Elective Surgery
Red List
Procedures
Elective Surgery – Red List Procedures
Definition
Elective surgery red list procedures are:

relatively complex

high cost

low volume.
ACC works with the speciality associations to define which surgeries are:

complex

need additional skills and experience.
The table below shows the Red List procedures in the 2015 Elective Surgery contract. It is
subject to change as procedures become more mainstream or available. The procedures can
only be performed by a specialist who has Red List status with ACC. See Applying for Red List
status at the end of this document.
Red List
Code
Procedure Description
AFT72
Ankle replacement
ELF10
Total Elbow Replacement
HIT50
Hip Arthroscopy simple
HIT51
Hip Arthroscopy proceed to open surgery- simple
HIT52
Hip open surgery - simple
HIT60
Hip Arthroscopy Complex 1
HIT61
Hip Arthroscopy proceed to open surgery -complex
HIT62
Hip open surgery - complex
HIT70
Hip Arthroscopic Surgery – Complex 2
HIT71
Hip Arthroscopy Proceed to Open Surgery – Complex 2
HIT72
Hip Open Surgery – Complex 2
KNE95
Primary Knee PCL reconstruction – arthroscopic and/or open – Complex (includes a
KNE85 with Meniscal Repair and/or Outerbridge III – IV drilling or microfracture)
NRV04
Reconstruction Digital Nerve with Nerve Graft
NRV05
Reconstruction Single Major Nerve with Nerve Grafts
NRV06
Neurolysis
SKP12
Insertion of tissue expander
SKP13
Removal of tissue expander(s) and reconstruction
SPN206
Posterior Cervical Decompression Laminoplasty
SPN207
Posterior Cervical Decompression - Simple
Includes: Laminectomy, Foraminotomy
SPN208
Posterior Cervical Decompression - Complex
Includes: foraminotomy/foraminectomy with laminectomy, bilateral
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Elective Surgery – Red List Procedures
Red List
Code
Procedure Description
formaminectomy or double level foraminectomy
SPN220
Posterior Thoracic/Thoracolumbar Fusion with instrumentation - Simple
SPN228
Revision Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion with Instrumentation - Single Level.
Includes: removal of existing implants
SPN232
Revision Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion with instrumentation Simple - Two or more
levels.
If the procedure involves more than two levels and the procedure is more complex,
non-core pricing can be used.
Includes: removal of existing spinal implants
SPN240
Anterior Lumbar Fusion Simple - Single Level.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), or Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF)
or Direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF).
Includes: Discectomy and/or Decompression.
Not to be used for laproscopic/endoscopic techniques. These should be
done non-core.
SPN243
Anterior Lumbar Fusion Simple - Two or more levels.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), or Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF)
or Direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF).
If the procedure involves more than two levels and the procedure is more complex,
non-core pricing can be used.
Includes: Discectomy and/or Decompression.
Not to be used for laparoscopic/endoscopic techniques. These should be
done non-core
SPN258
Revision Spinal Stenosis Decompression - Single Level.
Includes: Discectomy.
Note: If the majority of the procedure is to address the disc, use
discectomy codes
SPN259
Revision Spinal Stenosis Decompression - Two or more levels.
If the procedure involves more than two levels and the procedure is more complex,
non-core pricing can be used.
Includes: Discectomy.
Note: If the majority of the procedure is to address the disc, use
discectomy codes.
SPN260
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Simple - Single Level.
Includes: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) - (Unilateral approach).
Not to be used for laparoscopic/endoscopic techniques. These should be
done non-core.
SPN262
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Simple - Two or More Levels.
If the procedure involves more than two levels and the procedure is more complex,
non-core pricing can be used.
Includes: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) - (Unilateral approach).
Not to be used for laparoscopic/endoscopic techniques. These should be
done non-core.
SPN292
Anterior Endoscopic Interbody Fusion - Single level
WAH18
Reconstruction Extensor Tendon
WAH19
Reconstruction Flexor Tendon
WAH20
Tenolysis Flexor Tendon
WAH23
Pulley Reconstruction
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Elective Surgery – Red List Procedures
Red List
Code
Procedure Description
WAH26
Reconstruction for Ulnar Nerve Palsy (Claw hand)
WAH27
Reconstruction Median Nerve Palsy
WAH30
Revascularisation Carpal Bone
WAH31
Reconstruction Carpal Bone
WAH42
Diagnostic Arthroscopy Wrist
WAH43
Arthroscopic Debridement/Repair TFC/Repair Carpal Ligament Injury
Applying for Red List status
In order to undertake Red List procedures you must be listed with ACC as having Red List
status for your sub-speciality or sub-specialities.
To apply to be listed with ACC as a Red List provider you need to contact ACC Health
Procurement at health.procurement@acc.co.nz and request an application pack. Application
forms will be sent to you for completion.
You must be listed on the vendor’s Elective Surgery contract before you apply for Red List
consideration and the vendor can usually help you complete the application process.
Required qualifications and information
To be considered for this status you must be:

a vocationally registered medical specialist with the Medical Council of New Zealand and

have a minimum of 5 years experience within your speciality.
You need to provide:

a copy of your current annual practising certificate,

your curriculum vitae,

a reference from a recognised Red Listed medical specialist who has the same specialty
as you,

evidence of credentialing in the hospitals where you work, and

confirmation of your scope of practice including your planned Red List procedures.
The Red List Application Approvals Process is set out below.
The timings of the Red List process are dependant on when information is received back from
the appropriate specialty group(s). ACC will generally make a decision within two weeks from
receiving that recommendation, and send you written notification. You may not perform Red
List procedures until you have received notification of approval.
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Elective Surgery – Red List Procedures
Approval processes for Red List orthopaedic and non-orthopaedic
surgery
Orthopaedic surgery
These approvals are done through the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association (NZOA).
1. ACC sends the application for red list approval with all relevant documentation to the
NZOA office.
2. The NZOA sends the complete application to the President of the relevant SubSpeciality Society (SSS) to review the application, if necessary in consultation with
others in the Society, and confirm that the applicant is experienced in the red list
procedure.
3. The SSS returns their recommendation to the NZOA which advises ACC of the outcome.
4. If the application is endorsed by the SSS it is noted/reconfirmed as such at the next
NZOA/ACC Committee meeting.
5. If the application is not endorsed, but further training/supervision etc. of the applicant
is required the applicant is advised accordingly and may discuss this with the SSS
President.
Once any additional criteria have been met, the NZOA is advised and in turn ACC is
advised.
6. All applicants must provide evidence of credentialing at all hospitals where they work,
for the appropriate red list procedures.
Non-orthopaedic surgery
Red List applications for surgical specialties other than orthopaedics are sent to the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons who follow the same evaluation process as the NZOA, above.
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