About
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PHOs
in Counties Manukau
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Primary Health Organisations (PHOs)
Care Plus - What is Care Plus?
Care Plus is a new service being introduced through Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) from 1 July 2004 onwards. It is aimed at people who need to visit their family GP or Nurse often because of significant chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease, have acute medical or mental health needs, or a terminal illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can people who are not enrolled in a PHO practice get this new service?
-
Will High User Health Card patients automatically transfer to Care Plus?
Who is eligible for Care Plus?
A person is eligible for Care Plus if they are enrolled in a PHO and who:
Is assessed by a doctor or nurse at their general practice and who could benefit from 'intensive clinical management in primary care' (at least two hours of care from one or more members of the primary health care team) over the following six months; and either
Has two or more chronic health
conditions so long as each condition is one that:
-- is a significant disability or has a significant burden of morbidity;
and
-- creates a significant cost to the health system; and
-- has agreed and objective diagnostic criteria; and
-- continuity of care and a primary care team approach has an important
role in management; or
Has a terminal illness (defined as someone who has advanced, progressive disease whose death is likely within 12 months); or
Has had two acute medical or mental health related admissions in the past 12 months (excluding surgical admissions; or
Has had six first level service or similar primary care visits in the past six months (including emergency department visits); or
Is on active review for elective services.
Firstly talk to your usual family doctor or nurse to find
out if they are offering Care Plus. At the moment not every PHO is
offering the service but there are plans for every PHO to offer Care
Plus over the next few years.
Your family doctor or nurse will assess you to see if you are eligible
for Care Plus. If you are not eligible it may be that they can help you
in other ways or review your existing care.
What difference will I notice with Care Plus?
People who use Care Plus will get an initial comprehensive assessment when they visit their practice. An individual care plan will be developed to set realistic, achievable health and quality of life-related goals, with regular follow-ups. People using Care Plus will get effective management of chronic health conditions, better understanding of their conditions and support to make lifestyle changes.
How much will Care Plus cost me?
These services will be provided at a low or reduced cost.
Can people who are not enrolled in a PHO practice get this new service?
No.
Is Care Plus replacing the High User Health Card?
Not immediately. Over time, Care Plus will replace the High Use Health Card (HUHC) as the means of targeting high-needs patients. Where Care Plus differs from the HUHC is that Care Plus is a comprehensive approach to improve outcomes for people with chronic conditions, including lower cost access, whereas the HUHC is a subsidy approach tied to GP visits.
Will High User Health Card patients automatically transfer to Care Plus?
No, not automatically. When HUHC patients come for their annual review, they should be assessed to see whether they are eligible for Care Plus. If they are, they will be transferred.
Which PHOs are offering
Care Plus in CMDHB?
Te Kupenga O Hoturoa Charitable Trust
TaPasefika Health Trust
Procare Network Manukau
East Health Trust
Peoples Healthcare Trust
Mangere Community Health Trust (from 1 April 2005)
Tamaki Primary Healthcare Organisation (from 1 January 2005)
Published: 22-Sep-2006 | Website enquiries: Web Content Manager