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Western Leader
April 6, 2002
Doctors fear fraudulent claims
by Stephen Forbes
The return of ACC lump sum payments for
sexual abuse victims could lead to a deluge of fraudulent claims, says the
spokesman for a west Auckland
doctors' group.
Dr Johnson believes the system will only work if
claimants are dealt with by their family GP.
"The key is to have some consistency," he
says.
"It's the role of knowing the most about a
patient and having continuity of care. A doctor may know a family over 15
years. It's that ability and knowledge that will make it work.
"I don't think it would be good if patients
shop around for a doctor to fill things out."
The new system, launched on April 1, requires a GP
to file an ACC claim, on behalf of the victim, indicating sexual abuse.
The claim must prove that the abuse has led to
mental impairment. It must specify what has happened and include a diagnosis
of the mental injury.
There is no requirement for a complaint to be laid
with the police.
Patients approved by their GPs will be entitled to
counselling which will be used to produce a detailed report.
Lump sum payments are for a permanent impairment of
10 per cent or more. A claimant can receive between $2500 and $100 000,
depending on the level of impairment.
Dr Johnson says he will be on guard with claimants
and advises other GPs to do the same.
"If there's no record of the patient coming to
me, or a record of the patient needing help, I won't fill out the form,"
he says.
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