Seeing an ACC chiropractor in Auckland

What ACC covers

ACC covers treatment for injuries caused by an accident: a sudden event such as a fall, a lifting injury, a sports injury, a car accident or an accident at work. For chiropractic care that usually means sprains, strains and other injuries to the muscles, joints and spine.

Everyone in New Zealand is covered, including visitors, regardless of age or whether you are working. ACC generally covers injuries from accidents that happened within the last 12 months; if it has been longer, talk to us, because it depends on the circumstances.

ACC generally does not cover pain that has come on gradually without an accident, or conditions such as osteoarthritis; those are treated at our standard rates. Some work-related conditions that develop gradually can be covered. ACC decides each claim, and we can talk through whether yours is worth lodging.

How it works

Four steps, and we do most of them with you at the clinic.

1. 1
   Book a first appointment at Remuera or Henderson. You do not need a referral, and you do not need to have seen a doctor first.
2. 2
   Your chiropractor assesses the injury during the appointment and decides whether it is likely to be covered. If you already have an ACC claim for this injury (from a GP, physio or emergency department), bring the claim number and we see you under it; no new claim is needed.
3. 3
   We lodge the claim. Your chiropractor either completes the ACC form with you online or does it for you. Our chiropractors only lodge a claim when they are confident it will be accepted.
4. 4
   Once the claim is accepted, appointments covered by it are charged at the ACC rate. If ACC declines the claim, we let you know straight away.

Ask your chiropractor if you are unsure which rate applies to a particular appointment.

How many appointments does ACC cover?

On an accepted claim, ACC funds an initial number of treatments before any further care needs ACC's approval. For chiropractic care that number is usually 16. It is a review point, not a target or a guarantee. Your chiropractor will explain what ACC has accepted, review your progress as you go and, if your recovery needs more care, discuss the next step with you, which can include asking ACC to approve further treatment. Most people need fewer than that.

If you would like other ACC-covered care alongside chiropractic (for example physiotherapy or acupuncture), ask your chiropractor for your ACC claim number and take it to the other provider.

What you pay

If your claim is accepted, you pay a reduced rate and ACC pays the rest directly to us. The current rates are on the fees page.

Southern Cross and other health insurance

ACC and health insurance are separate. If your problem is not an accident, your health insurance may help with the cost, depending on your policy. We are a Southern Cross Easy-claim provider: with your policy number we can check your cover and, where your policy allows, invoice Southern Cross directly. With any other insurer, you pay at the clinic and we give you a formal receipt so you can claim back from your provider.