POAC | CT

POAC

POAC Funded CT

Auckland | Waitemātā | Counties Manukau

POAC will fund CT scans listed below where ALL of the following apply. These services are in line with the National Community Referred Radiology (CRR) Criteria (see here).

It is safe to manage the patient in the community, AND
Required within 24–48 hours, or the patient would otherwise be sent acutely to ED, AND
The condition is not related to trauma or injury (unless specifically outlined below)

Note: POAC only funds acute CT scans required within a 48 hour timeframe. If a scan can safely wait longer than 48 hours, it does not meet POAC funding criteria — submit an eReferral for urgent CT instead.

CT Head CT KUB How to Refer What Can Be Claimed

CT Head Within 48 hours

POAC funding is available for CT Head where required within 24–48 hours to avoid acute hospital referral, under the following circumstances:

IndicationTIA

Where it is within 7 days of the TIA episode, and:

CT +/− CTA recommended by HNZ neurologist / stroke specialist or physician, OR
Patient has no high-risk features and is assessed as suitable for being managed in the community, AND completion of the BPAC TIA decision support tool indicates CT head +/− carotid imaging is appropriate, OR
Patient is unable to access rapid specialist care.

IndicationFocal neurologic signs

Consider seeking neurologist advice first.

IndicationSeizure in palliative care

Where the result may change management.

IndicationSpecialist-directed referral

Secondary care clinician, Primary Care Radiology Liaison (PCRL), or radiologist advises referral for same or next day CT scan.

All injury-related Head CTs are excluded from POAC funding. Head injury requires ED referral and is funded under ACC.

Refer HealthPathway:

CT Head HealthPathway

See the CT Head page for full criteria, guidance, how to request, and neurology advice contacts.

CT KUB Within 24–48 hours

POAC funding is available for CT KUB (kidneys, ureters, bladder) under the following circumstances:

Within 24 hoursPyelonephritis

Patient has flank pain that does not improve despite 24 hours of intravenous, or 48 hours of oral, antibiotics.
Consider requesting CT KUB instead of renal ultrasound if renal colic is being considered as a differential diagnosis.

Within 48 hoursSuspected renal colic

First presentation of suspected renal colic with no red flags.
Secondary care clinician, Primary Care Radiology Liaison (PCRL), or radiologist advises referral for same or next day CT scan.

Refer Auckland Regional HealthPathways:

How to Refer

Follow the full POAC Radiology Referral Process for instructions on submitting a CT referral, contacting POAC to confirm booking, and what to do if a patient has left site.

Radiology Referral Process

What Can Be Claimed

CT is invoiced directly to POAC by the radiology provider (XR/CT/US required within 48 hours only). Refer to the POAC Claiming Schedule for consultation, phone review, and other associated claiming rates.

POAC Claiming Guide

Last reviewed: 8 September 2026

Important note: All POAC referrals and claims are subject to the applicable terms and conditions of use.

Principles of funding:

POAC will fund the following community CT scans:

Where required within 24-48 hours, AND
It is safe to manage the patient in the community, AND
The result of the ultrasound will inform immediate clinical management, AND
The condition is not related to trauma or accident (unless specifically outlined below)

All POAC funded radiology is aligned with the National Community Referred Radiology Criteria - see here

For information on how to submit a referral to POAC, see here

CT Head within 48 hours

CT KUB within 48 hours