Recently, a report was released by the country's largest not-for-profit health insurance provider, Southern Cross, and it suggest that 25% of the Kiwis just delay an action against a health problem before they get insurance cover.

Another crucial point highlighted by the report suggests that 24% of the adult population on individual health insurance policies have one or more pre-existing medical condition listed.

Though medical insurance schemes generally exclude pre-existing conditions but Southern Cross CEO Peter Tynan believes that these findings conclude that the symptoms of the condition existed prior to signing up for health insurance.

In the wake of increased surgical claims to $483m in 2010 from $356m in 2007, Tynan said that the chances of requiring expensive surgical treatment with age were high as one out of three elderly people claimed for elective surgery last year.

In addition, he stated, “Without the means to access private treatment, your capacity to work, travel, care for your family or participate in activities could be significantly diminished while you wait. If waiting isn't an option, the bills can quickly run into the tens of thousands”.