This policy ONLY applies to:
- All Resident Cook Islanders, Permanently Returning Cook Islanders and family. (with MFAI Passport Stamp), Permanent Resident Certificate holders; and Contract Expatriate Workers who have completed a minimum 6 months continuous employment in the Cook Islands;
- Who have been registered in the Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health (TMO) patient information system; and have been
- Approved under this criteria by the Secretary of Health (SOH) and the Patient Referral Committee including but not limited to specialist private referral, approved self-referral, or approved follow-up specialist treatments.
Note: Anyone who does not have New Zealand Citizenship and is a holder of a foreign Passport DOES NOT qualify for free health services in New Zealand. The patient will be liable for all medical, hospital and personal costs (accommodation, transport, pharmaceuticals, laboratory tests, meals, etc.) in New Zealand or in another country (the patient’s home country) to which the patient can be referred. TMO may fund a one-way or a return airfare from Rarotonga to another country at the discretion of the SOH.
This policy DOES NOT cover:
- Non-Cook Islanders on work permits or any other temporary permit holders working and residing in the Cook Islands and their children and/or relatives for a period of less than 6 months.
- Visitors and tourists to the Cook Islands; and
- Cook Islanders permanently residing overseas.
Patients in this category will be expected to cover ALL health care costs incurred.
