The healthcare authorities in New Zealand are concerned after the medical bills of many non-resident Indian patients still remain unaccounted for.
The Manukau District Health in Auckland alone has an outstanding balance of 1.7 million dollars that needs a clearance from around 300 Indian families.
To address the issue, the healthcare representatives held a meeting with the members of the Sikh community earlier this month in Auckland.
Keven Palmer, Business Manager at Counties Manukau District Health Board provided details of the outstanding debt accumulated from 295 non-resident Indian patients.
In a letter addressed to the Supreme Sikh Society NZ, Mr Palmer emphasised on raising community awareness and the importance of visitor and health insurance.
As a key message to the community, the statement reads – “The non-resident patient should always have comprehensive health insurance during their visit, including cover for pre-existing health conditions to avoid the risk of a health debt.”
Ex-MP and an elected Health Board member Ashraf Choudhary acts as a mediator between the community and the health authorities.
Summary statistics of non-residents with an outstanding health debt who identify as Indian ethnicity (Source - Manukau District Health, Auckland) Source: Supplied
Mr Choudhary told SBS that the growing medical debt of overseas patients is now a matter of concern for the health service providers.
“We’re not talking about one community in particular as there are many.... I don’t have the exact data but I can tell you that there are many families from Indian-subcontinent who need to clear their medical bills,” he said.
“No one wants to see those families in stress especially when some of them are going through financial hardship."
LISTEN TO
Lack of insurance results in huge medical debts for visiting Indian patients
SBS Punjabi
22/11/201809:42
Mr Choudhary said the authorities are also open to suggestions on how best ‘to avoid this situation’.
“They’re here to help as long as overseas patients understand their position and the importance of health insurance.”
“We want our community to come forward with their understanding to take up this matter positively and work closely with the health authorities.
Punjabi community representative Avtar Tehna knows at least three families who are struggling to pay their medical bills due to financial hardships.
“We need to address this matter at a community level. People should realise that we have got a different healthcare system back in India,” he said.
Mr Tehna said that to avoid medical debts overseas visitors must take health insurance coverage.
“If you’re a non-resident then you should take medical insurance. I wonder why they can’t see it as 100 to 150 dollar monthly payments can secure their future,” he adds. “There’re many families who have learnt it the hard way.... so just don’t ignore it.”
“I am proud to say that we've one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The hospitals don’t look at your pockets when they provide their services and I hope this continues for the years to come!”
SBS understands* that the Counties Manukau District Health Board is also in process of drafting a letter to the Department of Immigration suggesting the requirement for ‘compulsory insurance and the provision of more detailed information of sponsors’.
SBS Punjabi has contacted the Health Board for more details.
