While quite a few articles have centered on the sort of insurance we recommend for travellers to and from New Zealand, little is discussed the burden on the taxpayer caused by those visitors who don't have travel insurance. This short article will discuss some of the recent data and information regarding non-insured visitors to New Zealand.Each year in New Zealand there are patients admitted to our hospitals who are ineligible for publicly funded healthcare because they are not residents here (and they failed to meet other criteria). The kind of illnesses range from liver disease, angina, kidney disease, kidney stones, and abdominal pain, to name just a few.Usually these people are treated at the trouble of the brand new Zealand taxpayer, with the majority of that money, amounting to thousands, being written off as bad debt by the District Health Boards they fall under. Around total for New Zealand, over the 10 year period between 2000 and 2010, is $630 million. This debt will reach about $1 billion this decade, if there are no changes to identification, billing and recovery cost systems currently used.Statistics show that out from the three million plus travellers to New Zealand, 80% aren't entitled to free healthcare and those without travel insurance are a major burden on our health and wellness system. New Zealand's Minister of Health has publicly acknowledged the problem and contains stated in the media that systems would be tightened up. Measures being discussed include the sharing of information between government agencies, that will assist check who is eligible for public care. For instance, some accidents are included in the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), however, not all.The cost to travellers not only includes medical care, but additionally the cost of extending their stay. This may include changes to flights, additional costs of accommodation for them and their travel companions or family, phone bills, food etc. All these costs accumulate and will amount to thousands of dollars.The Immigration department recommends that visitors to New Zealand have comprehensive medical care insurance for the entire length of their stay. Some visa categories require compulsory medical and travel cover (such as for example Working Holiday visas), so that it pays to check on these criteria carefully before you start travelling.New Zealand inbound travel cover providers have an array of options specifically designed for different visa categories, and their travel cover policies work best within the framework of the brand new Zealand health system. Furthermore, travellers may be surprised to get that travel insurance is not costly. Many travel and medical health insurance brokers can simply and quickly give quotes on insurance costs, for several lengths of stay. These brokers can also explain how the healthcare system works in New Zealand, and present an outline of who's eligible to free healthcare and who's not.So before your next visit, contact a New Zealand travel insurance broker to make sure you get the proper insurance cover.Health and TRAVEL COVER Brokers Ltd certainly are a niche independent insurance broker that focus on travel and expatriate insurance, including cover for visitors, students and work visa holders arriving at New Zealand or Australia; and outward travel insurance including cover for most high risk activities.We also cover TRAVEL COVER for all nationalities that are looking to do 'high risk' activities including blue water sailing, off-piste skiing, professional rodeo etc. E mail us today to determine how we may help you www.healthinsurance.co.nz.