POAC Funding of ECG

ECG is a part of normal general practice and in most cases is not funded by POAC.

POAC funds urgent ECG under the following circumstances:

1. Investigation of current/recent chest pain:

   a. or other relevant symptoms as part of the  Acute Coronary Syndrome pathway, where the patient meets the criteria for troponin testing. Clinical notes must demonstrate that a troponin has been requested to qualify for POAC-funded ECG.

   b. where pulmonary embolism is an unlikely but plausible differential diagnosis, and ECG is stated as required to look for evidence of PE.

   c. for suspected pericarditis

2. Investigation of hypokalaemia as part of a work-up to decide if acute admission is required

3. Investigation of palpitations or irregular pulse where the patient has:

   a. current or recent palpitations (within the last few days) AND a newly abnormal pulse

   b.  new finding of an irregularly irregular pulse on clinical examination (irrespective of symptoms) and ECG is to look for Atrial Fibrillation (AF). If AF is confirmed, notes must indicate immediate management in accordance with the Atrial Fibrillation HealthPathway. 

4. Investigation of rheumatic fever ONLY when the diagnosis is in doubt. See Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease HealthPathway.

5. Investigation of a recent (last few days) unexplained syncopal or near-syncopal episode without palpitations or chest pain where there are concerns about an underlying cardiac rhythm disturbance, and ECG is required to look for red flag features eg prolonged QT interval, Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, other AV block patterns, etc.

POAC Claiming:

Refer to the POAC claiming guide for further guidance.

Updated: April 2026

Review date: April 2027