29 April 2021
William T Francis
[FYI request #15021 email]
Tēnā koe William
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-010038
Thank you for your request of 29 March 2021, asking the following, under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act):
Please confirm whether or not Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is considered a disability by ACC,
… leveraging these MoH guidelines
… Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Read Code F286)
Response to your request
You have asked us to answer your question regarding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Under the Act, a distinction exists between a request for information already known and held by an
agency (official information), versus a request for an agency to form an opinion or provide an
explanation or comment, and thus create new information to answer a request (not official
information).
You are asking ACC to provide a comment on whether an injury diagnosis is a disability. Accordingly, we
are refusing to respond to this question. Further information about official information requests can be
found in the Ombudsman’s guide
Making official information requests. This is available on the
Ombudsman’s website, here:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/making-official-information-
requests-guide-requesters.
However, to assist you understand how the Scheme works, I am providing you the information below.
How ACC determines the appropriate support(s) for a client
Below is information about how ACC determines the appropriate support(s) for a client, such as a client
with an injury diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Read Code F286).
The support, treatment and rehabilitation ACC provides clients takes into account our legislative
requirements, and consideration of the specific circumstances of each person and the effect the covered
injury has on them. To make decisions, we rely on the professional advice and assessments of health
professionals, and apply staff’s expertise in the provisions of our legislation.
Read codes
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Read Code F286) is an injury diagnosis.
Read codes, such as this one, are used when a qualified health practitioner lodges an ACC45 injury claim
form or updates a diagnosis on an existing claim. Further information about the process of lodging an
ACC claim, including the use of Read Codes is available on the ACC website here:
www.acc.co.nz/for-
providers/lodging-claims/lodging-a-claim-for-a-patient/.
GOV-010038
ACC’s definition of serious injury
The severity of disability definition you provided is specific to the 2001 Household Disability Survey
screening questionnaire.
As we are a no-fault Scheme, the severity of an injury is not material for ACC to make a cover decision.
Rather than by severity of injury or disability, we classify claims as
serious injury claims,
entitlement
claims,
other and
medical fees only claims.
ACC’s definition of
serious injury is an injury, generally a traumatic brain injury or spinal injury, that
results in a person having lifelong interactions with ACC.
Entitlement claims generally cover moderate to serious injuries and the person is eligible for
entitlements. Examples of these entitlements include: compensation for loss of earnings; allowances for
attendant care and childcare, and provision of wheelchairs and other equipment.
Medical fees only claims are those where ACC has made payments for treatment, such as that provided
by a GP, physiotherapist or dentist, but where the client has not received any entitlements.
How to contact us
If you have any questions, you can email me at
[email address].
Nāku iti noa, nā
Sasha Wood
Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement & Support
Accident Compensation Corporation
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