Neurology (POAC)

All practices in Tairāwhiti region can claim for this service. 

Patients domiciled in Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti area.

Patients with acute neurological conditions that can be managed safely in primary care e.g. migraine.  

• Patients not domiciled in Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti area.
• CVA/TIA – too acute to be treated under POAC, please refer to HealthPathways for referral information. 
• The administration of IM medications. 
• Medication reviews for migraine medications, mild migraines. 

Exclusion criteria to access POAC funding should not preclude emergency treatment of any medical conditions. 

Once the episode of care is completed and the patient is no longer acutely unwell, they exit the POAC programme.  

Once the patient exits the POAC programme, the case requires a clinical outcome to be lodged. No payment can be made for any claims unless the outcome is completed.  

Where treatment in the community is no longer clinically appropriate, the patient may be admitted to hospital during a POAC plan of care. Please indicate this in the clinical outcome.  

The initial 15-minute GP/NP consultation incurs the usual consultation fee paid by the patient. All POAC services thereafter are provided at no cost to the patient. If the claim cannot be funded by POAC, the patient may be liable to the practice for the fees incurred. 

Please make your claim via Primary Options, select Neurology and then attach the appropriate invoice(s).

Prices listed below are GST inclusive.  

Rehydration: $158
IV rehydration only in adults, oral rehydration only in children. This invoice is a package of care i.e. it includes an allocation for staff time as well as consumables. It cannot be claimed along with any other claims.
or
IV medication: $87  
This invoice is a package of care i.e. it includes an allocation for staff time as well as consumables. It cannot be claimed along with any other claims.

GP/NP home visit: $126 or RN home visit: $79
This is limited to one per episode of care within 3 days of the initial consult and cannot be claimed on the day of the initial consult. 

Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of POAC funding.  

It has been recommended that in addition to a good assessment and history, the full range of appropriate observations should be documented, especially where the diagnosis is undetermined. It is important to state the time of consultations and interactions with the patient.  

The initial 15-minute GP/NP consultation incurs the usual consultation fee paid by the patient. All POAC services thereafter are provided at no cost to the patient. 

The service is funded by Te Whatu Ora.