Mental Health Cover NZ Health Insurance
Mental health cover under NZ private health insurance ranges from totally excluded (entry-level plans) to defined psychiatric hospitalisation benefits with real annual sublimits. The gap between plans is wider here than almost anywhere else.
Mental Health Cover NZ Health Insurance
Mental health cover under NZ health insurance ranges from entirely excluded (entry-level plans) to defined psychiatric hospitalisation benefits with annual sublimits. ADHD assessment, depression treatment, and behavioural-condition cover vary widely. This page compares each insurer's rules verbatim.
23 active retail products from 6 insurers
Looking for the topic comparison? /topics/mental-health-cover/ shows the cross-insurer breakdown for this topic on a single page.
How each insurer covers this
Each section below is verbatim from the insurer's current policy wording PDF. Where a product doesn't address this specifically, we show "Not on file" rather than guess.
Easy Health
Wording effective 2019-12-19 · confidence no data
No specific rule for this topic on file.
Source: https://www.nib.co.nz/Documents/Document/EasyHealthBrochure.pdf
Ultimate Health
Wording effective 2019-12-19 · confidence no data
No specific rule for this topic on file.
Source: https://www.nib.co.nz/Documents/Document/UltimateHealthBrochure.pdf
Ultimate Health Max
Wording effective 2018-12-23 · confidence no data
No specific rule for this topic on file.
Source: https://www.nib.co.nz/Documents/Document/UltimateHealthMaxPolicyDocument20170701.pdf
AA Health Everyday Cover
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
Not covered — psychiatric, psychological, behavioural, or developmental conditions (for example: depression, ADHD, and eating disorders) are explicitly excluded with no sublimit or benefit provided.
Related exclusions (1)
- psychiatric, psychological, behavioural, or developmental conditions (for example: depression, ADHD, and eating disorders)
AA Private Hospital Cover
Wording effective 2023-10-01 · confidence inferred
Psychiatric, psychological, behavioural, or developmental conditions (for example: depression, ADHD, and eating disorders) are excluded from cover. There is no inpatient mental health admission benefit under this policy.
Related exclusions (1)
- psychiatric, psychological, behavioural, or developmental conditions (for example: depression, ADHD, and eating disorders)
AA Private Hospital + Specialist Cover
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
Inpatient mental health admissions are not covered. Psychiatric, psychological, behavioural, or developmental conditions (for example: depression, ADHD, and eating disorders) are excluded under the general exclusions.
Related exclusions (1)
- psychiatric, psychological, behavioural, or developmental conditions (for example: depression, ADHD, and eating disorders)
Health Positive
Wording effective 2016-01-22 · confidence no data
No specific rule for this topic on file.
Hospital Select
Wording effective 2018-01-25 · confidence no data
No specific rule for this topic on file.
ParentStay
Wording effective 2025-10-01 · confidence inferred
The Mental Health benefit covers up to $1,000 for each Member each policy year for reasonable charges for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor. They must be registered either under the psychiatry scope with the Medical Council of New Zealand, as a psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board, as a psychotherapist with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand, or as a counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors or other relevant health professional association. Psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders are listed as a general exclusion and are not covered, including ADHD, geriatric care, pre-senile dementia, and senile illnesses including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Inpatient mental health admissions are not specifically provided for as a separate benefit.
Related exclusions (1)
- Psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), geriatric care including geriatric hospitalisation, pre-senile dementia, senile illnesses including dementia and Alzheimer's disease
Source: https://www.unimed.co.nz/assets/PlansAndDocs/Health-Plans/ParentStay-Health-Plan-2025.pdf
UniCare Advantage
Wording effective 2025-08-01 · confidence low
Psychiatric Hospitalisation in a Licensed Private Hospital on admission and under the care of a Specialist Psychiatrist. Refund of Hospital Accommodation Fees and ancillary hospital charges up to $3,500 per policy year. Under the Loyalty Benefits (after five years' continuous membership), consultations with a vocationally registered psychiatrist in New Zealand are covered at $150 per visit up to three visits per policy year.
Relevant sublimits (NZD)
- psychiatric hospitalisation $3,500
Source: https://www.unimed.co.nz/assets/PlansAndDocs/Health-Plans/UniCare_Advantage_Plan.pdf
KidSmart
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
The mental health benefit provides $1,000 per child per policy year for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor; no excess applies. Providers must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (psychiatry scope), New Zealand Psychologists Board, Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand, or New Zealand Association of Counsellors or other relevant association. Treatment or counselling for psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders (including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, intellectual disability, motor disorders, dementia, and specific learning disorders) is explicitly excluded under the general exclusions. There is no specific inpatient mental health admission benefit described.
Related exclusions (1)
- intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder)
SmartCare
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
The mental health benefit provides $1,000 per person per policy year for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor. No excess applies to this benefit. Providers must be registered under the psychiatry scope with the Medical Council of New Zealand, as a psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board, as a psychotherapist with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand, or as a counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors or other relevant association. The policy does not cover treatment or counselling for psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders as listed under the general exclusions (including but not limited to ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, intellectual disability, motor disorders, dementia). There is no specific inpatient mental health admission benefit; the general exclusion for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders applies.
Waiting period
- mental health: 0 days
Related exclusions (1)
- intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder)
SmartCare+
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
The mental health benefit under the Hospital and Surgical+ base plan covers $1,000 per person per policy year for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, or counsellor (no excess applies). Practitioners must be registered under the psychiatry scope with the Medical Council of New Zealand, as a psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board, as a psychotherapist with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand, or as a counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors or other relevant association. Psychiatric, psychological, and neurodevelopmental disorders are generally excluded from cover (including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dementia, etc.). There is no specific inpatient mental health admission benefit described; the exclusion of psychiatric/psychological disorders applies broadly.
Related exclusions (1)
- Treatment for psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders including but not limited to attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, geriatric care including geriatric hospitalisation, intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder), motor disorders (including but not limited to Tourette's disorder), pre-senile dementia, senile illness or dementia, specific learning disorders
SmartStay
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
The private and public hospital medical admission benefit explicitly does not cover admission for mental health, psychiatric or psychological treatment or counselling. The Mental Health benefit provides $1,000 per person per policy year (no excess applies) for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor who are appropriately registered. The Specialist module also includes a separate mental health consultations benefit of $1,000 per person per policy year. General exclusions exclude treatment or counselling for any psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Waiting period
- mental health: 0 days
Related exclusions (2)
- intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder)
- admission for convalescence, recovery, respite care, geriatric or senile care, obstetrics, mental health, psychiatric or psychological treatment or counselling, or recurrent health conditions
StaffCare
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence verified
The mental health benefit covers $1,000 per person per policy year (no excess applies) for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor who is registered with the relevant professional body. Inpatient or hospital admission for mental health, psychiatric or psychological treatment or counselling is explicitly excluded under the private hospital medical admission benefit. Treatment or counselling for any psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders is also listed as a general exclusion.
Related exclusions (2)
- intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder)
- Admission for convalescence, recovery, respite care, geriatric or senile care, obstetrics, mental health, psychiatric or psychological treatment or counselling, or recurrent health conditions (under private hospital medical admission benefit)
StaffCare+
Wording effective 2026-05-16 · confidence inferred
The mental health benefit under the Hospital and Surgical+ base plan covers the costs of Reasonable charges for consultations with a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor up to $1,000 for each person in a policy year; no excess applies. Providers must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (psychiatry scope), New Zealand Psychologists Board, Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand, or the New Zealand Association of Counsellors or other relevant association. Separately, the Specialist+ module includes a mental health consultations sub-benefit of $1,000 per person per policy year within the specialist consultations benefit. Psychiatric, psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders are listed as a general exclusion and treatment or counselling for these conditions is not covered (including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, geriatric care, intellectual disability, motor disorders, pre-senile dementia, senile illness or dementia, and specific learning disorders). There is no explicit inpatient mental health admission benefit described.
Related exclusions (1)
- intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder)
KiwiCare
Wording effective 2026-04-01 · confidence verified
Psychiatric hospitalisation benefit provides cover for admission and care by a specialist who is vocationally registered in psychiatry in an approved facility. We'll cover 80% of the actual charges incurred for psychiatric admission and care, to a maximum of $2,250 each claims year. Sub-limits apply: up to $450 for each night or day-stay in hospital accommodation; up to $160 each claims year for ancillary hospital charges. No excess applies to this benefit. Psychiatrist consultations are covered separately up to $600 each claims year at 80% of actual charges.
Relevant sublimits (NZD)
- psychiatric hospitalisation $2,250
- psychiatric hospitalisation per night $450
- psychiatric hospitalisation ancillary $160
- psychiatrist consultation $600
Related exclusions (2)
- Healthcare services provided for the diagnosis, management, or treatment of developmental or congenital abnormalities of the facial skeleton and associated structures
- Healthcare services for mental health except for Psychiatrist consultation, Psychiatric hospitalisation, and Day-to-day treatment benefits
RegularCare
Wording effective 2026-04-01 · confidence verified
Cover for psychiatric hospitalisation is $2,250 each claims year. This covers admission and care by a specialist who is vocationally registered in psychiatry in an approved facility. Sub-limits apply: up to $450 for each night or day-stay in hospital accommodation, and up to $160 each claims year for ancillary hospital charges. No excess applies to this benefit. Mental health healthcare services are otherwise excluded except for psychiatrist consultations ($600 each claims year) and, for RegularCare plan holders, the Day-to-day treatment benefit.
Relevant sublimits (NZD)
- psychiatric hospitalisation $2,250
- psychiatric hospitalisation ancillary $160
- psychiatrist consultation $600
Related exclusions (2)
- Healthcare services provided for the diagnosis, management, or treatment of developmental or congenital abnormalities of the facial skeleton and associated structures
- Healthcare services for mental health, except for what we cover under the 'Psychiatrist consultation' benefit, the 'Psychiatric hospitalisation' benefit, and the 'Day-to-day treatment' benefit if you have the RegularCare plan
UltraCare
Wording effective 2026-04-01 · confidence inferred
Psychiatric hospitalisation is covered up to $3,500 each claims year. This requires admission and care by a specialist who is vocationally registered in psychiatry in an approved facility. Sub-limits apply: up to $700 for each night or day-stay in hospital accommodation; up to $200 each claims year for ancillary hospital charges. Reasonable charges apply. Mental health consultations (with a psychiatrist vocationally registered in psychiatry, or a psychologist registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board) are covered up to $1,500 each claims year. General mental health costs are otherwise excluded except as covered under the Mental health consultations benefit, Psychiatric hospitalisation benefit, and Day-to-day treatment benefit.
Relevant sublimits (NZD)
- psychiatric hospitalisation $3,500
- psychiatric hospitalisation per night $700
- psychiatric hospitalisation ancillary $200
Related exclusions (2)
- Healthcare services for the diagnosis, management, or treatment of developmental or congenital abnormalities of the facial skeleton and associated structures
- Healthcare services for mental health (except Mental health consultations, Psychiatric hospitalisation, and Day-to-day treatment benefits)
Wellbeing Modules
Wording effective 2026-04-01 · confidence low
No specific rule for this topic on file.
Wellbeing One
Wording effective 2026-04-01 · confidence inferred
Psychiatric hospitalisation is covered up to $3,500 each claims year for admission and care by a specialist who is vocationally registered in psychiatry in an approved facility. Sub-limits apply: up to $700 for each night or day-stay in hospital accommodation, and up to $200 each claims year for ancillary hospital charges. Reasonable charges are covered. No excess applies to this benefit. Psychiatrist consultations are covered separately up to $750 each claims year (reasonable charges, no excess).
Relevant sublimits (NZD)
- psychiatric hospitalisation $3,500
- psychiatric hospitalisation ancillary $200
- psychiatrist consultation $750
Wellbeing Two
Wording effective 2026-04-01 · confidence inferred
The 'Psychiatric hospitalisation' benefit provides cover for admission and care by a specialist who is vocationally registered in psychiatry in an approved facility. Cover is up to $3,500 each claims year, including sub-limits of up to $700 for each night or day-stay in hospital accommodation and up to $200 each claims year for ancillary hospital charges. We'll cover the reasonable charges incurred. No excess applies to this benefit. Psychiatrist consultations (outpatient) are covered under a separate benefit up to $750 each claims year.
Relevant sublimits (NZD)
- psychiatric hospitalisation $3,500
- psychiatric hospitalisation per night $700
- psychiatric hospitalisation ancillary $200
- psychiatrist consultation $750
AIA Private Health
Wording effective 2025-08-05 · confidence no data
No specific rule for this topic on file.
Machine-readable API for this page
GET /api/topic/mental-health-cover/summary.md— same content as MarkdownPOST /mcpwith toolget_topic_comparison(mental-health-cover)- Per-product:
/api/product/{insurer}/{product}/facts.json
Get a quote covering mental health
Compare NZ health insurers and get a personalised quote for cover relevant to your situation.
Get Quotes