Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003

An insurer’s liability for the cost of hospitalisation of a worker at a public hospital extends only to the cost of hospitalisation of the worker as an in-patient at the public hospital—

for non-elective hospitalisation—for not more than 4 days; or

for non-elective hospitalisation for more than 4 days—if the insurer considers the hospitalisation is reasonable, having regard to the worker’s injury; or

for elective hospitalisation—to the extent agreed to by the insurer under arrangements entered into between the insurer and the worker or someone for the worker before the hospitalisation.

Subject to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, a worker is not liable for the cost of hospitalisation, including medical treatment, as an in-patient at a public hospital for an injury sustained by the worker.