9 January 2024
Gunjan
[FYI request #24677 email]
File No: DOIA 2324-1283
Dear Gunjan,
I refer to your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) received on 5 December
2023 requesting the following information from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (Ministry):
“Please provide missing documents
1. INZ 1378 medical assesor guidelines
2. ASH conditions even if they are noted on medical exam.
3. Single point failure guideline
4. Multipoint failure guideline
5. In documents I read wording “chronic conditions cost over the predictive course of
condition” chronic conditions like diabetes or Hypertension require medication to be taken
life long so when costing is calculated, how the life of applicant is predicted to calculate the
cost over predictive course? It is not clear from documents given on what basis or how HAT
team decide on life of applicant to calculate cost for chronic conditions?
6. Is there any list of medication costing to suggest monthly cost for medication?”.
Our Response
Point one – INZ 1378 medical assessor guidelines
I have attached the INZ 1378 Medical Assessors Guidelines as
Appendix one.
Please note: In your previous request (ref: DOIA 2324-1025) it only specified the supplementary
guidelines used by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Medical Assessors rather than requesting INZ
1378 medical assessor guidelines.
Point two – ASH conditions even if they are noted on medical exams
There is no list of ASH conditions, even if they noted on a medical exam, there is no list of ASH
conditions.
Points three and four – single point failure and multipoint failure guidelines
I have attached the single failure points and multiple failure points documents as
Appendix one.
Point five – calculation of cost for chronic conditions
Where a visa applicant has a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or hypertension, Medical
Assessors will consider the likelihood of any high-cost medications or medical interventions being
required, and whether the services required are already under significant demand.
Where a medical condition is wel managed and treated through generic routine medications which
are readily available, it would not be common practice for a Medical Assessor to consider the
cumulative lifetime costs of medications or primary healthcare needs.
Point six – list of medication costing to suggest monthly cost for medication
The Medical Assessors are guided by the information listed on the PHARMAC website and by the
advice provided to them by the applicants’ themselves.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800
802 602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Richard Owen
General Manager – Immigration Risk and Border
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
