What does my confirmation certificate tell me?

Your replacement annual confirmation certificate shows the total premium for the year, with a clear breakdown of how much is at the old rate and how much is at the new rate 

Why is the new amount lower than the old amount?

Because the increase takes effect partway through the year (from 4 November 2025), your certificate shows 4 months at the old premium and 8 months at the new premium. This is why your ‘annual total’ may appear lower than last year’s certificate.

Where do I find my fortnightly deductions?

Your fortnightly deductions can be found within your Health Plan Portal under ‘Instalment Plan’.

If you need help navigating the portal, please see our video guides here.

Log into the Health Plan Portal

What is my new premium?

You can see your total annual premium on your confirmation certificate under the Health Plan Portal. Your instalment plan in the portal details each fortnightly deduction. At the time of renewal, this will display your current policy premiums and future premiums beginning 4 November 2025. 

When do premiums take effect?

Your current and future policies will roll over during the payment run on 4 November 2025. 

The final payment of your old 2025 -2026 rates will occur in instalment#9 on 21 October 2025. Instalment#10, which occurs on 4 November 2025, will automatically be adjusted to your new premium rate. This will also update your future instalments #11 – #27 until the policy renewal on 1 July 2026.

Why do premiums need to go up, especially when Police pay rises are currently uncertain?

The Police Health Plan is not for profit, but we must collect enough premiums to offset the cost of claims. If the cost of claims outweighs the premiums we collect, we have no choice but to pass on these costs. If we do not, we risk the future stability and viability of the PHP.

Why so many increases to premiums?

We understand that frequent increases can feel frustrating, especially when household budgets are already under pressure. Unfortunately, there are several factors driving the need for regular premium reviews across the entire health insurance sector:

• More people relying on private care: With ongoing strain on New Zealand’s public health system, more people are turning to private hospitals and the Police Health Plan to get timely treatment. This means the total number of claims we are receiving has risen significantly.
• Rising cost of surgery: The cost of surgical procedures has increased sharply in recent years. Even common operations such as joint replacements, cardiac procedures, and cancer treatments are more expensive than ever before. These costs are passed directly through to the premiums we collect.
• Delays in applying past increases: Over the last three years, we deliberately held back on passing the full impact of claim inflation onto members. This meant members were shielded from some of the rising costs during a difficult economic period. However, we now need to recover these costs to keep the Plan sustainable.
• Building financial reserves: Like any insurer, we must maintain enough in reserve to cover at least six months of expected claims. This buffer protects members if costs rise suddenly, ensuring that we can always pay claims when you need us most. We currently hold below six months in reserve so must build that back up.

Looking ahead, our goal is to make increases smaller and more regular, so changes are more manageable for members. By reviewing premiums more often, we can respond more quickly to shifts in claim costs and avoid large jumps in the future.

How are increases calculated? 

The premiums reflect the actual cost of providing healthcare cover to people in each age group across our membership. Premiums reflect the actual cost of providing healthcare for people in each age group. This means younger members generally pay less, while older members, who are more likely to need surgery, pay more.

How much is the cost of the new Health Plan Portal contributing to this premium increase?

The new system that members use to submit claims has very little impact on these new premiums as the investment in that system occurred in years 2022 – early 2024. The ongoing cost of the new system accounts for less than 1% of the premiums that we collect annually.

 
The main driver of the increase has been the rise in the number of surgical claims. PHP pays meticulous attention to its expenses, and this extends to our new policy administration system. The capital costs to build the system are spread over the life of the system, and we expect to make significant efficiency gains from the new streamlined processes.

Will there be another increase in the year?

Yes. We will be reviewing premiums again in March 2026 and July 2026. We plan on reviewing premiums more often so that we can respond faster to changes in our claims costs and lessen the impact of these increases over time. 

I have never made a claim. Why are my premiums increasing?

While it may feel unfair, insurance is about pooling risk. By paying in now, you’re protecting yourself if you need treatment in the future.

Why not just increase premiums for new members?

Costs and the number of claims has increased for everyone, including our existing members, and we need to collect enough premiums to pay everyone’s claims. 

Will you be putting my premium up again?

We only increase premiums to offset the cost of claims. If claim costs rise, we must review premiums. Our focus is on providing a cost-effective solution for members. In the past we reviewed premiums annually. However, as the pace of change in inflation has increased, we have been forced, along with all other health insurers, to respond more frequently to these increases in claims costs.

Someone else pays for my premiums. Why did I get a letter?

For privacy reasons, all renewal letters are sent to the primary member (the policy owner). If someone else pays your premium, please make sure you share this information with them.

What if I cannot afford it any longer?

We understand rising costs can be difficult. If you’re finding your plan unaffordable, there are a few options to help lower your premium:

• Review your plan type: If you’re on the Plus or Basic plan, you can consider moving to a lower-cost option such as the Basic or Surgical plan.
• Add an excess: If you don’t currently have an excess, you can lower your premium by choosing to pay the first $500, $1,000, or $5,000 of any surgical claim. This reduces your ongoing cost while keeping your surgical cover in place. The excess applies only to surgical procedures, not to day-to-day primary medical care on the Plus or Basic Plan.

Downgrading or adjusting your cover is a personal decision, and our team can guide you through the options. We can also connect you with our financial advisors if you’d like extra support to understand the impact of any changes.

Our premium rates start from as little as $8.40 per fortnight ($219.13 annually) on the Surgical plan. Please keep in mind that reducing your cover means you’ll need to fund a greater share of your medical costs yourself.

What do excess options mean?

An excess is a voluntary amount you agree to pay towards each surgical claim. For example, if you select a $500, $1,000, or $5,000 excess, that amount will be deducted from each surgical claim before the Health Plan contributes.

Choosing an excess lets you keep your current plan but pay a lower premium. The excess applies only to surgical procedures, not to day-to-day primary medical care on the Plus or Basic Plan.

If I choose to take an excess option, when is it applied?

The excess applies from the date the related lower premium is paid.

Are we planning a higher excess option for a cheaper premium?

Not at this stage. A $5000 excess already effectively excludes many smaller procedures from the plan. Historically, we have not had many members take this option up. If we get demand from our members for a higher excess as an option, then we would consider it.

How do I change to an excess option?

To downgrade your plan, you can email insurances@policeassn.org.nz or we can take your request over the phone.

If I choose to have an excess now, can I elect a lower or no-excess option later?

Yes. You will need to complete a policy amendment form. Note that there is a standdown period and we may include additional conditions or exclusions to your policy.

I am retired and want to stay in the Welfare Fund. Do I have to stay with PHP?

If you are over 65 and retired, you may be eligible for an exemption. Contact us to find out. Retired membership options can be viewed on our website.

I have health insurance elsewhere. Do I have to stay with PHP?

If you have health insurance from another provider in New Zealand, you may be eligible for an exemption. Contact us to find out. 

Can I switch plans at any time, or only at renewal?
You can request a change to your plan or excess at any time during the year. Changes will take effect from your next premium payment date.

What happens if I downgrade my plan and later want to upgrade again?
You can apply to upgrade your cover, but this may require you to complete a health declaration. Additional conditions or stand-down periods may apply depending on your medical history.

Do my dependants have to be on the same plan as me?
No, dependants (e.g., your partner or children) can be on a different level of cover from the main policyholder. Contact us to discuss the options for your family.

How do I pay my premiums?
Premiums are deducted automatically from your Police pay, Direct Debit or through your Police Credit Union bank account. If you have an automatic payment set up to pay through your Police Credit Union account, please check to see that there will be sufficient funds otherwise you may enter into arrears. You can view all deductions in your Health Plan Portal.

What happens if I miss a premium payment?
If a payment is missed, your cover may be temporarily suspended until the outstanding premium is paid. It’s important to get in touch with us as soon as possible so your cover isn’t interrupted.

What if I want to cancel my Health Plan membership?
You can cancel your policy by contacting us directly. Keep in mind that once you cancel, you may not be able to re-join on the same terms, and new health declarations or exclusions may apply.

Does my premium change when I get older?
Yes. Premiums are based on the claims cost of members sitting in your age band. As you move into a new age bracket, your premium may increase to reflect the higher cost of healthcare at that stage of life.

Who can I contact if I want independent financial advice?
We can connect you with a financial advisor who understands the Health Plan and can help you decide what cover is right for you and your family.