Cellulitis (POAC) 2025

Guidance on the clinical management of cellulitis can be found on Community HealthPathways.

All Pinnacle practices in the Lakes region can claim for this service. 

• Oral antibiotic treatment for patients aged >= 15 years with moderate cellulitis.
• Patients with a clear diagnosis of cellulitis who are haemodynamically stable. 
• Claims cover the time period within 7 days of the initial appointment.

• Patients aged < 15 years.
• Cellulitis covered by ACC.
• Pregnancy.
• Septic arthritis/prosthesis present/underlying fracture.
• MRSA carrier.
• Administration of IM antibiotics.
• Incision and drainage of abscesses and associated dressing changes.
• Post-operative wound dressings.
• Skin infections e.g impetigo, infected excema, psoriasis.
• Dental infection.

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

Standard cellulitis  

Initial consultation   Not funded

Patients pay a co-pay at the standard consultation rate as the initial consultation is considered a routine primary care appointment.

First follow up           Not funded

Patients pay a co-pay at the standard consultation rate as the first follow up is considered a routine primary care appointment for low-risk patients.           

Subsequent follow up  Funded

Subsequent GP/NP* in-person follow up consult

Maximum of 5 visits within 7 days of initial appointment

*or registered clinician with prescribing rights working within their scope of practice 

High risk cellulitis   

Initial consultation(Day 1) Not funded

Patients pay a co-pay at the standard consultation rate as the initial consultation is considered a routine primary care appointment.   

First follow up (Day 2)   Funded

Patients will receive a phone or in person clinical follow up (usually nurse led) within 72 hours. Whether this is virtual or in person is up to clinician discretion.     

Subsequent follow up (Days 3-7)  Funded

Subsequent GP/NP* in-person follow up consult.

Maximum of 5 visits within 7 days of initial appointment.

*or registered clinician with prescribing rights working within their scope of practice. 

High risk patients

• Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease.
• Symptomatic or clinically overt venous insufficiency.
• Obesity BMI>40.
• Recurrent cellulitis( 2 or more episodes within 12 months).
• CSC holders.

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 cannot be funded by POAC, the patient may be liable to the practice for the fees incurred. 

Prices listed below are GST inclusive.

Please make your claim via Primary Options, select Cellulitis and then attach the appropriate invoice(s).

Please include the date of the initial consultation when the antibiotics were prescribed.

STANDARD cellulitis

Standard cellulitis GP/NP*: $109.25

Maximum of 5 visits within 7 days of initial appointment for oral antibiotic management of cellulitis.

*or registered clinician with prescribing rights working within their scope of practice 

Must be an in person visit

The first two visits are unfunded

High risk cellulitis

High risk patients

• Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease
• Symptomatic or clinically overt venous insufficiency
• Obesity BMI>40
• Recurrent cellulitis( 2 or more episodes within 12 months)
• CSC holders

Please indicate how the patient meets the high risk eligibility within your claim. 

High risk cellulitis RN: $44.85

Funded first follow up within 72 hours of initial appointment (one only) - can be in person or virtual

High risk cellulitis GP/NP*: $109.25

Maximum of 5 visits (after a funded first follow up) within 7 days of initial appointment for oral antibiotic management of cellulitis.

Must be an in person visit

 *or registered clinician with prescribing rights working within their scope of practice 

The purpose of these visits is to ensure the infection is improving, monitor medication compliance and ensure other comorbidities and social circumstances are addressed.

These invoices are a package of care i.e. they include an allocation for staff time as well as consumables, they cannot be claimed along with any other claims. 

Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of POAC funding.  

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.

Please include the date of the initial consultation when the antibiotics were prescribed.

If you are claiming under the high risk category, please indicate how the patient meets the high risk eligibility.

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.