Sector Services

Claims, Provider Payments & Entitlements

Forensic Pathology

On this page:
FAQs
Forms

What is a Forensic Pathology Service Payment?
Forensic Pathology services, is when an autopsy has been performed or carried out by a coroner. An autopsy service must be requested from a registered coroner. The Pathologist must hold this request.

Who can claim this service payment?
A pathologist will claim for the service.

How much can I claim?
It depends on the services that a coroner performed – see below:

Forensic Pathology Service	Fee
For every post-mortem examination (incl all conferences with the coroner and the police, and all the reports on the examination made to the coroner	$750
For preparing and examining any histological specimens in connection with a post mortem examination	$67.33
For typing and any other secretarial work, associated with a post mortem examination	$27.33
For every laboratory test associated with a post mortem examination	$22.34
For a post mortem examination- where a coroner has directed that it should be performed forthwith or where it or any work associated with it is done outside normal working hours	$180.00

The claims received by Sector Services should have two forms. What are they and what information needs to be on them?

One or more post mortems (patients) can be on the same claim. However they will need to be submitted on individual claim forms. Each claim summary form can have more than one claim form attached
They may claim one or many services on each claim for the patient
A claim summary form should accompany all claims
Each post mortem should be claimed on a separate claim forms.

What mandatory information does Sector Services check?

Claimant signatures on the summary and claim forms
Date of the claim which is found at the bottom of the page. This is to ensure that the claim is not older than six months. If the claim is older than six months, we seek the Ministry of Justice for approval.
Pathologist registration number
Occupation of the coroner
Name of the deceased person
Name of the coroner
District of the coroner
Post mortem date of the claim

If any of this information is missing the claim needs to be returned, to the claimant with a letter stating the corrections to be made

When will my claims be paid?
Payment will be made within 20 business days of receiving a valid claim.

Where do I send my claims?
Send all completed claim forms to:

Forensic Pathology Service Payments
Sector Services
PO Box 1026
Wellington 6140

How do I contact Sector Services?
For further information, please call the Sector Services Contact Centre on:
0800 458 448
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm,
Except Wednesday when the Contact Centre’s hours are 9:30am – 5:00pm

I have run out of claim forms, where can I get some more?
Claim forms are available free from Wickliffe Ltd on 0800 259 138 - you will need to provide your payee number at hand.

Forms
Please link the publication (from the FAQ’s attachments doc link) called:
Forensic Coroner Post Mortem Claim (PDF, 105 KB)
Forensic Pathology Claim Summary (PDF, 54 KB)

Please note: you should not rely solely on the answers provided here; the contracts applicable to each provider and all relevant legislation must be consulted to determine the full rights & liabilities applicable to any service provider or funder.