ACC Podiatry and Injury Treatment

Yes. You can book directly with an ACC registered podiatrist without first seeing your GP. If you do not already have a claim, we can assess the injury and lodge a claim where appropriate. If you already have a claim, please provide your ACC claim number and the date of your accident.

You do not need a referral for an initial podiatry assessment. However, some services, devices or more complex treatment pathways may require additional information or approval from ACC. We will let you know if this applies to you.

Yes. If your symptoms follow an identifiable accident, we can assess the injury and submit a claim to ACC on your behalf where appropriate. ACC will then decide whether the injury meets its cover requirements.

If possible, bring:

• Your ACC claim number, if you have one
• The date and details of the accident
• Any letters or information from ACC
• Relevant X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI reports
• A list of current medications
• The footwear, braces or orthoses you commonly use
• Details of other clinicians involved in your recovery

Do not delay seeking an assessment if you do not have all this information. We can help identify what is needed.

ACC generally covers physical injuries caused by an accident. Examples include sprains, strains, wounds, fractures and dislocations.

The accident might happen:

• At home
• At work
• On the road
• During sport or recreation
• While visiting New Zealand
• During healthcare or treatment, in some circumstances

ACC generally does not cover pain or disability caused solely by ageing, illness or gradual wear and tear. However, some work related gradual process injuries and treatment injuries may qualify under specific criteria.

No. ACC injuries are not limited to workplace or sporting accidents. An eligible injury can happen at home, on the road, during recreation or while completing an everyday activity. What matters is whether there was an accident that caused a physical injury, not where it happened or who was at fault.

Yes. ACC may cover physical injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. We can assess lower limb problems resulting from road trauma, including foot and ankle injuries, fractures, altered walking, nerve damage, muscle weakness and foot drop. The treatment or equipment ACC approves will depend on your covered diagnosis and individual needs.

In some circumstances, an injury caused by medical treatment may qualify as a treatment injury. Treatment injury claims can be more complex and may require clinical information from the professionals or hospital involved. If you develop a foot or lower limb problem following treatment or surgery, we can assess the problem and help determine the appropriate next step. ACC makes the final cover decision.

An ingrown toenail is not automatically covered by ACC. However, if a nail problem results from an identifiable accident, such as dropping something on the toe, stubbing it or sustaining a crush injury, it may qualify. We will take a history, assess the injury and lodge a claim where appropriate. If nail surgery is clinically necessary, further ACC approval or conditions may apply.

Possibly. An older injury may still be assessed if it continues to cause symptoms, particularly when there is an existing accepted claim. ACC must be satisfied that your current symptoms and treatment needs relate to the covered injury. Further information or approval may be required when considerable time has passed or when the diagnosis has changed. Please provide your original claim number if you have it.

You can still see us. Please give us your ACC claim number and tell us who has already assessed or treated the injury. With your permission, we may request relevant clinical notes or imaging. If we identify an additional injury diagnosis, we may be able to ask ACC to add it to your existing claim. ACC will decide whether the additional diagnosis is covered.

Treatment depends on the nature and stage of your injury. It may include:

• Advice about activity and load management
• Strapping or padding
• Footwear recommendations
• Rehabilitation and strengthening exercises
• Foot mobilisation therapy
• Shockwave or other clinic based therapies when appropriate
• Prefabricated or custom foot orthoses
• Ankle, knee or ankle foot bracing
• Orthopaedic footwear modifications
• Nail or minor surgical treatment following trauma
• Referral for diagnostic imaging
• Referral to a GP, physiotherapist, orthopaedic specialist or another provider

Not every treatment is suitable or funded for every injury. Your podiatrist will explain the recommended plan and any associated costs.

Usually not. ACC generally contributes towards eligible injury treatment rather than paying the entire cost. A patient surcharge can apply to most appointments at Masterton Foot Clinic. For patients referred by a specialist, including those who are off work because of their injury, we reserve the right to waive the surcharge. Please contact our team if you would like to confirm the current appointment fee before booking.

ACC may contribute towards orthoses, braces, specialised footwear or modifications when they are clinically necessary for an accepted injury. Some devices require prior approval. The amount ACC contributes and any patient contribution will depend on:

• Your accepted injury
• The device being recommended
• ACC's approval requirements
• The relevant ACC funding pathway
• Whether additional features or upgrades are requested

We will explain the proposed device, approval process and likely costs before ordering or manufacturing it.

Yes. You can choose from the podiatrists available for ACC appointments. If you have a complex injury, foot drop or require specialised orthotic or bracing management, our reception team can help direct you to the most appropriate clinician.

Where imaging is clinically indicated, we can refer for certain investigations or coordinate this through your GP or another provider. ACC cover for imaging depends on the accepted injury, the type of imaging and any applicable approval requirements.

If ACC declines the claim, you can still choose to continue with assessment or treatment privately. Our podiatrists may lodge an ACC claim on your behalf at their discretion. However, your injury must meet ACC's specific cover criteria, and ACC makes the final decision about whether a claim or treatment is approved. If your injury or treatment is not approved by ACC, you agree to reimburse Masterton Foot Clinic at the applicable private rate. We will discuss the relevant costs with you where possible.

You can manage many aspects of your claim through MyACC, including viewing claim information, requesting support and checking payments. You can also contact ACC's claims team on 0800 101 996, Monday to Friday.

ACC may contribute towards travel for approved treatment or rehabilitation when its eligibility criteria are met. Distance thresholds and prior approval requirements may apply.

Visitors who are injured in an accident while in New Zealand may be eligible for ACC cover, even if they are not New Zealand residents. ACC does not replace travel insurance and does not necessarily cover every cost associated with an injury.