Ministry of Health Entitlements after Breast Surgery

Breast Prosthesis Benefit

If you have had a mastectomy, you are eligible for a benefit to help you buy a breast prosthesis (known as a breast form) and special bras.
You are eligible for $613.33 worth of products every 4 years (or $1226.66 for bilateral surgery).  Shops which stock breast forms and pocketted bras are registered with the Ministry of Health and can make the claim on your behalf. You just need to take the doctor's letter with you to the shop for your first claim.

Special conditions

You can claim for this benefit if you:

*are a New Zealand citizen, or have permanent residency status (or meet other Ministry of health eligibility criteria) and;

*have had a partial or full mastectomy, resulting in the need to wear a prosthesis, or have congenital or other needs, including asymmetry following a reconstruction or partial surgery, or naturally occurring, as specified by your specialist or GP and;

*your specialist/GP gives you a current medical certificate with your NHI number, the date and details of the surgery, and prescribes a prosthesis for you. We have form letters here that we can give to you to take to your GP, to show them what details are needed.

Important to know

The benefit has a maximum payout of $613.33 over a four year period; any extra costs must be borne by you. This money does not have to be repaid.  Any money you do not use will be lost at the end of the four year period, when a new full amount is allocated.

Assymmetry

Funding is now available if you have asymmetry (significant difference in size between your breasts) where that occurs as a result of surgery, or naturally. We have a form letter you can show your GP to describe what details are needed.

You can phone the Ministry of Health yourself on 0800 458 448 to find out how much subsidy you have left. Your retailer can also phone on your behalf if they have your date of birth and other details.