As of 1 October 2025, AIA Living introduces the Specialist and Testing Support Benefit, a powerful addition to your insurance policy designed to ease the financial and emotional burden of medical care for families.
This benefit offers comprehensive coverage for specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, ensuring your family can access timely healthcare without the stress of unexpected costs. Here’s why this benefit is a must-have for families:
Key Benefits for Families
- Comprehensive Specialist and Diagnostic Coverage
Families can access up to $10,000 per person per policy year for specialist consultations and $100,000 per person per policy year for diagnostic tests like MRIs, CT scans, colonoscopies, and more, when referred by a registered medical practitioner. This ensures that whether it’s a child’s allergy test or a parent’s MRI, your family can get the answers you need without delay.
- Support for Pregnancy and Maternity Care
The benefit includes a $1,500 per person per policy year allowance for obstetric care, infertility diagnosis, and treatment, with no excess applied. This is a lifeline for growing families, covering essential scans and care during pregnancy, ensuring peace of mind during this special time.
- Proactive Health Screening
After two years of continuous cover (or three if not an AIA Vitality member), families can access a $500–$750 health screening allowance every three years. This covers preventive checks like breast, cervical, prostate, or heart screenings, empowering families to stay ahead of potential health issues without worrying about costs.
- Streamlined Claims with AIA’s Healthcare Partnership Programme
With AIA’s Healthcare Partnership Programme, claims are hassle-free. Partnered providers handle claims directly, so you don’t need to seek prior approval or submit paperwork. AIA pays the provider, and you’re only responsible for any non-covered costs, making the process seamless for busy families.
- Financial Flexibility with Excess Options
Choose between a $0 or $250 excess per person per policy year, allowing you to tailor the policy to your budget. Once the excess is paid for the year, further claims are covered without additional out-of-pocket costs, providing predictable expenses for families.
- Negotiated Costs for Affordability
AIA works to keep costs manageable by negotiating with healthcare providers to ensure charges are reasonable. If costs exceed what’s deemed reasonable, AIA will guide you to affordable alternatives or cover up to the reasonable charge, protecting your family’s finances.
- Flexibility for Life’s Changes
The policy offers suspension options for up to 24 months for overseas travel or 12 months for financial hardships like unemployment or reduced income. This ensures families aren’t locked into premiums during tough times, offering flexibility when you need it most.
Why It Matters for Families
The Specialist and Testing Support Benefit is designed with families in mind, providing access to critical healthcare services without the financial strain. From routine screenings to specialist care and maternity support, this benefit ensures your family can focus on health and well-being, not bills. With AIA’s commitment to negotiating costs and streamlining claims, it’s easier than ever to get the care you need.
How Specialist and Testing Support Can Make A Difference
Georgie’s Story
At just 24, Georgie wanted to take charge of her future. With guidance from her adviser, she secured a $150,000 life insurance policy and added Specialist and Testing Support, opting for a $250 excess to keep premiums manageable.
Ten months later, Georgie began experiencing abnormal bowel symptoms. Her GP referred her for a colonoscopy, but faced with long public wait times, she used her Specialist and Testing Support benefit to access a private procedure. A small bowel polyp was removed, and she was advised to return for follow-up in five years. Had further treatment been needed, she planned to use the public system.
Ravi’s Story
At 60, Ravi was preparing for retirement and looking to reduce his expenses. He held a Private Health policy but felt full coverage was no longer essential. After consulting his adviser, he switched to the more affordable Specialist and Testing Support benefit, retaining access to private specialist consultations and diagnostic tests.
A few months later, Ravi used the benefit to see a cardiologist privately and was diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). He was recommended for angioplasty and stenting and is now on the public waitlist for treatment.
For more details or to explore this benefit, visit AIA’s website or log in to MyAIA to review your policy schedule.
Source:
Specialist and Testing Support: Enhancing Access to Diagnostic Services (aia.co.nz) https://www.aia.co.nz/en/our-products/specialist-and-testing-support.html