ACC Integrated Care Pathway (ICP): faster injury recovery in NZ

When an injury is complex - involving multiple needs, slow progress or barriers to recovery - a single-service approach often isn’t enough.

The ACC Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) is designed for these exact situations: bringing together the right mix of clinical services under a single, coordinated framework so that recovery is faster, better joined-up and less stressful to navigate.

Habit Health is an approved ACC provider delivering ICP and a wide range of ACC programmes nationwide. Here’s what you need to know.

What is the ACC Integrated Care Pathway?

The Integrated Care Pathway or ICP is ACC’s coordination model for people with more complex back, knee or shoulder injury-related needs. Rather than receiving a series of disconnected appointments across multiple providers, a person on the ICP gets a structured, multidisciplinary programme with defined phases, clear recovery goals and regular communication between their treatment team and ACC.

The aim is to reduce unnecessary delays, prevent people from falling through the gaps between services, and support a return to work, daily activities and full function as efficiently as possible.

An important point: neither patients nor referrers need to request ICP specifically. Habit Health’s referral team triages every referral and determines whether the ICP — or another ACC programme - is the right fit. One referral is all it takes.

Who is ICP for?

ICP is available to people with ACC cover whose injury recovery would benefit from coordinated, multidisciplinary support. It is typically suited to people who:

Have an accepted ACC claim for a complex musculoskeletal injury (back, neck, shoulder, knee or other joints) that requires specialist review.
Have not progressed as expected through standard physiotherapy
Have multiple overlapping needs — physical, psychological or vocational
Are at risk of developing long-term disability or chronic pain if not well supported
Need supported return to work alongside clinical rehabilitation

Your treating physiotherapist, GP or specialist can refer directly to Habit Health. ACC itself and other authorised parties can also initiate referrals.

How does the ICP work?

Single referral, triaged by our team

Once a referral is received, Habit Health’s coordination team assesses the person’s needs and places them into the most appropriate programme - whether that’s ICP or another ACC service. We make contact with the client within one business day of receiving and confirming the referral.

Comprehensive initial assessment

Your first appointment establishes a detailed picture of your injury, functional capacity, goals and any flags that may affect recovery. From this, a structured, individualised rehabilitation plan is developed with clear milestones.

Multidisciplinary active treatment

Treatment is evidence-based and coordinated across disciplines as needed - which may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, vocational rehabilitation and other services depending on your situation. You don’t need to manage referrals between these yourself; Habit Health coordinates it.

Regular progress reviews

Structured reviews at set intervals ensure your recovery stays on track. If progress isn’t meeting expected milestones, your team adapts the plan early - rather than waiting for problems to compound. ACC is kept informed throughout, reducing the administrative burden on you and your referrer.

Return to activity and discharge planning

The programme is outcomes-focused. As you approach your goals, your team prepares a discharge plan that supports your transition back to full activity and includes strategies to reduce the risk of re-injury or relapse.

The broader ACC programme suite at Habit Health

ICP is one part of a much wider range of ACC and private insurer programmes that Habit Health delivers nationwide. Depending on your needs, support may also include:

Pain Management Service (PMS) - for persistent and complex pain
Concussion services - assessment and rehabilitation for mild to moderate traumatic brain injury
Psychological services - injury-related psychological assessment and treatment
Vocational rehabilitation - Stay at Work, Back to Work and Job Support services
Sensitive claims services - trauma-informed psychological care
Social rehabilitation, nursing, equipment and housing support

You can review a full overview of Habit Health’s ACC programmes here.

Getting the right support after an injury shouldn't be complicated

Whether you're dealing with a fresh injury or feel like you've been stuck for a while, you don't need to figure out which programme or service is right for you. Get in touch with Habit Health and we'll sort the rest — one referral, one call and our team takes it from there.

Get in touch

Frequently asked
questions

Does it cost me anything to access the ACC ICP?

If your ACC claim is accepted, the cost of ICP treatment is covered by ACC. You should not face out-of-pocket costs for the programme itself. Speak to our team or contact ACC directly if you have questions about your specific claim.

Do I — or my doctor — need to ask for ICP specifically?

No. Send one referral to Habit Health and our coordination team will triage it and determine whether ICP or another ACC programme is the right fit for your needs. Referrers do not need to identify or request specific services.

How quickly will I be contacted after referral?

Once a referral is received and confirmed, Habit Health makes contact with the client within one business day.

How do I access ACC programmes through Habit Health?

Health professionals, ACC, insurers and other authorised parties can refer via a single referral to our coordination team.

What if I’m not improving as expected?

The ICP’s structured review process is designed to catch this early. If progress isn’t on track, your team adapts the plan and communicates this to ACC — you don’t need to manage this yourself.

Are services available across all of New Zealand?

Yes. Habit Health delivers ACC programmes across New Zealand, with local in-person delivery where available and telehealth options used where clinically appropriate. Our referral team manages regional coordination, so referrers don’t need to identify locations or providers.

ACC Integrated Care Pathway (ICP): coordinated injury recovery that works