When the Equipment and Modification Services Portal is required
These tables provide a guide to when the Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) Portal must be used.
Equipment
| Service type | Is the tool required? |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Health List Equipment (Band 1 Equipment) | Not required |
| All complex equipment not on the Ministry List (Bands 2 & 3, including refurbished items and equipment to be trialled) | Required |
| Like-for-like replacement equipment | Not required |
| Accessories and modifications to equipment if likely to cost less than $5000 (excluding GST) | Not required |
| Accessories and modifications to equipment if likely to cost more than $5000 (excluding GST) | Required |
| Equipment requested through the Service Accreditation process | Not required |
| Spectacles requested through Vision Assistive Technology | Required |
| Spectacles claimed through Children’s Spectacle Subsidy | Not required |
| White mobility canes (available through the Blind Foundation) | Not required |
| Artificial Larynges requested through Communication Assistive Technology | Not required |
| Hearing Aids (provided through the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme and Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme | Not required |
Housing modifications
| Service type | Is the tool required? |
|---|---|
| Basic housing modifications | Required |
| Complex housing modifications | Required |
Vehicle purchase and modifications
| Service type | Is the tool required? |
|---|---|
| Assessment for consideration of vehicle modifications or purchase | Not required |
| Vehicle purchase & modifications | Required |
Chronic health conditions EMS support
(Equipment and Modification Services for people eligible for funding through long-term supports chronic health conditions)
| Service type | Is the tool required? |
|---|---|
| All services ‘Required’ as outlined above | Required |
Grouping items within the same service request
Items can be grouped within the same Service Request when they meet all of the following requirements. Items can be grouped within the same Service Request when they meet all of the following requirements.
- They form a ‘package’ designed to meet the person’s specific needs.
- They are available within the same category of accreditation.
- The items are within the credentialed level that the EMS Assessor holds.
What an equipment package covers
An equipment package covers all components of the solution, ie, the same category of accreditation, which, when combined, forms one solution to meet the person’s specific needs, for example:
- a standard manual wheelchair, tray, seat cushion and backrest (Wheeled Mobility and Postural Management, Level 1)
- a power wheelchair with alternative controller and seating system (Wheeled Mobility and Postural Management, Level 2)
- a bed, mattress and bedrails (Personal Care)
- a communication device, mounting system, switch and specialist software or application (Communication Assistive Technology, Level 1 or Level 2).
Where the package comprises equipment items across 2 credentialed levels (for example, Wheeled Mobility and Postural Management), and the EMS Assessor is only credentialed at Level 1, the EMS Assessor will need to either:
- have a Provisional (in training) credential in the accreditation category* and work alongside or liaise with an appropriately credentialed EMS Assessor during the assessment process and seek approval from this credentialed EMS Assessor during completion of the on-line Prioritisation Tool process
- refer the assessment on to an EMS Assessor who holds the appropriate credentialed level of accreditation.
Where the package comprises equipment items across 2 credentialed levels (for example, Wheeled Mobility and Postural Management Levels 1 & 2), and the EMS Assessor is credentialed at Level 2, the EMS Assessor will be able to submit a Service Request for the total package of items.
*The Provisional (in training) EMS Assessor must have updated their details in the EMS Assessor Accreditation Framework, using Enable New Zealand online system to reflect this status or they will not be able submit a Service Request in that particular category of accreditation.
Related resources
Download a copy of the tables on this page.