POAC Funded X-Ray
POAC Radiology — Auckland | Counties Manukau | Waitemata
Referral criteria for POAC funding of plain x-ray in the community.
Principles of funding
POAC will fund the plain x-rays below where all of the following apply, in line with the National Community Referred Radiology (CRR) Criteria:
- 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 accident (unless specifically outlined below)
X-ray Chest – Adult
Within 24–48 hrsPOAC WILL fund X-ray where:
- Suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with unexpectedly severe or atypical presentation, where there is uncertainty that antibiotics alone is appropriate initial management
- An acute presentation with significant respiratory symptoms and uncertainty as to the cause, where alternative causes require different management – e.g. infection versus left ventricular failure
- Suspected small pneumothorax
- Significant dyspnoea of unclear cause
Guidance
In patients with an acute lower respiratory tract infection, a chest x-ray does not change management in most cases.
Refer Auckland Regional HealthPathways
X-ray Abdomen – Adult
Within 24–48 hrsPOAC WILL fund X-ray where:
- Diagnosis of constipation where patient history is unobtainable
- Secondary care clinician, Primary Care Radiology Liaison or radiologist advises referral for acute x-ray
Guidance
Because there is wide variation in the amount of normal faecal residue shown, abdominal X-ray does not reliably diagnose constipation and should not be used to monitor response to treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of AXR is low for both diagnosing and identifying the underlying cause of bowel obstruction. CT is preferable as a more definitive test, and AXR may delay a more definitive CT.
X-ray Musculoskeletal – Adult
Spine
Where required within 48 hours and endorsed by a hospital specialist.
ACC / injury-related x-ray
In most situations, injury-related x-ray is excluded from POAC and should sit under ACC.
The exception is for injury cases initiated by St John, hospital, Emergency Q Voucher, or ARC/hospice for portable x-ray in immobile patients requiring acute radiology to exclude fracture and determine admission requirements. In these situations, POAC will fund the ACC co-payment only.
X-ray Chest – Paediatric
Within 24 hrsChest x-ray is rarely required in suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Consider POAC-funded X-ray if:
- Diagnostic uncertainty or atypical presentation
- Not making expected clinical progress and complications are suspected, or recurrent pneumonia symptoms suggestive of underlying respiratory disease
- Secondary care clinician, Primary Care Radiology Liaison or radiologist advises x-ray within 48 hours
Refer Auckland Regional HealthPathways
X-Ray Abdomen – Paediatric
Within 24–48 hrsPOAC WILL fund X-ray where:
- History of suspected ingestion of a foreign body but the type of object is unclear, the child is asymptomatic, there are no red flags requiring hospital admission, and an acute x-ray is advised by a secondary care specialist or Primary Care Radiology Liaison
- Secondary care clinician, Primary Care Radiology Liaison or radiologist advises referral for same- or next-day x-ray
Guidance
The majority of ingested foreign bodies are low-risk objects and can be managed without imaging or intervention.
X-rays, when required, should include neck, chest and abdomen, with lateral as well as frontal views of the neck and chest.
Refer Auckland Regional HealthPathways
X-ray Musculoskeletal – Paediatric
Pelvis / hip
Within 24 hrsPOAC WILL fund X-ray for:
- Child presenting with non-acute symptoms where SUFE is suspected – arrange hip X-ray with AP pelvis film and frog lateral view. Very early slips may be subtle and missed on X-ray; have a low threshold for seeking orthopaedic advice.
ACC / injury-related x-ray
In most situations, injury-related x-ray is excluded from POAC and should sit under ACC.
The exception is for injury cases initiated by St John, hospital, Emergency Q Voucher, or ARC/hospice for portable x-ray in immobile patients requiring acute radiology to exclude fracture and determine admission requirements. In these situations, POAC will fund the ACC co-payment only.
How to refer
1. POAC PMS system – generate a new referral via the PMS POAC form using the relevant diagnosis code, and email the radiology request to referral@poac.co.nz.
2. Online radiology form – submit the referral directly online. POAC will coordinate the booking and contact the patient and referrer with details.
POAC referral: referral@poac.co.nz · (09) 535 7218
Last reviewed: 13 January 2026
Important note: all POAC referrals and claims are subject to the applicable terms and conditions of use.