Patients using Otago District Health Board physiotherapy services from Monday will not be charged, as the board awaits a Ministry of Health decision about whether it can impose a part-charge.
The board was asked about its plans to charge $10 a visit for accident patients from November 15, when its contract with ACC changes in common with other physiotherapy services.
Free physiotherapy in the private sector is unlikely following the drop in the rate being paid by ACC.
Chief operating officer Vivian Blake said yesterday no-one would be charged yet as the board awaited the review.
