Fever of unknown origin in children (POAC)

All Pinnacle practices in the Te Whatu Ora Lakes area.

Patients domiciled in Te Whatu Ora Lakes area.

Treatment of children (<15yrs) presenting with a fever of >38 C with intermediate risk/amber symptoms or signs that can be safely managed in the community – see related resources.

Please be aware this funding is for care over and above a standard practice consultation.

This funding does not include triage and administration of medication under standing orders prior to GP consultation.

• Patients not domiciled in Te Whatu Ora Lakes area.
• Any child with high risk/red symptoms or signs. Any pre-hospital treatment that has been provided cannot be funded via POAC, as admission to hospital is inevitable. 
• Any child with low risk/green symptoms or signs.   

This funding does not include triage and administration of medication under standing orders prior to GP consultation.

Exclusion criteria to access POAC funding should not preclude emergency treatment of any medical conditions. 

The initial 15-minute GP/NP consultation incurs the usual consultation fee paid by the patient. All POAC services thereafter are provided at no cost to the patient. If the claim is unable to be funded by POAC, the patient may be liable to the practice for the fees incurred. 

Please be aware this funding is for care over and above a standard practice consultation.

This funding does not include triage and administration of medication under standing orders prior to GP consultation.

Please make your claim via Primary Options, select Fever Unknown Origin - children and then attach the appropriate invoice(s).

Prices listed below are GST inclusive.

Practice observations: $1.03 per minute  
Practice observations – maximum 2 hours (based on treatment provided as evidenced in clinical notes). 
In-clinic observations can be claimed based on 3 x 10 minute baseline observations per hour. Practice observations can only be claimed at the time of the initial consult.  

Please be aware this funding is for care over and above a standard practice consultation.

This funding does not include triage and administration of medication under standing orders prior to GP consultation.

GP/NP/CP follow up: $81.37 or RN follow up: $40.17 or

Rural GP/NP/CP follow up: $91.67 or RN follow up: $50.47 or

This funding is available to those practices who receive rural funding. 

Afterhours GP/NP/CP follow up: $101.97 or RN follow up $60.77

This funding can be claimed when care is provided after 6pm, on weekends or on public holidays.

Limited to one consult within the acute episode of care. Can be same day as practice obs, to review the patient prior to leaving the practice.

Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of POAC funding otherwise the referral may be declined.   

It has been recommended that in addition to a good assessment and history, the full range of appropriate observations should be documented, especially where the diagnosis is undetermined. It is important to state the time of consultations and interactions with the patient. 

The initial 15-minute GP/NP consultation incurs the usual consultation fee paid by the patient. All POAC services thereafter are provided at no cost to the patient. 

The service is funded by Te Whatu Ora.