Health insurers Southern Cross and nib are reassuring customers worried about adverse reactions to the Covid-19 jab.
A spokesperson for nib says there may be some coverage under a member’s private health cover for non-acute medical conditions that develop over time as a result of an adverse reaction to the vaccine – unless exclusions apply.
“However, health cover policies largely exclude allergies or allergic disorders,” says a nib spokesperson. “The public system will treat injuries or adverse reactions that are acute. As always we encourage members to contact us if they have any questions about their health cover.”
Dr Stephen Child, chief medical officer for Southern Cross Health Insurance, says the insurer follows the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Medsafe on the management of Covid-19, and the use of any vaccinations.
“We would like to reassure our health insurance and life insurance policyholders that their policies will continue in the usual way and in no way be impacted if they receive a MedSafe approved Covid-19 vaccine,” says Dr Child.
“In New Zealand, acute care is provided by the public health system so if treatment is needed urgently after receiving a vaccine, people should go directly to the accident and emergency unit at their nearest public hospital.”
Dr Child says the public ACC system provides treatment and support to people if they have an adverse reaction to any vaccine if their criteria for treatment injury is met.
“This is why vaccine-related treatment injury is a standard exclusion in our health insurance plans,” he says.
“Therefore, as is current practice, if you develop symptoms from the Covid-19 vaccine or any other Medsafe approved vaccine and require treatment, you can lodge a claim with ACC.”