KEY POINTS:
GP fees and prescription charges are set to cost a little less as of today for people between the ages of 25 and 44.
It is the last age group to have consultations subsidised.
July 1 marks a universal roll-out of several policies aimed at providing cheaper primary healthcare.
The approach is designed to cut charges for doctor's visits by half.
It will also see prescription charges fall from $15 to $3.
The move has been welcomed by the New Zealand Medical Association.
The chairman of the New Zealand Rural GP Network, Dr Tim Malloy, said 25-44 was the least vulnerable age group, but for some the cost of an appointment could be off-putting.
He said it was yet to be determined whether the cheaper visits would mean more patients coming from this age group.
Dr Malloy said access was always an issue in rural areas, especially where there was high need and deprivation.
He believed the subsidy was a positive move towards removing barriers.
- NEWSTALK ZB
