The consultation will run from 17 December 2014 to 27 January 2015. The consultation document, and information on how to make a submission, is available at  http://www.dol.govt.nz/consultation/acc-payments-for-treatment/ .

The proposal is to provide an additional contribution under the regulations to encourage GPs to provide free visits to children under 13 years. The new under 13s contribution will replace the current contribution provided for GP visits by children under six.

The proposed additional contribution is an extra $22 excl. GST ($25.30 incl. GST) on top of the standard adult rate. The contribution change will be applied to consultation rates for:  

• GP only visits
• Combined GP/nurse visits.

For every GP only visit by a child under 13 ACC would be contributing $52.85 excl. GST ($60.78 incl. GST) and for every GP/nurse visit by a child under 13 ACC would be contributing $55.73 excl. GST ($64.09 incl. GST).

ACC pays for every visit by a child under 13 years. ACC will make the same contribution towards GP costs regardless of the number of visits by the child.

We look forward to receiving your submissions by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 27 January 2015.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to marilynh@nzno.org.nz  by  22 January 2015.