Charges for lab tests

When do I have to pay for a lab test?

Most private specialist-requested tests become free to patients as from 1 November 2011. These could be tests ordered from your specialist or from private hospitals and clinics.

Any private test samples received by our laboratory before 1 November will be charged at current rates, even if the testing and reporting is completed on or after 1 November.

Some general patient tests may have fees from 1 November

The tests below will have fees if your GP orders them. They will be free if your specialist orders them or if your GP's request has already been approved by a registered medical specialist.

JAK2
BCR-abl
Faecal Calprotectin
TPMT / genotype

Serum Free Light Chains
Ostase
Urine Iodine
IGF1-ndo

Red cell Magnesium
hs-CRP
6 Thioguanine nucelotides

Plasma Zinc
Insulin
ACTH

Charges for other tests

A charge always applies for these tests:

Quantiferon Gold TB test
Urine Pregnanediol

Charges also apply for the following tests:

pre-employment or training placement; eg nursing and medical students
employment related (workplace health testing), or for an overseas posting or deployment
immigration or visa medicals
insurance medicals, or any other medicals such as a pilot’s medical
a research study or drug trial or similar
people who are visiting New Zealand and/or are not New Zealand residents and who are not eligible for public funding
patients of non-medical practitioners such as dentists, naturopaths
self-ordered by patients

These lists will be updated as funding rules change.

If you are uncertain about charges for laboratory tests please contact our Accounts Records Officer on 381 5930 for information.

Commercial testing

For more information about our commercial services for workplace testing, testing for research programmes, or health and wellbeing testing, refer to our commercial testing page.

How can I pay?

Click here for information about paying your account.