Primary Options radiology providers

Taupō: TRG Imaging

Rotorua: TRG Imaging and Mokoia Radiology

Gisborne: TRG Imaging and Coastal Ultrasound

X-rays

New Plymouth: Fulford Radiology, Taranaki Radiology, Absolute Radiology, Advance radiology and MediCross Radiology

Stratford: Taranaki Radiology

Hawera: Fulford Radiology

Ultrasounds

New Plymouth: Fulford Radiology, Taranaki Radiology, Absolute Radiology, Advance radiology and New Wave Ultrasounds

Hawera: Fulford Radiology

Whanganui: River City Ultrasound

Hamilton: Hamilton Radiology, Pacific Radiology Group, River Radiology, The Ultrasound Clinic and Avanti Ultrasound.

Tauranga: Medex Radiology

Te Awamutu: Māhoe Radiology Services

Whangamatā: Whangamatā Medical Centre

Whitianga: The Mercury Bay Community Radiology and Health Trust, 18 Coghill St, Whitianga, 07 866 5973

The following are the only investigations that will be funded, and all must be same-day, except for DVT with Clexane cover.

• Abdominal ultrasound: Exclusions apply * see below
• Pelvic ultrasound: for suspicion of ruptured ovarian cyst or for suspicion of retained products of conception in patients not eligible for maternity funding (i.e. is more than 14 days post termination of pregnancy/miscarriage or more than six weeks post vaginal delivery). These are also funded for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding - requests under this pathway do not need to be same-day.
• Renal ultrasound: for suspicion of renal colic/stones where CT is not available or appropriate.
• Ultrasounds under the DVT pathway.
• Chest X ray: for suspicion of pneumonia or pneumothorax and for foreign body ingestion.
• Hip X ray: for suspicion of SUFE.
• X ray: for suspicion of pathological fracture where there is no history of injury.

Urgent diagnostics can be accessed and co-ordinated by general practice or urgent care clinics without contacting the Primary Options team. Bookings can be made by the practice or the patient.

Patients can arrange their own radiological investigation provided they have the required documentation with them, which includes the referral from the practice and the primary options claim number. This is dependent on the investigation being one of those listed above. Any investigations not listed will not be funded, irrespective of whether the practice has provided the patient with a claim number.

Patients who are not acutely unwell and do not require a same day diagnostic test are not funded under POAC and should be referred to primary referred radiology. Radiology is only funded for same-day investigations, with the exception of ultrasounds through the DVT pathway which can be the next day with Clexane coverage.

GP provided point of care ultrasound is excluded from POAC services – it is expected that patients will be charged for this service.

* Exclusions for abdominal ultrasound

• Any patient with an acute abdomen/severe abdominal pain/ suspected bowel obstruction
• Suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Suspected appendicitis
• Investigation of an abdominal mass/suspected malignancy
• Investigation by ultrasound of a large post-operative collection that would necessitate a hospital admission.
• Hernia management – strangulated or obstructed hernia
• Surveillance scans of known AAA –
• Investigation of incidental finding of abnormal liver enzymes with no abdominal pain with an ultrasound.
• Post-operative wound dressings.
• Constipation.
• Pregnancy related conditions including suspected ectopic pregnancy and heavy bleeding due to miscarriage.
• PID: 
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• STI screening and treatment.    

The following are the only investigations that will be funded, and all must be same-day, except for DVT with Clexane cover.

• Abdominal ultrasound: Exclusions apply * see below
• Pelvic ultrasound: for suspicion of ruptured ovarian cyst or for suspicion of retained products of conception in patients not eligible for maternity funding (i.e. is more than 14 days post termination of pregnancy/miscarriage or more than six weeks post vaginal delivery). These are also funded for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding - requests under this pathway do not need to be same-day.
• Renal ultrasound: for suspicion of renal colic/stones where CT is not available or appropriate.
• Ultrasounds under the DVT pathway.
• Chest X ray: for suspicion of pneumonia or pneumothorax and for foreign body ingestion.
• Hip X ray: for suspicion of SUFE.
• X ray: for suspicion of pathological fracture where there is no history of injury.

Urgent diagnostics can be accessed and co-ordinated by general practice or urgent care clinics without contacting the Primary Options team. Bookings can be made by the practice or the patient.

Patients can arrange their own radiological investigation provided they have the required documentation with them, which includes the referral from the practice and the primary options claim number. This is dependent on the investigation being one of those listed above. Any investigations not listed will not be funded, irrespective of whether the practice has provided the patient with a claim number.

Patients who are not acutely unwell and do not require a same day diagnostic test are not funded under POAC and should be referred to primary referred radiology. Radiology is only funded for same-day investigations, with the exception of ultrasounds through the DVT pathway which can be the next day with Clexane coverage.

GP provided point of care ultrasound is excluded from POAC services – it is expected that patients will be charged for this service.

* Exclusions for abdominal ultrasound

• Any patient with an acute abdomen/severe abdominal pain/ suspected bowel obstruction
• Suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Suspected appendicitis
• Investigation of an abdominal mass/suspected malignancy
• Investigation by ultrasound of a large post-operative collection that would necessitate a hospital admission.
• Hernia management – strangulated or obstructed hernia
• Surveillance scans of known AAA –
• Investigation of incidental finding of abnormal liver enzymes with no abdominal pain with an ultrasound.
• Post-operative wound dressings.
• Constipation.
• Pregnancy related conditions including suspected ectopic pregnancy and heavy bleeding due to miscarriage.
• PID: 
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• STI screening and treatment.    

The following are the only investigations that will be funded, and all must be same-day, except for DVT with Clexane cover.

• Abdominal ultrasound: Exclusions apply * see below
• Pelvic ultrasound: for suspicion of ruptured ovarian cyst or for suspicion of retained products of conception in patients not eligible for maternity funding (i.e. is more than 14 days post termination of pregnancy/miscarriage or more than six weeks post vaginal delivery). These are also funded for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding - requests under this pathway do not need to be same-day.
• Renal ultrasound: for suspicion of renal colic/stones where CT is not available or appropriate.
• Ultrasounds under the DVT pathway.
• Chest X ray: for suspicion of pneumonia or pneumothorax and for foreign body ingestion.
• Hip X ray: for suspicion of SUFE.
• X ray: for suspicion of pathological fracture where there is no history of injury.

Radiological investigations/payments for patients who have been redirected from ED can be claimed through Primary Options, provided the investigation is not an ACC case, nor funded under existing POAC.

Urgent diagnostics can be accessed and co-ordinated by general practice or urgent care clinics without contacting the Primary Options team. Bookings can be made by the practice or the patient.

Patients can arrange their own radiological investigation provided they have the required documentation with them, which includes the referral from the practice and the primary options claim number. This is dependent on the investigation being one of those listed above. Any investigations not listed will not be funded, irrespective of whether the practice has provided the patient with a claim number.

Patients who are not acutely unwell and do not require a same day diagnostic test are not funded under POAC and should be referred to primary referred radiology. Radiology is only funded for same-day investigations, with the exception of ultrasounds through the DVT pathway which can be the next day with Clexane coverage.

GP provided point of care ultrasound is excluded from POAC services – it is expected that patients will be charged for this service.

* Exclusions for abdominal ultrasound

• Any patient with an acute abdomen/severe abdominal pain/ suspected bowel obstruction
• Suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Suspected appendicitis
• Investigation of an abdominal mass/suspected malignancy
• Investigation by ultrasound of a large post-operative collection that would necessitate a hospital admission.
• Hernia management – strangulated or obstructed hernia
• Surveillance scans of known AAA –
• Investigation of incidental finding of abnormal liver enzymes with no abdominal pain with an ultrasound.
• Post-operative wound dressings.
• Constipation.
• Pregnancy related conditions including suspected ectopic pregnancy and heavy bleeding due to miscarriage.
• PID: 
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• STI screening and treatment.    

WDHB has contracts with a number of radiology providers under Primary Options for Acute Care (POAC).

The following are the only investigations that will be funded, and all must be same-day, except for DVT with Clexane cover.

• Abdominal ultrasound: Exclusions apply * see below
• Pelvic ultrasound: for suspicion of ruptured ovarian cyst or for suspicion of retained products of conception in patients not eligible for maternity funding (i.e. is more than 14 days post termination of pregnancy/miscarriage or more than six weeks post vaginal delivery). These are also funded for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding - requests under this pathway do not need to be same-day.
• Renal ultrasound: for suspicion of renal colic/stones in pregnant women and women under 35 years.
• Ultrasounds under the DVT pathway.
• Chest X ray: where the cause of shortness of breath is unclear and a CXR may assist management and avoid an ED presentation.
• X-ray AP Pelvis and lateral of the hip: for suspicion of SUFE for children aged 8-16 years.

Urgent diagnostics can be accessed and co-ordinated by general practice or urgent care clinics without contacting the Primary Options team. Bookings can be made by the practice or the patient.

Patients can arrange their own radiological investigation provided they have the required documentation with them, which includes the referral from the practice and the primary options claim number. This is dependent on the investigation being one of those listed above. Any investigations not listed will not be funded, irrespective of whether the practice has provided the patient with a claim number 

Patients who are not acutely unwell and do not require a same day diagnostic test are not funded under POAC and should be referred to primary referred radiology. Radiology is only funded for same-day investigations, with the exception of ultrasounds through the DVT pathway which can be the next day with Clexane coverage.

GP provided point of care ultrasound is excluded from POAC services – it is expected that patients will be charged for this service.

*Exclusions for abdominal ultrasound

• Any patient with an acute abdomen/severe abdominal pain/ suspected bowel obstruction
• Suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Suspected appendicitis
• Investigation of an abdominal mass/suspected malignancy
• Investigation by ultrasound of a large post-operative collection that would necessitate a hospital admission.
• Hernia management – strangulated or obstructed hernia
• Surveillance scans of known AAA –
• Investigation of incidental finding of abnormal liver enzymes with no abdominal pain with an ultrasound.
• Post-operative wound dressings.
• Constipation.
• Pregnancy related conditions including suspected ectopic pregnancy and heavy bleeding due to miscarriage.
• PID: 
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• STI screening and treatment.