SNN July 2018

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
with John Miller Law
INDIVIDUAL REHABILITATION PLANS (IRP’S)
IRP’s are prepared if you need support from ACC for more
than 13 weeks. The purpose is to ascertain the treatment and
rehabilitation required. An ACC Case Manager will create this
plan in consultation with you, and you have a right to negotiate
the contents. You may also wish to include involvement from
support people in the negotiation phase.
The plan must include:
• the plan and a target date (e.g. going back to your old job
in three months)
• necessary assessments (occupational and medical)
• any treatment / rehabilitation in place / to be approved,
and whether ACC will fund it
• appropriate services, and
• the next progress monitoring meeting with the Case
Manager.
If you are unhappy with the contents of the plan, you may apply
to review it.
• Of a type normally provided by a rehabilitation provider.
Social rehabilitation extends to all circumstances of the injury
and the claimant’s life, not just work or travel to work. ACC
must look at the physical and mental benefits of the equipment
in any aspect of a claimant’s life, including their personal life.
2. What rehab, mobility, technology and transport equipment
am I entitled to?
Refer general criteria above.
ACC does have a degree of discretion to approve or decline
equipment, but the decision needs to be reasonable / fair and
backed up by evidence.
There is no set budget but ACC can look at cost effectiveness
as part of the decision-making process. However, cost
effectiveness is only one factor of many which ACC must
consider. For instance, it would likely be unreasonable for ACC
to decline equipment on the basis of cost only.
TRAVEL EXPENSES
The Corporation is liable to pay/contribute to the cost of
any service if it; (a) facilitates treatment and (b) is reasonably
required as an ancillary service related to treatment.
The legislation provides the following examples of an
“ancillary service related to treatment” (where relevant):
accommodation, transport and an escort for transport for
treatment.
ACC will only assist with a claimant’s travel and accommodation
for treatment or rehabilitation if it relates to a covered injury.
Prior approval for these costs is required and can be sought by
completing an ACC250 (Request for Travel Costs) form, which
can be found on ACC’s website.
If you wish to bring a support person, you must show that
she / he is reasonably required for the purpose of treatment
/ rehabilitation for the covered injury. This will be easier to
establish in the following situations: if the claimant is under
the age of 18; if the claimant has an injury / medical condition
that requires a support person; if the claimant is using
transport that requires a support person; or if the claimant
needs support for recovery and rehabilitation.
EQUIPMENT ENTITLEMENTS
1. What does the ACC legislation say about equipment
entitlements?
The provision of equipment (“aids and appliances”) is a
key aspect of social rehabilitation under ACC legislation.
ACC is obliged to provide claimants with aids and appliances,
including equipment, if necessary to restore a claimant’s
independence to the maximum extent possible.
This is the overarching principle but the equipment sought
must also be:
• Required as a direct consequence of the injury.
• Necessary and appropriate.
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