Sexual Health
Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
Work and Income funds the insertion and removal of subsidised Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) for people on a benefit (and their dependent children aged 16 and older).
The person receiving the LARC can ring MSD on 0800 559 009 between Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm with the information listed below. To assist your client and save your staff time, we suggest you develop a form listing this this information:
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registered business name of the Practice (for payment purposes)
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the costs of the initial assessment and insertion or removal of the device
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the name of the medical practitioner providing the service.
Vasectomy
If a person is on a benefit or a low income and wants a vasectomy, Work and Income may be able to help with the cost of travel, accommodation and surgery through a Special Needs Grant.
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The decision whether to get a vasectomy or not is an entirely personal decision made in consultation with your patient.
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Generally the maximum grant is $300. The patient doesn't have to pay the money back.
The client will need to book an appointment to arrange the Special Needs Grant either through MyMSD or by calling Work and Income on 0800 559 009. The client will need a letter from their doctor with the cost of the procedure, and where and when it will be done. This will enable Work and Income to work out any travel and accommodation costs.
We have developed Outbox templates that you can easily print out to distribute when seeing a patient. If you require this form, please email PhilippaL@alliancehealth.org.nz
Below are links to user guides on how to import the Outbox templates:
Sexual health services and useful info/websites
Testing and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is available for all men who have sex with men (MSM) irrespective of their eligibility to receive publically funded New Zealand healthcare across the Metro Auckland region.
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‘Body Positive’ provides free testing for STIs for MSM. Heterosexual individuals, (both male and female) not eligible for funded healthcare can also attend here however may be charged for some of these tests.
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‘New Zealand Aids Foundation’ provides free testing services for only MSM.
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‘Auckland Regional Sexual Health Clinic’ provides testing and treatment services for all across the metro Auckland region. All MSM are able to access services here at no cost. For those not eligible for funded healthcare can also attend here however may be charged for some of these tests.
To know more about STI, testing and treatment clinics visit www.healthysex.nz
One of the most the most effective protection available against STIs (as well as unintended pregnancy) are condoms.
Condoms can be bought from pharmacies, supermarkets, dairies, pubs, public toilets, petrol stations, nightclubs, sex shops and online, but it’s cheaper to get them on prescription from family planning clinics, a sexual health centre or your GP/family doctor.
One can get up to 12 boxes of condoms for $5 with a prescription (It is free to get from Union Health Centres, New Zealand Aids Foundation, Body Positive and some pharmacies). One is legally allowed to buy condoms at any age.
Did you know there is an International Students Sexuality Education Toolkit which has been developed for use with secondary school groups of international students for whom English is a second language. Visit, https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/international-students-sexuality-education-toolkit