Marram - A legacy of care

Telephone: (04) 801 2920

Healthcare Benefits

Benefit Description Percentage Paid Maximum Payment Notes
GP consultation fees Consultation with a registered medical practitioner. 60% $50 per visit Excludes:
  • Immigration checks
  • Comprehensive medical check ups
  • Family planning clinic visits
  • Contraception/sterilisation
  • Fertility treatment
  • Laser red vein treatment  
  • Most elective vaccinations
  • Anti-smoking treatment
  • Report
Prescription charges Prescriptions by a registered medical practitioner. 60% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Online/overseas drug purchases
  • Weight control drugs
  • Sexual enhancement drugs
  • Elective drugs
  • Sterilisation/contraception drugs
  • Anti-smoking drugs
  • Food and dietary supplements
  • Dental prescriptions
  • Medications purchased from a medical centre
  • Natural remedies
  • Over the counter drug purchases.
Specialists Consultation and treatment with a registered medical specialist as shown on the Medical Council of New Zealand 75% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Cosmetic treatment and surgery
  • Elective treatment and surgery
  • Sterilisation
  • Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon
  • Report writing
X-ray Cost of x-rays. 60% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Dental and chiropractic x-rays.
Scan costs Cost of MRIs, CAT scans, Molemaps, Mammograms and ultrasounds. 75% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Nuchal translucency measurement scan
  • Maternity serum scans.
Travel expenses If you require treatment that is approved treatment and is not available in your home town, such as a specialist's appointment or a hospital admission, you are eligible for travel costs. There is a flat rate of $30 per trip. $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Conditions:
  • Claims will only be considered if the treatment is not available in your own hometown and the traveling distance exceeds 100kms return
  • This benefit is only for the patient receiving the treatment.
Minor surgery fees Cost of a minor operation if performed by a registered medical practitioner e.g. skin excisions, liquid nitrogen treatments, etc. 60% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Vasectomies
  • Elective Surgery
Alternative therapists Consultation fees for: osteopath, chiropractor, naturopath, dietician/nutritionist, audiologist, homeopath, psychologist, podiatrist, acupuncturist, iridologist, therapeutic massage, Chinese medicine. N/A up to $20 per visit to a maximum of 10 visits per family per calendar year Excludes:
  • Herbal/natural remedies
  • Ointments
  • Therapists accessories
  • X-rays performed by a chiropractor.
Hospital costs Costs for treatment and stay at a hospital.

75% - Specialist fees

75% - Anaesthetist fees

60% - Hospital Charges

100% - Television Hire

60% – Hospital and Bed Charges ($120 max per day)

 $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Guest meals
  • Telephone accounts
  • Visitor's travel expenses.
Laboratory costs Costs for laboratory analysis. 60% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Administration charges
  • Immigration tests
  • Elective heavy metals (hair and blood) tests.
Physiotherapy costs Costs for physiotherapy treatment. 60% Excludes:
  • Gels and ointments
  • Neck rolls
  • Tape
  • Incidental materials.
Surgical appliance costs Cost of personal medical equipment and prosthetics. 100% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period

Must be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner.

  • Orthotics. Please support your claim with a statement from your G.P. or an Orthopaedic Surgeon confirming the referral to the podiatrist, including the medical reasons necessitating orthotics. Sports related and temporary orthotics are exempt
  • Corsets, stockings, belts, calipers, artificial limbs and joints, surgical shoes, diabetic syringe and needles, insulin pump and lines, blood sugar meters, asthma nebulisers
  • Wigs and hairpieces are considered on their own merit.

Please note that batteries, accessories and maintenance costs are not reimbursed.

Hearing aid costs Cost of a hearing aid. N/A $250 grant per aid Excludes:
  • Repairs or replacement batteries.
Please Note: Hearing tests can be reimbursed under approved therapist benefit.
Home help To assist with costs of home help. N/A $260 per year Conditions:
  • Claims are only considered if you require home help due to you or your partner being ill or for multiple births
  • A medical certificate is required.
Optical care Costs for optometrist consultation fees and purchase of contact lenses or glasses. 100%

$250 per person for a two year period.  This starts from the first date of the previous optical expense.

 Conditions:
  • Online purchases can be reimbursed provided confirmation of an eye test and prescription have been supplied by an Optician/Optometrist and the online receipt confirms the same prescription details.
Excludes:
  • Claims for treatment relating to laser eyesight corrections
  • Overseas purchases.
Oral surgery costs

Costs of specific oral surgery performed by a dentist or oral surgeon.

60%

or max $250 per tooth or treatment

Oral surgery costs are only reimbursed for:

  • The surgical removal of impacted or unerupted wisdom teeth
  • Root canal therapy - tooth number to be confirmed
  • The treatment of abscesses, cysts, tumors, and ulcers. (Please note that this excludes the extraction of teeth related to these treatments.)

Excludes:

  • Dentistry work relating to examinations, x-rays, filling of cavities, crowns, extractions and all treatment relating to dentures.
  • Apicoectomy
Orthodontic fees Costs of orthodontic treatment. 60% $600 per person Conditions:
  • Teeth realignment
  • Straightening
  • Adjustment
  • Extraction related to realignment
  • Receipts MUST be received by Marram within 12 months of payment
Adoption fees Costs for the adoption of a child. N/A $250 per completed adoption
Maternity costs Costs for obstetric care including ante and post natal care, and delivery fees. 75% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Excludes:
  • Claims for elective tests and treatment before and after births.
  • Post natal accommodation.
  • Receipts MUST be received by Marram within 12 months of payment
IMPORTANT – ensure you pay your Marram contributions in advance before you take maternity leave. If you let your contributions lapse, you will not be able to claim for these or any costs.
Special schooling Costs of special education needs, e.g. autism, dyslexia, attention deficit. 60% $1,250 per condition, per person for a two year period Notes:
  • Claims are considered on a case by case basis.
  • Supporting documentation from the school is required.
  • Excludes online programmes and iPad/computer purchase. 
Ambulance Cost of transportation by ambulance. 60%
Healthcare Grant A grant to assist with looking after you and your family during difficult times. N/A Up to $2775 per person, per year

Healthcare Grant provides reimbursement for:

  • Contributor, dependent child or partner
  • Terminal Illness Grant, $1000
  • Funeral Grant, up to $1000
  • Distant Treatment Grant, $500
  • Holiday Grant, 1 week's stay in a Marram holiday home

Documentation required:

  • Documentation confirming terminal illness
  • Funeral account and receipt
  • Documentation confirming hospital stay
  • Documentation confirming absence from work

View Healthcare Grant Guidelines

View Terms and Conditons

View List of Exclusions

Healthcare Grant Guidelines - Please read the following before completing the Application Form.

For the purpose of these guidelines, Marram Community Trust is referred to as 'Marram' throughout.

Marram, at its discretion, will approve the payment under the Healthcare Grant. This can provide reimbursement for the Contributor, Partner and any Dependent Children. The Healthcare Grant guidelines are as follows:

  1. Terminal Illness Grant of $1,000 in any 12 month period. To be eligible for this payment, please provide documentation from the Specialist with details of the illness, that it can not be treated and is terminal.
  2. Funeral Benefit of up to $1000. Tax invoice and funeral receipt is required. If the benefit payable is for the contributor, the 'Estate' details must be provided.
  3. Distance Treatment Grant of $500 in any 12 month period. Claims will only be considered if the treatment is not available in your home town and the travelling distance exceeds 100 kms return plus a minimum of one week's stay in hospital.
  4. Convalescent Holiday Benefit of up to $275 in any 12 month period.  Contribution towards a week's rental in a Marram holiday home. This benefit will only be considered for illness involving at least 4 weeks of absence from work.  The holiday must be for recovering after an illness and must be taken within 3 months of the absence from work.  Holiday must be taken prior to seeking reimbursement.

The maximum you can apply for in any one year for benefits under the Healthcare Grant is $2,775.

From time to time the Trustees may review and, as a result, change the guidelines. Whilst every effort is made to keep this web page up to date, every application for a Healthcare Grant will only be considered based on Marram's current guidelines.

To apply for a Healthcare Grant you will need to complete a Marram Claim Form. You will also need to provide adequate supporting documents such as:

  • Documentation confirming details of the untreatable terminal illness
  • Funeral tax invoice and receipt
  • Documentation confirming hospital stay away from home area
  • Documentation confirming illness and absence from work


Terms and Conditions

  • Tax Invoices and receipts must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies);
  • Tax Invoices and receipts must show full payment - Tax invoices with PAID stamped are insufficient;
  • Tax Invoices and receipts must be received by Marram within 12 months of payment;
  • Tax Invoices and receipts must show clearly who received the treatment;
  • Tax Invoices and receipts must show what the treatment was and the date the service was received;
  • You must provide your own bank account details every time you claim;
  • The claim form must be signed by the Contributor;
  • Only claims for medical expenses incurred in New Zealand are considered for reimbursement;
  • There is a three month stand down period for claiming healthcare assistance. This begins on the date your first contribution payment is received by Marram;
  • Marram's healthcare assistance programme does not have an excess as we are not an insurance company;
  • Insurance policy excesses are not eligible for reimbursement;
  • The healthcare benefits programme complements the medical insurance provided by Southern Cross, TOWER, Sovereign and others. You must lodge a claim with your medical insurer first and send in the remittance advice from them with your original receipts or insurer-certified copies;
  • The maximum amount you or your dependants can claim for expenses incurred as a result of any one illness in a two year period is $1250. This includes consultation fees, surgery costs, medication costs and surgical appliances related to the illness/condition;
  • The maximum amount claimable for you or your dependants under the Healthcare Grant in any 12 month period is $2775. See Healthcare Grant Guidelines for full details;
  • Medical practitioners must be registered on the Medical Council of New Zealand’s Medical Register (www.mcnz.org.nz). Specialists and anaesthetists must be registered under their specialty profession.
  • Our auditing requirements prevent us from returning original receipts and accounts after reimbursement has been provided. If you wish to maintain a record of your claims, please photocopy your receipts before submitting the originals.
  • Please submit your claim as soon as you leave employment.


YOU CAN CLAIM HEALTHCARE EXPENSES FOR:

  1. Your spouse or partner living in a de facto relationship with you for at least one year.
  2. You or your partner's dependent children up to their 18th birthday.

All healthcare benefits are provided at the absolute discretion of the Board of The Marram Trust and special conditions and exemptions may apply. Below is an overview of what benefits can be claimed for. Marram is not limited to just these benefits, so if you are unsure of anything you may contact us for further details. Please bear in mind that this is an assisted healthcare programme only - giving basic healthcare support. Marram updates its website regularly - however there are always new treatments and medications coming into circulation that may not be detailed below. Please refer to a comprehensive list of exclusions at the bottom of the page.


List of Exclusions

EXCLUSIONS SUMMARYMarram Healthcare benefits do not reimburse all healthcare or healthcare related expenses. Below is a list of the items that are excluded. This is not a complete list; if you cannot find what you are looking for, please phone Customer Services for clarification.

  • Abortion
  • Administration charges and fees
  • Anti-smoking treatments
  • Anti-snoring mechanisms
  • Apicoectomy
  • Baby milk formula
  • Birth after care
  • Blood and Hair tests relating to heavy metals
  • Breast pump machines
  • Breast reduction surgery
  • Chelation (removing heavy metals from the body)
  • Chiropractor X-rays
  • Comprehensive medical check-ups (Medicals)
  • Contraception
  • Cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery - regardless of medical necessity- treatment by a Plastic Surgeon 
  • Dental work relating to:
    - All treatment relating to dentures- Apicectomy
    - Crowns
    - Examinations
    - Extractions
    - Filling of Cavities
    - Hygienist
    - Periodontal Treatment
    - Prescriptions
    - X-rays
  • Drivers Licence
  • Drugs
    - Anti-Smoking
    - Anti-Malarial
    - Bulk Forming
    - Contraception
    - Elective
    - Elevit
    - Non-prescribed drugs
    - Over the counter drug purchases
    - Propecia
    - Sexual enhancement
    - Tamiflu
    - Weight Loss/Control
  • Elective treatment and surgery
  • Extraction of teeth relating to:
    - Abscesses
    - Cysts
    - Tumours
    - Ulcers
  • Expenses for dependents past their 18th birthday
  • Family planning expenses
  • Fax Charges
  • Fentons Repair
  • Fertility Treatment
  • Food and dietary supplements
  • Gastric Bands – weight reducing mechanism
  • Guest meals and telephone accounts– while in hospital
  • Hearing Aid- Accessories
    - Maintenance
    - Repairs
    - Replacement Batteries
  • Herbal/natural remedies
  • Hireage
    - Blood Pressure Machine
    - Breast Pump machines
    - Crutches
    - Nebulisers
    - Surgical heart monitors
  • Immigration checks/medicals
  • Insurance Excess
  • Laboratory Administration fees
  • Laser Treatment
  • Laser red vein treatment
  • Laser eyesight correction
  • Life Coaching 
  • Loss of income due to illness
  • Medications purchased from a Medical Centre
  • Missed appointment charges
  • Natural remedies
  • Obstetrics
    - Baby milk formula
    - Birth after-care
    - DVD- Elevit
    - Elective tests and treatment before and after births
    - Maternity serum scans
    - Nuchal translucency measurement scan
    - Post-natal accommodation
  • Ointments from Alternative Therapists
  • Online/overseas drug purchases
  • Online purchases
  • Orthotics for sports shoes
  • Overseas Purchases
  • Overseas medical treatment
  • Over the counter drug purchases
  • Periodontal treatment
  • Pharmacy Charges
  • Physiotherapy
    - Supplies
    - Incidental materials
  • Plastic/cosmetic surgery
  • Receipts dated more than 12 months ago 
  • Referral Letter
  • Report Preparation 
  • Special Schooling for under 5's and pre-assessment tests
  • Sterilisation – Vasectomies, Tubal Ligation
  • Surgical appliance costs relating to:
    - Batteries
    - Accessories
    - Maintenance costs
  • Therapist’s accessories
  • Travel vaccinations
  • Treatment provided more than 12 months ago
  • Treatment incurred within the three month stand-down period
  • Unpaid accounts
  • Unspecified Injections
  • Vaccinations (except ‘Flu)
  • Vasectomy
  • Visitor's travel expenses
  • Waterproof cast