This funding is available for a GP/NP consultation with patients eligible for an advance prescription for COVID-19 anti-viral medication, prior to them testing positive for COVID-19.
There is no obligation for a clinician to issue an advance prescription.
Please be aware this funding will end on 30 June 2024. We will continue to accept and process claims for care delivered under the existing eligibility prior to 1 July until 31 July.
Your Pinnacle Services Contract applies to this service. By claiming for this service, you have indicated that you have read and agreed to the business rules set out here.
This is NOT a clinical guideline.
Any practice in Lakes can offer and claim for this service.
Patients who are currently COVID-19 positive.
All services are provided at no cost to the patient. If the claim cannot be funded by this service, the patient may be liable to the practice for the fees incurred.
Prices are GST inclusive.
Please make your claim via Primary Options and select: Advance anti-viral prescription - COVID-19 and then attach the appropriate invoice.
Advance anti-viral prescription - COVID-19 – not appropriate: $69.00
Funding for a consultation which takes place with the sole purpose of discussing anti-viral medication, but where the advance prescription is either declined or contra-indicated.
Advance anti-viral prescription - COVID-19 - provided: $103.50
Funding for a consultation where a person meets the Pharmac eligibility criteria, and an advance prescription is generated.
Advance anti-viral prescription - COVID-19 - renewal: $51.75
Funding for further advance prescription when the initial prescription has expired.
Only one invoice can be claimed per patient.
A patient co-payment cannot be charged.
Please ensure your notes specify how the patient is eligible for consideration of anti-viral medication.
Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of funding.
It has been recommended that in addition to a good assessment and history, the full range of appropriate observations should be documented. It is important to state the time of consultations and interactions with the patient.
Please ensure your notes specify how the patient is eligible for consideration of anti-viral medication.
Please ensure your notes are comprehensive and clearly state whether the patient has been provided with a prescription.
No. A patient co-payment cannot be charged.
The service is funded by Te Whatu Ora.
There is guidance on the Te Whatu Ora website regarding advance prescriptions.
Advance prescriptions for oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines will not be clinically appropriate for some patients that otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.
There is no obligation for a clinician to issue an advance prescription.
Situations where issuing of advance prescriptions may be particularly useful are:
Primary care clinics will be able to identify those people who would gain most benefit from an advanced prescription. It is anticipated that there is likely to be a short intervening period between the issuing of the advance prescription and when it is likely to be dispensed. It is not expected that advanced prescriptions will be issued for all those eligible for anti-viral medication, it is aimed to be targeted for those deemed to be most clinically appropriate, at the discretion of the prescriber.
When a consultation takes place with the sole purpose of discussing anti-viral medication, but the advance prescription is either declined or contra-indicated there is a lower fee to acknowledge that the extra work of the prescription is not required.
Primary options team, Pinnacle Midlands Health Network
infoprimaryoptions@pinnacle.health.nz
027 687 7312
View the COVID-19 claiming resources for primary care.
During the COVID-19 lockdown virtual consultations for POAC cases were funded. We are pleased to announce that this will be a permanent change.
Read moreDo you know someone in the respiratory field or community who deserves recognition for their achievements in the community? Nominations are open for the 2024 Respiratory Achievers’ Awards, recognising people with respiratory conditions, and those working in the field of respiratory health, who have made personal achievements and/or positive impacts in their community.
Read moreThis funding is available for a GP/NP consultation with patients eligible for an advance prescription for COVID-19 anti-viral medication, prior to them testing positive for COVID-19. There is no obligation for a clinician to issue an advance prescription.
View details