Impairment assessments

Who is this service for? 

People who have a permanent impairment from a covered physical or mental injury are entitled to an independent impairment assessment. This determines their eligibility to either a one-off lump sum payment (for injuries after 1st April 2002) or regular payment of an independence allowance for the duration of the impairment (for injuries prior to 1st April 2002). These payments are non-taxable and paid in addition to other ACC entitlements such as weekly compensation. 

The level of compensation to be paid to a client is based on a medical assessment, called an impairment assessment, defined by specific guidelines and international standards. 

Only permanent and stable injuries are rated for compensation. Impairment is usually assessed at least 12 months after the injury, or several months after the last treatment intervention. ‘Permanent’ means that functional loss is established, and the impairment rating is not likely to change over the next 12 months with or without treatment. ‘Stability’ means the impairment is unlikely to improve over the next 12 months. 

We need more assessors, could you help? 

The Impairment Assessment Services contract is an opportunity for medical practitioners to work with us to assess a client’s permanent injury impairment to ensure the provision of consistent and equitable Independence Allowance and Lump Sum entitlements.  

To work on this contract, you need to be a medical practitioner with at least general registration and three years’ post-registration clinical experience. ACC will facilitate the required training and ongoing support is provided to assessors. ACC are required to appoint appropriate Impairment Assessors in accordance with the Accident Compensation Act 2001 and Impairment Assessment Services Schedule.