Amending Your Patient Fees

2026/27 Stable Fees Policy

2026/27 brings a significant change to the fees review process.
Under the Stable Fees Policy, standard GP consultation fees must remain at the rates that applied on 8 June 2026, with a 0% allowable increase for standard consultations across all age groups. This means that, unlike most years, practices are not automatically able to increase their patient fees as part of the annual uplift process.

While practices retain any banked fee increase percentages from previous years, these cannot be applied during the 2026/27 financial year. Instead, additional funding support is being provided through a 6.32% increase to general first level capitation (this includes a 3.16% increase to first contact and contingent capitation).

Recognising that some practices may face financial sustainability challenges, Health NZ has established an exception process. Practices may apply through their PHO for approval to increase fees where they can demonstrate that:

  1. The practice’s business sustainability is jeopardised; or

  2. Unacceptable reductions in patient-facing services are required to maintain sustainability; or

  3. Practice requires a fees increase to fund investments in progress (e.g. new buildings) to allow enrolment growth.

  4. The practice is receiving transitional funding and can show that they have a copayment to capitation revenue ratio such that they are not fully compensated through the 4.46% uplift for the standard 3.16% cost adjustment without a fees increase.

Applications will be assessed by Health NZ, with declined applications referred to the independent Fees Review Committee for determination. The Stable Fees Policy is a temporary measure and will remain in place until 30 June 2027.

Notification for submitting Fee Increase Exception Requests:

Please submit your completed Fee Increase Exception request Form to practicenetwork@wellsouth.org.nz. 

  • It may take WellSouth up to 5 working days to process your request. 

  • WellSouth will confirm via email once we have sent Health NZ your Fee Increase Exception request.

  • Health NZ will decide on the proposal within 10 working days:

  • If approved, you will be able to increase your fees within the agreed parameters.

  • If declined, Health NZ will refer the application to the Fees Review Committee to independently determine whether the application meets the exception criteria. 

  • Health NZ will accept the findings of the Fees Review Committee