Physiotherapy — funded treatment Rongoā haumanu korikori nā te Poari Hauora i utu

Your GP may refer you to a local private physiotherapy clinic for funded treatment.

To be eligible, you need to meet all these criteria:

• you have a condition that affects your muscles, joints or bones that makes it very difficult to do your normal work and social activities.
• your condition is not covered by ACC
• you hold a Community Services Card and could not otherwise afford private physiotherapy
• your healthcare provider has tried all other funding options (such as Work and Income Disability Allowance).
• you agree to attend the physiotherapy clinic, do the exercises and follow the physiotherapist's advice
• you could benefit from a short course of physiotherapy.

The process

Referral

If you meet all these criteria, your healthcare provider will send an electronic referral to the local physiotherapy clinic. The clinic will then contact you to arrange your first appointment.

If you have not heard from the clinic within a week, call them to check when you can get an appointment.

Your first appointment

At your first appointment, you will need to complete a consent form and paperwork. If you need an interpreter, the physiotherapist will arrange this for free. The interpreter will be on speakerphone during your appointment.

Your treatment

Your physiotherapist will give you exercises to do at home to make sure you get the best possible result. If you have any concerns between your appointments, contact your physiotherapist directly.

Once you have finished the treatment, your healthcare provider will receive a brief report. This will include information about how you have progressed.

The funding covers a limited number of treatments over 3 to 6 months. If you cannot attend an appointment, contact the clinic to cancel it. If you do not attend and do not cancel, part of your funding may be used to cover the clinic's costs.