Work with us as a permanent impairment assessor
Medical practitioners can work with us to independently assess client’s entitlement to permanent impairment compensation.
People who sustain 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 compensation (for injuries after 1 April 2002) or regular payment of an independence allowance for the duration of the impairment (for injuries prior to 1 April 2002). These payments are non-taxable and paid in addition to other ACC entitlements such as weekly compensation.
Entitlement to compensation is based on specialist medical 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.
In accordance with the Accident Compensation Act 2001, we appoint and pay appropriate impairment assessors, who are typically specialists in General Practice, Occupational Medicine or Psychiatry. Full training and ongoing support is provided to assessors and hours are flexible.
Find out more
If you’re an experienced medical practitioner who would like to learn more about becoming an impairment assessor we welcome your enquiries.
Email MedicalAssessments@acc.co.nz
Apply now
To apply email us with 'IMPA contract application' in the subject line.