If you were in the UK you would get a PT appointment 6 months in the future and told to rest and take painkillers (which you buy yourself). Or you pay out of pocket for a private specialist to actually get help.
The situation in New Zealand is similar. There is an infinite demand for health services, so our public health system is busy, so you go on a waiting list. The UK and NZ spend about 10% of GDP each (~$4kUSD/capita).
The well-off pay for health insurance which will get you faster service, and the very well off just pay privately.
For more expensive procedures, some NZers travel to Asia to get medical procedures. The prices in Asia including flights and accomodation can be very affordable for the middle class, depending on what needs doing and how much risk you are willing to take.
robocat|3 years ago
The well-off pay for health insurance which will get you faster service, and the very well off just pay privately.
The first site I looked at for a private arthrogram was ~USD1050 (Single joint or region Arthrogram including Gadolinium) https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=mri+private+price+list+sit...
For more expensive procedures, some NZers travel to Asia to get medical procedures. The prices in Asia including flights and accomodation can be very affordable for the middle class, depending on what needs doing and how much risk you are willing to take.