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.

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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 $1000 (excluding GST) Not required
Accessories and modifications to equipment if likely to cost more than $1000 (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.

  1. They form a ‘package’ designed to meet the person’s specific needs.
  2. They are available within the same category of accreditation.
  3. 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.