New Zealand approves first non-invasive BCI for disability support — EEG wheelchair control reimbursed
Summary
New Zealand's Ministry of Health approved reimbursement of EEG-based powered wheelchair control systems for patients with locked-in syndrome or high-level quadriplegia through the Accident Compensation Corporation disability support scheme. The approval covers two CE-marked EEG BCI systems and represents the first national reimbursement of a non-invasive BCI for mobility in any country.
Why it matters
New Zealand's national BCI wheelchair reimbursement is a global first and creates a reimbursement template that other national health systems can reference. ACC coverage eliminates the $15,000-30,000 out-of-pocket cost barrier that has prevented most locked-in patients from accessing EEG mobility BCIs.
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