What am I paying ACC for?

[aff-man]

Got into an accident about a month ago....

First time in 8 years of riding I needed an ambo called out to check that I was ok, they said they recommend going to hospital but I had to sort out the bike and such... in hindsite probably should have gone...Wasn't my fault as said by coppers and insurance company.

3 weeks later letter in the mail saying that ACC doesn't cover all of the ambo fee and so need to pay $70

Bring on privatised health care, at least then I know all the costs involved sheeeesh

[onearmedbandit]

Must be different down here in Christchurch, both times I'vebeen carted away in a rig I haven't had to pay.

[bogan]

another of the changes they put through recently I'm guessing? I didnt have to pay a cent bout 6 years ago for my ambo ride.

[Mom]

Got into an accident about a month ago....

First time in 8 years of riding I needed an ambo called out to check that I was ok, they said they recommend going to hospital but I had to sort out the bike and such... in hindsite probably should have gone...Wasn't my fault as said by coppers and insurance company.

3 weeks later letter in the mail saying that ACC doesn't cover all of the ambo fee and so need to pay $70

Bring on privatised health care, at least then I know all the costs involved sheeeesh

Are they asking for the cost of deploying the ambo to the accident scene? I would be very interested in getting more detail of this one. Who called the ambo? Did you make an ACC claim at all? Go to the doctor after for any bumps and bruises?

I currently have 2 bills from ST John for 2 trips I had in an ambo recently. $67.50 each. My claim with ACC has not been accepted yet so I am up for the cost, but ACC have told me they will cover the cost if they accept the claim.

[oldrider]

We are paid up "members" of St John in order to cover that cost, has been there for years as far as we have known it!

[oldrider]

"What are you paying ACC for?" because it is compulsory, you have no choice and no other option, it is a form of TAXATION!

[Mom]

We are paid up "members" of St John in order to cover that cost, has been there for years as far as we have known it!

I dont have an issue paying for my trips, I may even become a member in light of my recent experiences. My Mother is a member, she is a regular ambulance user. But if ACC are supposed to pay for a trip then they should. I read that aff-man did not even get in the ambo but has received a bill, now that does not seem right to me at all.

[MSTRS:Me]

Wellington Free Ambulance isn't free...

[Mom]

Wellington Free Ambulance isn't free...

One of the young men I spoke to at ACC regarding my claim told me not to worry about the ambulance costs as the ambulance service would send the bill to the hospital. I suggested he educate himself a bit better.

[Hanne]

Weird. I know the different regions have different ambulances, but I was not charged anything in 2008

[Mom]

Weird. I know the different regions have different ambulances, but I was not charged anything in 2008

Were you sick or injured Hanne? St John bill ACC if you are injured, or they bill you if you are sick, unless you are a member. I think membership is about $80 per annum. One trip in the ambo is $67.50.

[aff-man]

yip 67.50

I have a registered ACC number for the inccident as I am still getting some work done as I injured myself a little more than I thought on the day... aint adrenaline great ..... that is untill it wears off.
My missus called the ambo as I couldn't see straight and was all over the place.... I had just gone into a car head first at 30km/h.
I did get in said ambo as they didn't want me sitting out in the street while they checked if I could remember my name hahaha
But i then got out again and after about 30 mins they were on their merry way.

Yes I agree I should pay ACC but then I have paid over 2k in the last 8 years as part of my rego cover and now they want more cash for 1 callout. If it's a regular thing then sure I agree that a subsidy of some sort should be paid but for a 1 time accident situation??

[Hanne]

injured. I ran over my foot ><

[rainman]

Bring on privatised health care, at least then I know all the costs involved sheeeesh

It's just the Nats keeping up their battle to destroy ACC in the public eye. Don't let them, is my advice.

All you defenders of private healthcare have yet to answer a few key questions:
- In what other countries does this work really well?
- What would you do differently here to avoid the issues found in countries where it works really badly?
- How does healthcare get cheaper when you have to add in a profit motive?
- How do you deal with pre-existing conditions? This is the biggie.
There are more but those would be a good start.

My example is dental care - I would love decent insurance cover for my teeth, but there is no public option to speak of, the available private cover does not cover even a small portion of the costs (and it's in exchange for a hefty premium, at the top end of their policy offerings), and I can't buy specialist private cover at a reasonable premium because my teeth are already stuffed. How else could this work?

[Icemaestro]

It's actually not as bad here in the states as I once thought ... I've been working here for the past 5-6 months, healthcare insurance is compulsory paid out of my wages by my employer (due to it being a relatively higher risk job). Most dental care here (fillings, check ups, cleaning, x-rays) is completely covered by insurance, all doctor visits I pay 20$ initial fee (unless its an injury at work, which then I pay nothing) most other doctor stuff is 90% covered by insurance...

and for this? I pay about $20 a week...not sure if that's cheaper than acc levies etc but I've had an MRI since Ive been here which costs around 2k (100% covered):-P

The downside? Litigation - having acc in this country gives up our right as NZrs to sue for personal injury. And I'm all for not having the horrible litigation environment they have here in the states, where the doctors are afraid to let you go back to work or do anything until completely clear, for fear of you suing their asses off