Treatment under our Integrated Care Pathway
If you have suffered an injury to your shoulder, lower back, or knee that may require multiple treatments and rehabilitation services, our Integrated Care Pathway service could be for you.
What is Integrated Care Pathways Musculoskeletal (ICPMSK)?
It is our new service which puts you at the centre of your recovery. You’ll have a team of health professionals who will work together to develop and deliver your recovery plan. This plan could include surgery or non-surgical treatment. Your goals should focus on getting you back to what you enjoy, whether it's work or sport. The team will be there to support you through your recovery until you've achieved these goals.
To help you achieve your goals and focus on recovery, we have removed the financial cost. Under this service you will not pay for treatments. This includes services such as physio, where typically you would pay a fee. Removing this financial cost means you can concentrate on what matters, getting better.
How can I receive care under ICPMSK?
Your health provider, employer or ACC can refer you to a local ICPMSK service provider. They must believe your injury meets the injury and patient criteria before making the referral.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for this service:
- You have suffered a musculoskeletal injury in the lower back, shoulder, and knee regions. Examples include a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff, an AC joint dislocation, or a lumbar disc prolapse that causes radicular pain in the leg.
- The injury occurred within the last 12 months at time of referral.
- The injury is likely to require specialist oversight and interdisciplinary treatment to help you get back to work or regain your independence.
- You plan to reside in Aotearoa New Zealand for the duration of your recovery.
What happens after I’m referred?
A supplier will contact you and take you through some assessments to understand if the service is right for you. The assessments may include the following:
- Physical assessment
- Review of imaging
- Assessment to understand your circumstances and needs
If the service isn't a good fit for you, the provider will inform your GP. They will also recommend other services or support options that might be more appropriate.
What support should I expect under the ICPMSK service?
If this service is right for you, you’ll be assigned an ICP Navigator by the supplier. The ICP Navigator will be your main contact and coordinate your required treatments to help you achieve your goals. They will keep us and your GP up to date along the way and help you access other services such as home help, as well as making sure your cultural needs are met.
The service aims to provide a smooth, integrated and coordinated treatment and rehabilitation. You’ll have a dedicated health team to support you from start to finish. If your recovery hits a bump or things change, we'll work with your team to get you the best outcome possible.
If you’re employed at the time of your injury, your ICP Navigator will talk to your employer about your return to work and what that might look like. They will also keep in contact with your employer throughout your recovery journey.
You may also be eligible for weekly compensation. Your ICP Navigator can help you apply for this.
Our Accredited Employer Programme allows employers to manage their employee injuries and claims if they have had an injury at work. If your injury happened at work, you cannot be referred into ICPMSK.
For injuries experienced outside of work, you can choose to be referred into ICPMSK. To do this, your employer will need to follow the usual process to have your non-work injury claim returned to us for management before you can enter ICPMSK.
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