What is ACC and How Can it Help You?
If you live in New Zealand, you've probably heard of ACC, but what exactly is it, and how can it help you?
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) a programme partially funded by the government, with the majority coming from ACC levies on employees and self employed Kiwis income. ACC is designed to provide personal injury cover for everyone in New Zealand, including visitors, easing the financial burden of healthcare. If you're injured, whether at work, playing sport, on the road, or even at home, ACC can step in to help cover the cost of your recovery.
What support can ACC offer?
ACC can help if your injury is caused by a clear, sudden accident - everything from a car crash to twisting your ankle on the stairs at work.
There are many ways ACC may be able to support you, depending on the type of injury and your individual needs. Note that eligibility for each support service is assessed by ACC.
- Medical and rehabilitation services, such as physiotherapy and GP visits
- Financial support to help replace part of your lost income
- Aids and equipment, such as crutches
- Home help
- Transport, and in some cases accommodation
- Counselling and therapy
What does ACC not cover?
ACC generally doesn't cover:
- Illnesses such as the flu or measles
- Stress or emotional issues, unless linked to a physical injury already covered
- Age-related conditions such as arthritis
- Most hernias
- Injuries that develop over time, unless caused by your job
- Damage to aids such as glasses, hearing aids or pacemakers
Examples of conditions ACC usually doesn't cover:
- Appendicitis
- Sunburn or windburn
- Back pain without a clear cause
Unsure if your injury will be covered by ACC?
A doctor, physiotherapist or dentist can assess your injury, and submit a claim to ACC.
However, ACC makes the final decision on whether your injury qualifies for cover. A medical diagnosis from your healthcare professional is needed for them to review your claim, and our physiotherapists can help with this!
How to make an ACC claim with your physiotherapist
Lodging a claim is simple. Your healthcare provider, such as your physiotherapist or GP, can submit the claim to ACC on your behalf.
To lodge an ACC claim with Massey & Waitākere Physiotherapy, all you need to do is fill in a consent form, which includes information about your injury: when, where and how it occurred, as well as the type of injury and the body part affected.
Your physiotherapist will then submit the claim to let ACC know about your injury, and apply for ACC to cover part of your physio appointment cost (and usually follow up physiotherapy too, ask about this).
Once the ACC claim has been accepted, you can use the claim number for other services related to that injury as well as physiotherapy. Some of the services listed above will need to be pre-approved by ACC. You can arrange this by logging in to your MyACC account or calling ACC on 0800 101 996.
Want to book and appointment now and start your ACC claim with the help of one of our physiotherapists? Click here!
