Otorohanga residents are dumping their doctor to travel to Te Kuiti, about 20km away, for free GP visits.
At least 37 patients have left the Otorohanga Medical Centre, which does not offer free treatment.
Otorohanga GP Dr Ross Marshall told the medical publication New Zealand GP that patients said they were transferring to Te Kuiti purely for the free doctor visits.
The two organisations receive different levels of Primary Health Organisation funding, allowing Te Kuiti to offer free care while Otorohanga cannot.
Otorohanga patients switch doctors for free visits
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