Severe allergic reaction (POAC)

All Pinnacle practices in Waikato region can claim for this service. 

• Patients with a severe allergic reaction, who have not had anaphylaxis, are haemodynamically stable and can be safely managed in the community.
• Moderate allergic reaction requiring observation in general practice.
• Patients with anaphylaxis who have received a single injection of adrenaline and have normal observations within 30 minutes and the practice are able to observe safely for four hours.

• Any patient with anaphylaxis who does not have normal observations within 30 minutes of administering a single dose of adrenaline
• Any allergic reaction covered by ACC - see link below.
• Mild allergic reactions/urticarial rash.  

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 is unable to be funded by POAC, the patient may be liable to the practice for the fees incurred. 

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

Prices listed below are GST inclusive.

Practice observations: $1.00 per minute 
Practice observations – maximum 4 hours (based on treatment provided as evidenced in clinical notes). 

In-clinic observations can be claimed based on 3x10 minute baseline observations per hour. Practice observations can only be claimed at the time of the initial consult.  

Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of POAC funding otherwise the referral may be declined.   

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.