ACC cuts upset physios

No more free physio from ACC

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

FINANCIAL BLOW: Gill Stotter says ACC payment cuts to physiotherapy providers mean practices will be forced to charge more.

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Low-income accident victims could miss out on vital rehabilitation because of cuts by the Accident Compensation Corporation, physiotherapists say.

Lower Hutt physio Gill Stotter said ACC had cut payments to providers by a third in its new contract. "It's a financial blow to a sector that was already 30 per cent underfunded according to a recent independent review but our biggest concern is for patients and their quality of care."

Many practices would have no choice but to start charging patients a top-up fee, which would be a barrier for many low-income families, she said.

"It's a false economy because the long-term cost to the health system of chronic injury are huge."

Society of Physiotherapists president Jonathan Warren said it was "short-sighted" of the Government to ignore the needs of low-income people.

"I expect that as fewer people seek treatment, some clinics will have to cut staff, and others may even be forced to close. Reducing the physiotherapy workforce will reduce the country's ability to meet health targets."

ACC spokeswoman Gail Kettle said that since the introduction of free physiotherapy in 2004, claims had jumped more than 45 per cent with "a disproportionate use" by higher socio-economic groups.

Ms Kettle said ACC would monitor access to see if there was an adverse impact on any specific groups.

"We are also concerned that free physiotherapy has not led to more rapid recovery for clients who are injured. We are very clear that where we fund physiotherapy, we want to see measurable client benefits."

The fee cuts were designed to curtail a blowout in physiotherapy costs, she said.

Between 2000 and 2008, the cost of physiotherapy rose 214 per cent, from $39.7 million to $144 million.

"Rises in costs of this nature are unsustainable for levy payers and the ACC scheme. And they don't belong in a value-for-money environment."

The agency's financial performance has been under intense scrutiny since post-election revelations of a $1.5 billion hole in its accounts.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Alfred   #2   09:50 pm Aug 18 2009

It would be nice to see some analysis of Ms Kettle's statement that "free physiotherapy has not led to more rapid recovery for clients who are injured." Maybe the benefits are subjective to the injury, in which case funding should perhaps not be cut by 30%, but just be cut for certain injuries and maintained for others. Maybe visits should be initially paid for by ACC, then copayments increase gradually with future visits.

Kay Cross   #1   08:13 am Aug 18 2009

Boo hoo the physio's losing full funding from ACC. Why are they bleating, it's not like this has been their life blood for ever? I can distinctly remember when the 'free' physio came in - it was only a few years ago. What did they do before that? Charge the patients the difference (and more) just like doctors do. Get over it and stop being so precious - I doubt you will feel the pinch as the amount you can charge your patients will more than make up the difference. It never held you back before.

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