More than one-third of adults (35%) and 28% of children were covered by PHI. PHI coverage was highest for the age groups between 35 and 64 years (35–44 years, 41%; 45–54 years, 42%; 55–64 years, 41%) and lowest for those aged 75 years and over (16%). Māori and Pacific people were less likely to report having PHI cover than non-Māori and non-Pacific people, respectively, after adjusting for age and sex differences. After examining a range of demographic and socioeconomic factors, household income was found to have the strongest association with PHI coverage. There was variation in PHI coverage for adults between district health boards (DHBs), with highest coverage in Auckland (45%), Waitemata (43%), and Canterbury (40%). The proportion of adults with PHI coverage has decreased from 40% in 1996/97 to 35% in 2011–15. For children, coverage has decreased from 31% in 1996/97 to 28% in 2012–15. Most adults (79%) with PHI cover report that they either pay for the PHI themselves or it is paid by a family member (Ministry of Health, 2016).

References:

Ministry of Health. (2016). Private Health Insurance Coverage 2011–15: New Zealand Health Survey. Ministry of Health website. Available from: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/private-health-insurance-coverage-2011-15-new-zealand-health-survey.