POAC Funding: Dehydration
Auckland | Waitematā | Counties Manukau
referral@poac.co.nz · (09) 535 7218 (Mon–Fri, 8.30–4.30)
Funding criteria for community management of dehydration in adults, children and pregnancy.
Principles of funding
To qualify for POAC funding, all of the following must apply:
- Community management: the patient can be safely managed in the community, and
- Severity: dehydration is of moderate severity (for hyperemesis gravidarum, see the section below), and
- Admission avoidance: the patient would otherwise be referred to hospital
Patient safety comes first. Every management plan must put the patient's wellbeing and safety ahead of everything else.
Dehydration in Adults
POAC funds IV rehydration for adults with moderately severe dehydration, with symptoms such as:
- Weakness
- Light-headedness
- Postural hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Sunken eyes
- Dry mucous membranes
- Oliguria
- Ketones ++
Severe cases should be admitted to hospital.
- Up to 2 litres of IV fluids per day
- GP/NP review after fluids, where hospital admission is required and the consultation is clearly documented (claimed at the normal practice rate)
- A brief next-day follow-up review, where clinically indicated
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy)
POAC also funds care for pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum who need fluid replacement in the community. This includes the initial consultation for women being closely managed for their condition, as well as ongoing assessments.
The clinician is expected to assess the patient at each visit and give IV fluids only when clinically necessary. If IV fluids aren't needed, POAC will still fund the consultation.
This makes sure cost is never a barrier for pregnant women who need regular fluid replacement.
- The initial consultation, for women being closely managed for hyperemesis gravidarum
- Assessment consultations, whether or not IV fluids are given
- Up to 2 litres of IV fluids per day, where clinically indicated
- Claim under the diagnosis code 'Dehydration – Adult IV Fluids', including consultations where no IV fluids are given
Gastroenteritis in Children
POAC funds oral rehydration and observation for children with mild to moderately severe dehydration, as defined by the Gastroenteritis in Children Auckland HealthPathway.
Oral rehydration therapy can be claimed when more than 30 minutes of observation and treatment is needed to manage dehydration.
- Observation time, where more than 30 minutes is needed to actively monitor oral intake and losses
- GP/NP review after fluids, where hospital admission is required and the consultation is clearly documented (claimed at the normal practice rate)
- A brief next-day follow-up review, where clinically indicated
POAC Claiming Information
- At the time of treatment, submit a new POAC referral using the diagnosis code 'Dehydration – Adult IV Fluids' (including hyperemesis gravidarum) or 'Dehydration – Paediatric Oral Rehydration'.
- Submit an invoice for the services provided, with full clinical documentation.
- See the POAC Claiming Guide for further information.
POAC referral: referral@poac.co.nz · (09) 535 7218
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026
Important note: all POAC referrals and claims are subject to the applicable terms and conditions of use.