ACC makes enhancements to the Accredited Employer Programme

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), along with the support of employers, employees, industry leaders, and Third Party Administrators (TPA), want to build upon the current Accredited Employer Programme (AEP) to ensure that there is an uplift in health and safety, rehabilitation performance, and employee wellness across the Programme.

Enhancements to the AEP are in progress and have come about following ACC’s consultation with businesses, employees and advocacy groups on the future state of ACC’s workplace incentive programmes. The AEP has been considered ACC’s flagship workplace incentive product covering 20% of New Zealand’s full time workforce.

The key proposed changes to the Programme include:

• Moving away from the current audit tool which is intended to be replaced by a performance assessment conducted by an independent assessor who will recommend areas requiring investment by the employer.  The assessment is outcome focussed and the assessor will review the employer’s leadership, employee engagement, and risk management.
• Employers will be required to develop an improvement plan which will provide assurance to ACC that employers are placing continued investment and focus on health, safety and injury prevention that results in a demonstrable reduction in the occurrence of workplace injuries.
• TPA’s and self-managing accredited employers will be required to be certified to manage claims within the AEP. Initially these providers will be required to be certified annually. This proposed change formalises the TPAs role in the AEP.
• Employers will be able to access and track their performance via an online portal.  The results contained within the portal could be shared with employees, supply partners and contractors, customers, and would also provide valuable feedback for their business.

When do the changes come into effect?

ACC expects to start a prototyping process from July 2018 through to April 2019 with a select number of employers when the entry criteria and performance outcomes for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 cover periods are confirmed.

From that point employers and TPAs can begin to build capability so they can work towards meeting the entry requirements of the programme.

At this stage there is expected to be a gradual transition to the new entry requirements and performance outcomes which are expected to be in place by February 2020 for a ‘go-live’ date of April 2020. However, the outcomes of the prototyping process will determine the final timeframes.

Where to find more information:

ACC is now seeking feedback on the proposed changes to the current AEP (‘Product B’).  You can find out more about the proposed changes and provide your feedback by going to www.shapeyouracc.co.nz

ACC is also seeking expressions of interest from those employers who wish to participate in the AEP prototype.  Should your organisation wish to participate email ACC at saferworkplaces@acc.co.nz with ‘AE prototype’ in the subject line?

Please feel free to contact us should you wish to discuss any aspect of the proposed changes to the AEP, and how it could affect your business.