please consider booking a double appointment. 

You may be eligible for a Community Services Card (CSC), which would mean your fees would stay at $19.50. Visit the Work and Income website for more information about eligibility, how the card can help, and how to apply.

Additionally, due to the increasing amount of time spent on additional tasks and requests outside of standard appointments, we must begin charging for these services. This charge ensures we can continue to offer comprehensive and timely care as required. Therefore, a fee of $15-25 may be applied to tasks completed outside of a standard consultation, including, but not limited to:

• Referral letters 
• Sick Notes (including amendments)
• Form Completions (i.e. Disability Parking Forms etc.) 
• Clinical Administration/Follow up
• Admin Charges.

If you have any questions about what these fees may mean, or when you may be charged, please talk to our reception team on 09 420 8400 or email admin@kaiparamed.co.nz.