Two district health boards are to drop a contentious fee they impose on patients who have privately ordered lab tests.
The Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards will drop the charges next month. Only Tairawhiti in Gisborne will still impose it until the middle of next year.
The three boards began charging patients who had lab tests ordered through private specialists in 2006.
A Government review found that if all DHBs charged for those tests, it would save them up to $20 million per year, but patients lacking health insurance would be hard hit.
Radio New Zealand's health correspondent says Capital & Coast and Hutt are suggesting they are prepared to carry the $2 million cost again, without cuts to services.
