Allied Health

What we're doing

We’re working with the allied health sector to design a more effective, Allied Health contract – one that delivers the right care, at the right time, in a more consistent way.      

This work is part of our efforts to strengthen how we commission services to support better recovery outcomes for injured people and a sustainable Accident Compensation Scheme.   

Evidence shows demand for allied health services and associated costs have been rising faster than inflation and population growth.  

At the same time, access to services is inconsistent across the country, with services more concentrated in affluent areas. This highlights an opportunity to better balance service availability and improve equity across regions.  

It’s important we purchase allied health services that deliver strong recovery outcomes and support the long-term sustainability of the Scheme.  

Right now, we are building an understanding of needs, challenges and priorities which could inform what a new Allied Health contract could look like.  

As part of this process, we will be engaging with the sector at different stages and seeking feedback through short surveys, and meetings with suppliers, professional bodies, and Expert Reference Group.    

Why this work matters

Our data shows more people are spending longer off work after injury, particularly for low complexity injuries such as sprains and strains. Longer time away from work and everyday activity can make recovery harder and has negative impacts for the injured person, their whānau, employer and community. It also puts pressure on the Scheme and the sustainability of the entitlements ACC provides. 

We’re focused on supporting recovery that is active and timely – so people can get back to what matters, sooner. 

How to stay informed

Over the coming months, we’ll continue to engage with the sector as we test our thinking. Join us at one of our online engagement webinars to stay updated on this work and register for our monthly Provider Update.

You can also contact us

Email alliedhealth@acc.co.nz

Previous webinars

Click through to view previous webinar recordings and download the presentation slides and FAQ documents.

Physiotherapy market review

Last year, ACC and Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ) jointly commissioned a physiotherapy market review, which was undertaken by independent reviewers Sapere. 

The review was commissioned to give a picture of how accident related physiotherapy services are working now, and to help guide future decisions. It looked at costs to deliver services, whether there are enough physiotherapists to meet demand, and whether there are opportunities to improve the way ACC commissions physiotherapy services. Specialist physiotherapy and hand therapy were not included in the scope of the review. 

Key findings 

Sapere’s analysis drew on a wide range of data sources, including surveys, sector engagement, and financial and market information. Key findings include: 

• ACC-funded physiotherapy claims are increasing more rapidly than population growth and slightly faster than other ACC claims 
• The physiotherapy workforce is unevenly distributed, and private practice workforce growth has exceeded population growth in recent years 
• There are significant inequities by socioeconomic deprivation, ethnicity, and rurality 
• The provider market is consolidating, with large practices gaining market share and now employing more physiotherapists than smaller practices 
• Current ACC commissioning settings are contributing to pressure on Scheme sustainability, as well as causing equity and access challenges for New Zealanders 
• Cost modelling shows ACC’s contribution is reasonable, enabling practices to cover their costs when combined with sufficient service utilisation and a suitable co-payment.  

These findings provide a transparent, independent view of the challenges facing the sector and opportunities to improve how physiotherapy services are commissioned and delivered.

Video | Sapere Physiotherapy market review summary

In this video, Sapere walks through their approach and the key findings from the co-commissioned market review.