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Unlimited Online GP Consults with CareHQ @ Southern Cross (Requires Southern Cross Membership)

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Access to unlimited online GP consults with CareHQ

Peace of mind for you and your family. Your membership includes fast and easy access to a doctor, 7am-7pm, 7 days a week.

Here's how:

  • Book using your My Southern Cross app
  • Each adult 16 years and older on your policy must book using their own login in the My Southern Cross app
  • Only the policyholder can make a booking through the app for dependent children on the policy
  • If you don't already have the My Southern Cross app, find out how to download the app for free here

CareHQ provides New Zealanders with easy access to an experienced, New Zealand registered GP, 7 days a week, 7am – 7pm. CareHQ is designed to support your enrolled practice and not replace it, so if you have a CareHQ consultation, you can still return to your normal GP for your ongoing care. All the doctors at CareHQ are Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

These and other great benefits are made possible at Southern Cross because we’re a not-for-profit Friendly Society. Southern Cross Health Insurance doesn't have shareholders, we have members. Every decision we make puts your health and wellbeing first, including benefits like these being made available as part of your membership - until further notice.

These Benefits are provided pursuant to a Deed Poll dated 18 October 2022 (published on our website on 24 October 2022).

Related Stores

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closed Comments

  • What was it prior to unlimited? (I guess before October 24, 2022).

    • To be honest, not really sure how much.
      But for non-members, the cost is $69.95 inc. GST (https://www.carehq.co.nz/#pricing)

    • From memory, you could use it 3 times per member.

      • I’ve used it like once a month since it came into effect mid last year. Never got charged even after 3 consults.

        • I think the mental health one was 3 consults. The CareHQ was unlimited but it was for a set period but they kept extending it and now haven't got an end date.

  • I think this just swayed me and my partner to sign up to their cheapest plan (works out to be just under $60 a month for the both of us). Considering my GP has upped their patient consults to $70 per session; this (CareHQ) could be useful.

  • +2

    Unfortunately not a complete substitute for GP - they prefer you go to your regular GP for ongoing prescriptions.

    • +1

      So what is the point for carehq?

      • I think it's quite useful as a backup for when you can't get into your regular GP urgently - because they're too full, or the hours aren't suitable etc. The last time we used this my wife got a consult at 6pm which was nice. Although the program didn't work properly so the GP just ended up calling via his mobile, and he also only sent half the prescription.

        Still was better than nothing, and was much better than queuing up at White Cross for 3 hours.

        • Considering the price I'd say it's more use as a first point of call for any minor ailments you aren't too worried about or keep putting off booking an appointment hoping it will heal itself. A free convenient consultation will help you know if you should see a specialist, your own gp in person or just take pain killers and wait for it to heal.

          They probably have a lot of minor ignored things get big and expensive to treat so making this free front foots that before they become a big problem.

          • @Everettpsycho: so its not free aye, the "flat fee" is it a one time or per consultation?

            • @kevinh89: Nah I'm pretty sure it's free for Southern Cross members. We didn't pay anything the last time we used this.

              It could be that our policy does cover GP appointments anyway, but this sounds like it should be free across the board.

              • @cryptika: Ah, ok, so I can just download the app and get going, gotcha, thanks.

  • +1

    Possibly a dumb question, but could you use this for getting a prescription that would usually require a GP Appointment?

    • +3

      On their FAQ page (https://www.carehq.co.nz/more-faqs.html)

      Can I order my prescription through CareHQ

      Yes! That’s just one of the reasons why CareHQ is so convenient. At your GP consultation we will send your prescription to your preferred pharmacy.

      There may be some circumstances when we are unable to provide a prescription for a medication in a virtual consultation due to New Zealand regulations.

      If you’re overseas your CareHQ GP will be able to have a consultation with you though they are only able to provide prescriptions within New Zealand. A prescription can be sent to your preferred pharmacy for you to collect when you’re back in New Zealand.

      • Thanks, should have checked

      • Im with southern cross, but I dont fully understand if I have to pay the CareHQ "flat fee" or not. Also, is it a one time fee or per consultation?

        Thanks.

        • +1

          From my understanding, there is no flat fee. It is free for any Southern Cross members

        • We are on Southern Cross's wellbeing 2 plan (the old hospital and specialist only plan), so checked with southern cross about it, this is their reply:

          Thank you for contacting us regarding our Benefits of Membership.

          Access to unlimited online GP consults with CareHQ

          There is no charge to our southern cross members for these sessions.

          Peace of mind for you and your family. Your membership includes fast and easy access to a doctor, 7am-7pm, 7 days a week.

          Here's how:

          · Book using your My Southern Cross app

          · Each adult 16 years and older on your policy must book using their own login in the My Southern Cross app

          · Only the policyholder can make a booking through the app for dependent children on the policy

          · If you don't already have the My Southern Cross app, find out how to download the app for free here

          CareHQ provides New Zealanders with easy access to an experienced, New Zealand registered GP, 7 days a week, 7am – 7pm. CareHQ is designed to support your enrolled practice and not replace it, so if you have a CareHQ consultation, you can still return to your normal GP for your ongoing care. All the doctors at CareHQ are Fellows of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

          • +1

            @Kate1: That is awesome, Im on wellbeing 2 too. Thank you so much.

  • Per Year:

    Unlimited online GP consults with CareHQ (looks like have to download app to book)

    1x Annual health check with MedPro

    3x online mental health sessions - to see a counsellor (individual or couples) or wellbeing coach.

    Paraphrased from https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/for-members/benefits

  • So I will still stay enrolled with my current local GP? (i.e. for funding purposes) but can use these guys for repeat scripts and small things?

    • Why not just use something like Bettr.co.nz for this. Cost $19 for a online appt. Easy as, they send prescription to pharmacy of your choice. Done within 10-15 mins. Never need to wait

      • Every time my family has tried to use Bettr there were no appointments available.

      • You have to enrol with Bettr to get the $19 price.

        • as you would with southern cross no diff. sign up takes a few minutes.

  • +1

    Tried this once, couldnt get an appointment.

    • What you mean? I tried it yesterday and I had like 4 slots available to choose from. Sorry, I had 4 days and the day I picked had liks 10 time slots, all very short but I didnt mind that.

      • That's great! When I needed it at the time there was nothing availanle for like 2 days so i ended up going to my regular GP

        • +1

          Oh, yeah, non of them days were same day or next day. As matter fact, Im checking right now as I type this and the next date available is Monday 30 with, at least, 25 available time slots. If you in a rush, yeah, your GP might accomodate you quickly, specially if long time family doctor, but, in my case (I been in NZ for six years only so no family doctor), Im more keen on saving 50 dollars and the petrol money. Also, I dont have to queue in a place full of sick ppl if my issue can be sorted through a phone/video call, plus, my GP is never on time, always calls me in at least 20 minutes late.

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