Those receiving the top 10 highest claim payments were aged 64 to 76 years, underlining the heightened demand for health services people have as they age and the increasing complexity of the procedures they require, Tynan said.
"When you're young and healthy it's easy to think 'I'll deal with it later'. But by the time certain medical conditions develop it is too late to get health insurance to cover them, much like trying to get car insurance after an accident," he said.
Those aged under 30 put in a high number of claims for tonsillectomies and dental procedures, he said.
For women aged 20-39, endometriosis surgery is common and after the age of 50, hip and knee replacements, cataract extraction and skin lesion removals are in high demand, he said.
"By committing to health insurance early, people can improve their access to elective services should they require them. When you're living with chronic pain having to wait even a month can seem a life sentence.
"These figures also highlight the cost of medical procedures - how expensive elective surgery can be. Those wanting to go private need to think about how they'll fund it.
"If they choose to self-insure, people should have realistic expectations of what they'll need, says Tynan.
A survey carried out by Southern Cross last year revealed that 79 per cent of New Zealanders think they will have to pay for some of their elective healthcare in retirement.
However only one in five had started saving and many thought that savings of less than $10,000 would be sufficient.
A knee replacement costs between $19,000 and $24,000, cardiac bypass surgery between $43,000 and $50,000 and one course of radiation therapy between $15,000 and $27,000, Tynan said.
MOST COSTLY PROCEDURES
Spinal surgery - $160,000
Spinal surgery - $151,000
Larynx removal - $100,000
Heart valve replacement - $98,000
Cardiac bypass - $95,000
Major oesophagus surgery - $93,000
Spinal surgery - $93,000
Extensive facial surgery and reconstruction - $91,000
[Source: Southern Cross Healthcare Society]
