ACC - Pre-existing thoughts

[thealmightytaco]

After seeing our friend up the Cathedral the other day, and then getting an ACC bill in the mail, I got to thinking...

I have:
- 2 bikes and 2 cars, (aka 4 acc levied rego's, soon to get worse)
- A small gst registered business that just had to pay ACC levies around the cost of a new Shoei XR1000
- A regular dayjob that also has to pay levies for me
- and most importantly, a pre-existing back injury

Now, what's the bet that if I have an accident, my pre-injured back gives way easier than it should have. And if that happens, that ACC tell me I get nothing because of it, making my $2000+ in annual ACC levies completely farkin' worthless.

Why am I paying for ACC? Why can I not just pay for my rego's and then sort my own accident insurance? Because my current provider is certainly not living up to expectations. The now pre-existing injury they originally weasled out of too, using a "self inflicted" excuse (WARNING - no matter how cool one arm press ups are, don't try to do 52 of them on each arm, and always drink plenty of milk, stress fractures in your back are not cool).

Hmmmm, not sure what else to say there, but it's seriously pissing me off knowing I'm paying all this money in the knowledge that I've only got a fraction of gnats arse chance of it ever being worthwhile. I'm sure I'm not alone here.

What's the appropriate course of action? Constantly call ACC and every minister in the country till an opt out and alternative providers come into existence? Or ACC is forced to help all, which was it's point in the beginning, before the meiser's raped and pillaged it?

Piss damn fart.

Rant complete. But not over.

[RentaTriumph]

After seeing our friend up the Cathedral the other day, and then getting an ACC bill in the mail, I got to thinking...

I have:
- 2 bikes and 2 cars, (aka 4 acc levied rego's, soon to get worse)
- A small gst registered business that just had to pay ACC levies around the cost of a new Shoei XR1000
- A regular dayjob that also has to pay levies for me
- and most importantly, a pre-existing back injury

Now, what's the bet that if I have an accident, my pre-injured back gives way easier than it should have. And if that happens, that ACC tell me I get nothing because of it, making my $2000+ in annual ACC levies completely farkin' worthless.

Why am I paying for ACC? Why can I not just pay for my rego's and then sort my own accident insurance? Because my current provider is certainly not living up to expectations. The now pre-existing injury they originally weasled out of too, using a "self inflicted" excuse (WARNING - no matter how cool one arm press ups are, don't try to do 52 of them on each arm, and always drink plenty of milk, stress fractures in your back are not cool).

Hmmmm, not sure what else to say there, but it's seriously pissing me off knowing I'm paying all this money in the knowledge that I've only got a fraction of gnats arse chance of it ever being worthwhile. I'm sure I'm not alone here.

What's the appropriate course of action? Constantly call ACC and every minister in the country till an opt out and alternative providers come into existence? Or ACC is forced to help all, which was it's point in the beginning, before the meiser's raped and pillaged it?

Piss damn fart.

Rant complete. But not over.

Because Nick Smiths plan is working to perfection. He is trying to build up a huge hatred towards ACC by getting them to use claim the system is broke when it isn't thus nessetating ACC increases for registrations and employee contributions. They are also using the word "Degenerative" to any poor sod over the age of 40 as an excuse for a preexisting injury so they don't have to pay physio or surgery costs. Seems strange one day you are capable of lifting shitloads in your everyday job then you full over tearing a major internal ligamnet in the shoulder needing immediate surgery to correct "but oh no it was degenerative".

There will be so much hatred for ACC everyone will willingly endorse privatisation which is sad as a Year ago everything was good irrespective of what Nick and ACC are saying. I see they recently made another Billion off their overseas investments.

[rainman]

Why am I paying for ACC? Why can I not just pay for my rego's and then sort my own accident insurance?

Because you won't be able to buy private cover at a reasonable premium. I also have a back issue and can't get private healthcare that provides cover for it, I have tried. I do have disability insurance which I bought before I injured myself. I will just about go without food before I stop paying that premium - if I let it lapse I will never get it back again. (And unless I get a steady income lined up sometime soon, I will probably have to sell my bike to keep on paying it :( ).

[Conquiztador]

And so, the fight to get the Woodhouse Principle back in action should be in every NZ's interest!

[thealmightytaco]

Yeah I'm just havin' a big fat whinge really, it's all a bit diabolical the number of things they can weasle out of now though, having a read through their "Am I Covered" page shortly after ranting, I found my problem under RentaTriumph's degenerative type term but if done outside if work was only time they could pull out on it, if degenerated due to work then they have to pay up. Check it out:

http://www.acc.co.nz/making-a-claim/am-i-covered/index.htm?ref=footer

Under "What Am I Covered For?" you'll see:
- a condition that comes on gradually because of your work (gradual process)

This same thing is then roughly restated under "What Doesn't ACC Cover?" thusly:
- injuries that come on gradually and are not due to a work task (non-occupational gradual process injuries).

So essentially if you do it at work you're good, if it's from any other facet of your life, you're screwed.

And unfortunately you could be right on your last point too Renta, the hatred will only simmer and then explode. Hopefully labour get someone with balls back leading it sooner rather than later.

[thealmightytaco]

And so, the fight to get the Woodhouse Principle back in action should be in every NZ's interest!

And yes to this, I'd not heard of it till just then and I havent read it all, but yes the basic premise sounds good. I like this line especially:
"Since we all persist in following community activities, which year by year exact a predictable and inevitable price in bodily injury, so we should all share in sustaining those who become the random but statistically necessary victims. The inherent cost of these community purposes should be borne on the basis of equity by the community."

It could be a bit late though and there's probably more to it that rules it out, but for now, I agree.

[mashman]

Welcome to the blame game... if it's not your fault then it's someone, or something elses... you pay ACC for your future health across a lifetime... yes you PAY ACROSS A LIFETIME and get told to fuck off because it'll cost too much $$$ to "fix" you and it was "bound" to happen... We are not being looked after in the same manner as our parents because we cost too much... The fault however, the fault is the govt's... they make the "rules" and control the purse strings at ACC... THEY want to boost salaries and compete in a global market... THEY are the ones that are ramping up the cost of living so that health care can no longer be afforded... why are we letting funding dictate the outcome of a claim for injured people... Soon it'll be, if you ain't got money, fuck off... or get a job, or do as your told etc... smells like a policed state to me...

I'm still here and ready to fight some more... guess we'll see what the future holds...

[Maha]

Welcome to the blame game... if it's not your fault then it's someone, or something elses... you pay ACC for your future health across a lifetime... yes you PAY ACROSS A LIFETIME and get told to fuck off because it'll cost too much $$$ to "fix" you and it was "bound" to happen... We are not being looked after in the same manner as our parents because we cost too much... The fault however, the fault is the govt's... they make the "rules" and control the purse strings at ACC... THEY want to boost salaries and compete in a global market... THEY are the ones that are ramping up the cost of living so that health care can no longer be afforded... why are we letting funding dictate the outcome of a claim for injured people... Soon it'll be, if you ain't got money, fuck off... or get a job, or do as your told etc... smells like a policed state to me...

I'm still here and ready to fight some more... guess we'll see what the future holds...

Good onya Mash, May 1st in Auckland is where it all starts again.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/121906-Auckland-City-Compass-protest-ride