RMC Debt Management Policy

July 2026

 

Overview

 

At Redcliffs Medical Centre, we are committed to providing high-quality healthcare while keeping our fees as affordable as possible. Prompt payment of accounts helps us continue to deliver excellent care to all of our patients.

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We understand that financial circumstances can sometimes make it difficult to pay an account. If you are experiencing hardship, we encourage you to contact us as early as possible so we can discuss the support options available.

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Payment

 

• Payment at the time of your appointment is appreciated but is not mandatory.

• If payment is not made on the day, at Reception, an invoice will be automatically issued by email or through the patient portal on the following business day.

• Monthly statements are sent to patients with outstanding balances to help keep them informed of their account.

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Payment Plans and Financial Hardship

 

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact us as soon as possible. We are happy to discuss payment arrangements where appropriate.

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Patients who have an agreed payment plan and continue to meet the agreed repayments will generally not progress through our debt recovery process while the arrangement is being maintained.

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We will also consider available funding options, where appropriate, that may assist patients experiencing financial hardship.

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Ongoing Non-Payment

 

If an account remains unpaid despite reasonable attempts to contact you and no suitable payment arrangement has been made, Redcliffs Medical Centre may take one or more of the following steps:

• require payment before providing future non-urgent medical services;

• restrict access to non-urgent services until payment is made or a payment arrangement is in place;

• refer the outstanding balance to a debt collection agency;

• seek recovery of any reasonable debt collection costs where applicable; and

• consider your ongoing enrolment with the practice in accordance with Health New Zealand enrolment requirements and our practice policies.

 

These steps are only taken after multiple attempts have been made to contact you and provide an opportunity to resolve the outstanding balance.

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Urgent Medical Care

 

Regardless of any outstanding balance, Redcliffs Medical Centre will continue to provide urgent or immediately necessary medical care in accordance with our professional and ethical obligations.

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Privacy

 

Your privacy is important to us. Any information relating to outstanding accounts will be handled confidentially and in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code. Where we need to confirm your contact details with another person, we will not disclose details of your outstanding account.

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Casual Patients

 

Patients attending the practice on a casual basis are expected to pay at the time of their appointment unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance.

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By working together and communicating early if difficulties arise, we aim to resolve outstanding accounts fairly while continuing to provide safe, high-quality healthcare for our community.