Frequently asked questions

Will I see a registered medical professional in my consultation?

Yes, you will.  All Unifyhealth GPs are based in New Zealand. Importantly, they’re experienced, and licensed medical practitioners, registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

Unifyhealth is a New Zealand company and they’re proud to support local GPs. 

Is my usual GP signed up to Unifyhealth?

Any GP registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners can provide their services to Unifyhealth as a provider of medical consultations. They can also use Unifyhealth to provide virtual and after-hours care for their practice.

If your GP is not part of Unifyhealth feel free to mention us to them – we’d love to have them on board!

Will my regular GP be informed about my Unifyhealth consultation?

The decision is yours.

• If the Unifyhealth GP you see isn’t your usual GP you’ll be asked for permission to send a copy of your consultation notes to your usual GP

• If you want the notes shared with your GP, you simply need to provide the name of your GP or health clinic.

• If you don’t want the notes shared with your GP, you may decline giving permission and your consultation notes will not be passed on

• Unifyhealth prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies in some regions of New Zealand, particularly in the Auckland region, are visible by others involved in your care. You’ll need to discuss this with the pharmacy if you would like this information withheld.

I have GP visits on my health insurance plan, how do I claim for this?

Unifyhealth is a booking service for all Kiwis, it doesn’t matter which health insurer you’re with. At the end of the consultation, you’ll be provided with a receipt which you can use to claim the same way you do now if you have GP cover.

It may pay to check what you’re covered for with your health insurer.

Can I use it for my children?

Yes, you can use Unifyhealth to book for a child if you’re their parent or legal guardian, but if they’re 15 or under you’ll be required to attend their virtual consultation.

How much does it cost?

Unifyhealth practice’s set consultation rates which include enrolled patient pricing and discounts for Community Service Card holders. When your usual GP is closed or having difficulty finding an appointment there may be additional discounts available.  To check the consultation rate of the practice you are booking select the practice tab next to the appointment tab, or if booking with the virtual provider CareHQ, you will see pricing after clicking the orange CareHQ button.

What does casual vs enrolled mean?

In NZ, GPs receive government funding for enrolled patients, so appointments are cheaper and children under 14 are free where you're enrolled. 

You can only also be enrolled with one GP practice at a time, but you can visit any GP practice as a casual patient. You will usually be charged a higher fee if you visit a doctor where you are not enrolled, i.e. as a ‘casual’ patient. 

If you are enrolled with a GP practice which belongs to a Unifyhealth network you will be charged as an enrolled patient if you visit another practice in the same network. This means that there will be a broader range of appointment types and times to suit your needs and you can stay enrolled with your own GP.

Eligibility 
Generally, only NZ citizens or residents can enrol, but anyone can see a doctor as a ‘casual’ patient. Full criteria for enrolment can be found here.

Community Services Card
You must be enrolled with a GP to access Community Service Card holder pricing.
Learn more about how to get a Community Services Card if you are eligible.

Can I cancel or change my appointment?

Yes, you can cancel or change your appointment.

For a future booking:

You’ll receive four notifications of your appointment:

1. your booking confirmation (email and SMS / text confirmation)

2. confirmation (email and SMS / text) six hours before your appointment including a link for your consultation and

3. a final reminder confirmation (email and SMS / text) 15 minutes before your appointment including a link for your consultation.

Subject to the below, you can change or cancel your consultation using the links at any of these times.

You’ll be entitled to receive a full refund if you cancel your booking six hours or more before your consultation time. If you wish to reschedule your booking to an alternative time, you will need to cancel your booking six hours or more before your consultation time and then re-book a new appointment.

 You’ll be charged the full consultation fee if:

• You cancel your booking within six hours of your consultation time

• You don’t turn up for any of your booked consultation time

See our Cancellation Policy for more details. If you believe you are entitled to a refund, please contact us at admin@Unifyhealth.co.nz

How do I pay?

Paying for your consultation is really straightforward:

For virtual consultations, we’ll ask for your payment card details through a secure payment process when you book your consultation. We accept bank debit cards and credit cards (VISA, MasterCard).

You’ll only be charged when your consultation is successfully completed.

For in-person consultations, you’ll be asked to pay at the time of your consultation.

When will I be charged for the consultation?

Your payment card will only be charged once you’ve successfully completed your consultation.

 Your receipt will be emailed to you after your consultation. 

You will be entitled to receive a full refund if you have made a future booking and cancel your booking six hours or more before your consultation time.

You’ll be charged the full consultation fee if:

• You cancel your booking within six hours of your consultation time.

• You don’t turn up for any of your booked consultation time.