COVID-19 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
COVID -19 Vaccine Adverse Reactions
If patients present with systemic features following COVID-19 vaccination, POAC referral can be made for management if the patient would otherwise be sent acutely to hospital (ie standard POAC policy applies).
As usual, supporting clinical notes must accompany claims, including notes indicating active monitoring during observation time. Report adverse vaccine reactions to CARM where appropriate.
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/adverse-event-reporting-form.asp
Unlike the usual CARM process for other conditions, please note you will not receive a response from CARM relating to COVID-19 vaccination adverse events you have reported. Collated adverse events information will be added to the worldwide published data in due course.
COVID-19 Assessment Funding
Notification and funding process
The e-Notification via Care Connect should be used to submit all COVID-19 notifications to Auckland Regional Public Health Service.
Reimbursement for activity is based on the patient paying no co-payment and is to be applied regardless of Residency status.
If virtual consult and then attends within the next day for swab, a single fee is payable of the swab + assessment fee ($120 +GST std rate). The swab fee includes follow up within 24 hours post swab.
The higher fee of $250 + GST is payable only for scenarios where 1. Full assessment of COVID-19 symptomatic patient with HIS Criteria met see below or HERE to view MoH website (use SURV HIS), or 2. Acute respiratory presentation requiring immediate hospital admission (do not swab). See table here(Aug2021)
- international travel
- direct contact with a person who has travelled overseas (eg, Customs and Immigration staff, staff at quarantine/isolation facilities)
- worked on an international aircraft or shipping vessel
- cleaned at an international airport or maritime port in areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals
- exited an MIQ facility (excluding recovered cases)
- any other criteria requested by the local Medical Officer of Health.
Funding is not available for repatriation swabbing which is to be directly charged to the patient and no e-Notification is necessary.
Refer to the full Auckland Regional HealthPathway & Primary Care Funding Algorithm here
COVID-19 Claims
All payment queries, amendments and disputes can be emailed to deannaw@easthealth.co.nz
Please include NHI, date of the e-Notification submission, and detail of the query. Excel format is ideal to allow prompt review and response.
Provider payments are aimed to be processed weekly, in arrears.
A reminder to ensure a valid SURV code is included in the lab request to ensure correct payment is processed. A list of SURV codes can be found HERE
Highbrook Vaccine GP Consult
Refer to MEDINZ message for full information.
Claims should be submitted via the normal PMS POAC claiming mechanism. Do not submit a COVID-19 e-Notification.
Use diagnosis coding 'Highbrook Covid Vaccine' and submit claim using 'Highbrook Vaccine Consult' from the fee schedule list - $69 maximum payable, no co-payment to patient,
Extended POAC funding
During the COVID-19 response period, POAC may be used to fund a range of extended services where endorsed by hospital specialist or pre-approved by POAC. Additional services may include iron infusions, cancer medication administration, radiology investigations, social supports, and management of conditions normally out of scope but currently impacted by COVID-19 and unavailable through local DHB services.
Contact POAC for pre-approval (09) 535 7218 or email referral@poac.co.nz.
When submitting your referral electronically, use coding ‘COVID-19 – Extended Services’ and state the name of the endorsing consultant.