'Everyday' policies attracting young consumers

The overall number of New Zealanders with health insurance rose in the quarter by 1000, to 1.333 million. But there was an increase of almost 3000 in the younger age group in the quarter.

Health Funds Association NZ chief executive Roger Styles welcomed the figures, saying the number of lives covered had been relatively static for the past five quarters.

He said this reflected the country’s economic stability and New Zealanders’ understanding that they would need to fund some of their future healthcare costs themselves.

Styles said the increase in the 25- to 35-year-old age bracket was possibly as a result of concentrated efforts by some insurers to attract a younger demographic with less expensive policies that provide cover for day-to-day health costs such as GP visits, physiotherapy, dental check-ups and glasses.