The Chief Financial Officer at American Samoa's LBJ Medical Centre says it hopes to start sending patients for treatment in New Zealand by the middle of next month.
David Deprin says Nuaz Limited, a company which serves as a third party administrator for referrals from other Pacific islands, has agreed to restore its relationship with the local hospital.
But it wants a commitment from LBJ to send 80% of its referral patients to New Zealand.
The medical referrals will not be 100% funded by the hospital, however.
Deprin said the patient is expected to pay part of the transportation costs while all of the medical expenses will be covered.
The Chief Financial Officer says New Zealand hospitals offer more reasonable prices and they have excellent cardiac and ear nose and throat specialists.
The hospital expects to have a contract signed with the New Zealand administrator by the end of this month
