It is not known when the Otago District Health Board will find out whether it is allowed to impose part-charges for patients receiving physiotherapy following accidents.
Health Minister Tony Ryall this month imposed a moratorium on such payments after the Otago board announced its intention to introduce a $10 charge for patients this week when its ACC physiotherapy contract changed in common with other providers.
In an email response to Otago Daily Times questions, Ministry of Health group manager (strategy unit, health and disability systems strategy directorate) Mark Booth advised the ministry would be carrying out "policy work on wider issues" related to the change and its potential health-sector impact.
The ministry had asked district health boards to nominate members for a team of clinicians and managers to assist with this policy work process.
A question relating to why the possibility district health boards might want to introduce charges had not been addressed earlier was answered neither by the Ministry of Health, nor by Mr Ryall's own office.