If as a result of an injury you need an artificial limb, replacement limb, limb repair or associated limb consumable, ACC may be able to help with costs.
What help can I get?
ACC may be able to pay for:
- your first artificial limb (also known as prosthesis)
- a replacement limb
- repairs or adjustments to your artificial limb
- consumables needed for your artificial limb, such as stump socks.
ACC purchases artificial limbs and services directly from the New Zealand Artificial Limb Board, which has Limb Centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Note:
If you have an accident and your injuries include damage to an existing artificial limb, you will need to lodge a new claim for cover as this is considered a new personal injury.
What do I need to do to get help?
- Talk to ACC about what kind of help we may be able to provide.
- Visit or contact your doctor, hospital or surgeon, who will refer you to the nearest Limb Centre to be assessed.
Note:
ACC may be able to help towards your costs if you have to travel a long way to the nearest Limb Centre. See Travel and accommodation for treatment for more information.
- Attend the assessment consultation. The Limb Centre will need to know your ACC claim number, the date of your injury and your ACC client services contact’s name and contact details, and will provide an assessment report to ACC.
- If your artificial limb needs repair due to an injury, see your doctor to lodge a new claim and then take it to the nearest Limb Centre.
- If you need a replacement limb, talk to your ACC client services contact.
A replacement may be due to:
- growth, particularly when a prosthesis is required for a child
- deterioration due to normal wear and tear
- lifestyle change, such as if you were to take up more demanding work
- major metabolic change, such as significant weight loss or gain
- damage that has cover as a new personal injury claim.
How am I eligible?
You will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- The artificial limb must be required as a result of an injury.
- Your claim has been accepted for cover.
- You have been assessed as needing the artificial limb by the Limb Centre Clinical Team.
- The artificial limb is necessary, appropriate and of the required quality to help you regain your independence.
Important:
The help you will get depends on your individual circumstances. Please contact us to confirm if you are eligible, or to identify other ways in which we can help. See Contact ACC Claims for our contact information.
How long might ACC take to determine if I am eligible?
ACC regards 21 days as a reasonable timeframe for the majority of decisions about what assistance you may be entitled to, from the date of your referral.
Please contact us if you have not heard from us within a reasonable period of time. See Contact ACC Claims for our contact information.
What happens next?
Based on the Limb Centre report, ACC decides whether ACC will fund the limb and contacts you about the decision. If payment for your limb is approved, the Limb Centre will fit you with your limb.
If we decline your claim, we will tell you why.
The Limb Centre also provides an ‘Artificial Limb Rehabilitation Plan’, which gives details of the type of limb that has been fitted, the consumables you will need and any follow-up appointments and treatment, such as physiotherapy, required.
This information is added to your ACC individual plan, which is developed by you and your ACC client services contact and, if appropriate, your employer and treatment provider.
ACC purchases the limb directly from the Artificial Limb Board; there are no extra charges for you to pay. You are responsible for care of the limb. ACC will not pay for repairs of an artificial limb damaged through abuse, misuse or neglect.
ACC will pay for repairs costing less than $1,000 (excluding GST) without prior approval, allowing you to have minor repairs done quickly and without fuss.
If the repair is more than $1,000, approval from ACC must be sought before the limb is repaired.
Note:
If you are unhappy with a decision, you can ask for it to be reviewed. See What if I have problems with a claim?
Related legislation
Accident Compensation Act 2001
- Sections 81-84: Corporation’s liability to provide key aspects of social rehabilitation (external link)
- Schedule 1, Clause 13: Aids and appliances (external link)