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ACC Assessments

If you’ve been injured in an accident and require an ACC assessment and ongoing injury treatment, we have you covered with 24/7 care through our extensive clinic network.

When it comes to seeking medical care after an accident or injury, it's essential to know about the assistance provided by ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) and the different injuries and conditions it covers.

Why use us for ACC?

If you get injured in an accident, come and see us first. As ACC-approved treatment providers, we can assess your injury, determine whether it will likely be covered by ACC, and make an ACC claim for you. 

At our White Cross Urgent Care clinics, you will be asked to pay a co-payment on your first visit, however, follow up visits are free. Please be aware that some materials, e.g., casts, also attract a co-payment.

ACC assessments at Local Doctors are free for enrolled patients, and accessible and affordable for casual patients. Appointments are welcome in any of our 40+ locations, and walk-ins are available in the following Urgent Care & GP clinics: Local Doctors Ōtara, from 8am to 11pm, Māngere Town Centre, Browns Road, Dawson Road, Glen Innes and Mt Roskill. These clinics are open 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm. We encourage you to check clinic wait times online before you leave, so you can get timely care you need.

We also have 24/7 ACC care available at select White Cross Urgent Care clinics that can help you with your injury outside of normal hours: Ascot 24/7 and Henderson 24/7. You can also walk-in from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, at Glenfield Urgent Care & GP, Lunn Ave Urgent Care & GP, New Lynn Urgent Care & GP, St. Lukes Urgent Care, Ōtāhuhu Urgent Care and Whangarei Urgent Care, from 7.30am to 8pm. White Cross Northmed - GP is an appointment-based clinic that opens from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm. 

Ongoing accident and injury management

If your accident is considered a minor injury, such as cleaning and bandaging wounds, suturing wounds, or removing stitches, some of our Local Doctors GP clinics accept walk-in patients and would be the ideal place for you to go.

Typically, when you've sustained a significant injury, we recommend you visit a White Cross Urgent Care or Local Doctors Urgent Care clinic for immediate assessment and treatment. However, following up with your local doctor is advised for continuous injury management.

Examples of injuries covered by ACC:

Empowering yourself with an understanding of the treatments and services covered by ACC enables you to make informed decisions regarding your healthcare. It is crucial that you communicate with your nurse and doctor about what happened, as it will help you receive the support you need to start your recovery journey.

Visit ACC's website for more.

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Our urgent care clinics specialise in treating illnesses and injuries that need urgent attention. Use our search to find a clinic near you.

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  • <ul> <li>A construction worker falling from a scaffolding and suffering injuries, including broken bones. </li> <li>Tendonitis from overusing muscles or heavy lifting.</li> <li>Gradual hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud machinery in a workplace.</li> <li>Infections or diseases from exposure to certain environments.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li><em>Sprains or strains</em>- Having shoulder sprains or twisting an ankle, knee or back while playing sports.</li> <li><em>Concussion and loss of consciousness</em>- Being involved in a car accident and experiencing a temporary loss of consciousness due to a head injury.</li> <li><em>Fractures </em>- Falling from a height and sustaining a fractured arm or leg.</li> <li><em>Dislocations </em>- Can occur through sports activities or physical altercations.</li> <li><em>Wounds (cut, broken or bruised skin) </em>- Accidentally cutting oneself while cooking and requiring medical attention for the wound.</li> <li><em>Burns </em>- From hot water while attempting to prepare a bath or from touching a hot stove while preparing a meal.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>As a result of sexual assault.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>A patient undergoes surgery and, due to a medical error, experiences complications that result in additional injuries.</li> <li>A registered health professional was administering the treatment.</li> <li>It's not a typical side effect of the treatment.</li> <li>Repeat injuries from a previous treatment already covered by them.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>A child is born with a congenital condition that requires long-term medical care and treatment.</li> <li>Maternal birth injuries (on or after 12 am on 1 October 2022) - Such as having complications during childbirth leading to injuries that require medical attention and support.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>A person sustains a traumatic brain injury in a severe accident, leading to long-term cognitive and physical disabilities. </li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>Getting hit in the face during a sports game and experiencing a broken tooth.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>Post-traumatic stress disorder after a physical assault or mental injury arising from medical treatment.</li> <li>If you've experienced, seen or heard a traumatic event at work, such as a robbery.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>an accident.</li> <li>a work-related disease or infection.</li> <li>a treatment injury being covered by ACC.</li> <li>a self-inflicted injury (in some circumstances).</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li><em>Tattoo Infections</em> - When the infection leads to a more serious health issue and requires medical treatment.</li> <li><em>Sea lice, mosquito and insect bites</em> – they are not usually considered a part of our everyday life and, because their bites are usually uncomfortable and irritating, ACC covers.</li> <li><em>Allergies</em> – Usually when there is an anaphylactic reaction or infection caused by itchy skin.</li> </ul>

Injuries usually not covered by ACC

  • <ul> <li>Include measles and other contagious ailments.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>Emotional conditions are generally not covered unless directly linked to an ongoing injury.</li> </ul>

  • (except when directly caused by work-related activities)

    • Degenerative joint diseases.
    • Hearing loss.
    • Vision deterioration.
    • Cognitive decline or dementia.
    • Arthritis
    • Osteoporosis

  • <ul> <li>Most Hernias</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li>Wheelchairs and mobility aids.</li> <li>Dental bridges or crowns.</li> <li>Hearing implants.</li> <li>Artificial joints or implants.</li> <li>Cosmetic enhancements (e.g., botox injections).</li> <li>Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.</li> <li>Gastric bands and similar items that do not replace body parts.</li> </ul>

  • <ul> <li><strong>Sunburn</strong> - ACC does not typically cover sunburn, only if it leads to a more severe condition, such as skin cancer.</li> <li><strong>Flea and Bed bug bites</strong> – they are usually considered a part of our everyday life and, because of that, not covered under ACC – unless there is an infection caused by itchy skin.</li> <li><strong>Car accident</strong> – A wellness check after a car accident is not covered by ACC and you might be charged a doctor’s fee - unless there is physical injury.</li> </ul>

Find your nearest ACC clinic

What's ACC?

ACC means Accident Compensation Corporation and is a unique and comprehensive system in New Zealand designed to support those who have suffered injuries whether at home, at work, practising sports, from medical treatment or even maternal birth. 

It provides everyone, citizens, residents or visitors, compulsory insurance coverage for personal injuries. Regardless of the circumstances or who's at fault, if you've had an accident in New Zealand that's left you with an injury, some of your medical and rehabilitation treatment, costs and support may be covered by ACC to help you get back on your feet.

Eligibility

To be eligible for ACC coverage, you must have experienced a personal injury due to an accident or sexual violence, or sustained injuries that are long-term or permanent. This means that ACC will cover injuries from sprains through to permanent disability but won't cover the likes of general illness, non-work-related gradual process injuries, diseases, infections, age-related conditions, and mental injury (except for some very specific instances). 

ACC claiming process

If you happen to get injured while overseas for work or on holiday, ACC may still pay for related treatment or rehabilitation upon your return to New Zealand, provided you were not overseas for more than 6 months or on a one-way ticket when the injury occurred. ACC will contact you in relation to your travel.

If ACC accepts your injury was caused by an accident, they will decide how much of the ongoing management of that injury will be funded. If you're unsure whether your injury is covered by ACC, a clinic nurse or doctor at any of our Local Doctors and White Cross clinics can help. 

Claims can be made up to 12 months after your injury. ACC may still assess claims made after this period if there's a valid reason for the delayed submission.

Next, ACC will confirm if you're covered. You may first receive a text advising you what is happening with your claim. You will then receive a letter confirming whether ACC has covered your injury. You will typically receive this letter within a week of submitting your claim. If ACC doesn't cover your claim, they will let you know why in your letter.

If your claim is successful, ACC will contribute towards the ongoing treatment and management of your injury. You may also receive additional support for home help and transport, and if you can't work because of your injury, they can help with your income.

If your ACC claim is denied, we will then pass on our medical consultation fee for payment relating to the declined ACC consultations.