Hospital Emergency Department Voucher System
To support timely and appropriate care for lower-acuity patients presenting to Emergency Departments, a voucher system is in place to enable redirection to approved Urgent Care Clinics. This includes POAC-funded access to same-day radiology services, where clinically indicated.
Middlemore, Kidz First, North Shore & Waitakere Hospitals
Emergency Q App is used by North Shore Hospital and Waitakere Hospital to redirect suitable patients to the following approved Urgent Care Clinics:
West:
White Cross Henderson
White Cross New Lynn
North:
Shorecare Smales Farm
Shorecare Greville Road
South:
Counties Medical - Takanini
Counties Medical - Papakura
The Doctors Middlemore
White Cross Otahuhu
East Care Urgent Care
Radiology Services
POAC may provide funding for urgent, same-day radiology services, including ACC surcharges for acute X-rays.
To request funded radiology:
Generate the radiology request form as usual.
Clearly state “POAC funded” on the referral.
Include the Emergency Q voucher number.
Radiology providers will invoice POAC directly.
No POAC referral is required. No admin fee is claimable.
Routine, non-urgent radiology is not included.
Auckland City Hospital
As of May 2025, a paper voucher system (separate from the Emergency Q app) is in use to redirect eligible patients from Auckland City Hospital Emergency Department to:
White Cross Ascot
Patients attend White Cross Ascot with a paper voucher that includes brief clinical information. No voucher number is provided. Vouchers are valid for 24 hours only.
Radiology Services
If acute radiology is required:
Create a POAC case using the standard process.
Use code: WX Ascot ED Voucher.
Refer the patient to Astra Radiology.
Astra Radiology will invoice POAC directly, including for any ACC co-payments
POAC Process
Extended Acute Care
If the patient requires ongoing acute services normally funded by POAC (e.g. IV fluids, IV antibiotics), it may be reasonable to create a POAC referral for the extended and ongoing care.
The initial management of the patient is funded by Health NZ and should not be claimed under POAC.
Radiology
POAC funding applies only to urgent, same-day imaging or appropriate ongoing care post-ED redirection.
Routine or non-urgent radiology requests should continue to be made via Access to Diagnostics or eReferral, and are not funded under POAC.
Reminders
✔️ Use the Correct Coding:
Always quote the “POAC – EQ voucher number” or “POAC – EQ + NHI” for radiology requests to ensure correct invoicing and that the patient is not charged.
✔️ Clinical Scope:
Only urgent same-day services are included under this process. Other non acute investigations or treatments beyond the initial consult or radiology services are not POAC funded.
✔️ No Patient Charge:
Patients should not be charged for any service funded under this process.
✔️ POAC Funding:
Submit a POAC claim as normal if, after the initial consultation (funded by voucher), the patient meets normal POAC clinical criteria for extended acute care.
Questions
Email claiming queries to: claims@poac.co.nz
Contact Deanna Williams, Service Manager: deannaw@easthealth.co.nz