Common PPA Items (Vaccines, B12, Contraceptives, etc.)

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The Reimbursement Process Explained

Introduction

By now, you know how Personally Administered Items (PPA) are reimbursed—and why that process matters to your practice’s finances. But which items get claimed most often? Let’s explore the “bread and butter” PPA items you’ll typically encounter in day-to-day general practice, and why they’re so pivotal to both patient care and practice income.

(For tips on actually purchasing these items cost-effectively, jump ahead to Procuring Stock.)

1. Vaccines

• Flu Vaccines Perhaps the single biggest PPA driver in many practices. Each autumn, practices vaccinate large numbers of eligible patients against seasonal flu. This can form a substantial chunk of PPA income.

  • Key Point: Seasonal flu vaccines are not centrally supplied; you order and pay for them yourself, then claim reimbursement. (Unlike childhood immunisations, which come via ImmForm and aren’t reimbursable in the same way.)

• Travel Vaccines Common travel-related shots (e.g. hepatitis A, typhoid) may also be handled as PPA if you purchase and administer them in-house. (Although sometimes you’ll charge privately or refer to travel clinics depending on the scenario.)

• Other Adult Vaccines Pneumococcal, shingles, and other recommended adult vaccines can also appear in PPA claims if they aren’t centrally supplied.

(Learn more about how these items get recorded and claimed en masse in Coding & Claiming Best Practices.)

2. Vitamin B12 Injections

• High-Volume Staple B12 deficiency is common, and many patients require regular injections (often every two or three months).

• Simple, But Easy to Miss Each individual dose is relatively low cost, yet collectively B12 injections can add up to a substantial figure each year - if you remember to claim them.

• Tip: A prime candidate for “we’ll stock it, so patients don’t need a prescription.” Most practices find it more convenient to give in-house than deal with pharmacy collection.

3. Contraceptive Injections & Implants

• Depo-Provera The intramuscular injection given roughly every 12 weeks. Practices typically keep a supply on-site for quick administration.

• Nexplanon (Implant) A popular long-acting reversible contraceptive, fitted in the practice. Because it’s often brand-specific and not always discounted, keep an eye on costs vs. reimbursement.

• Intrauterine Devices (IUDs/IUSs) E.g., the Mirena coil - another mid-to-high-cost device. Check you aren’t paying more than the NHS will reimburse.

(For advice on what to do if an item is more expensive than the official refund, see Deciding When to Use Practice Stock vs. FP10.)

4. Steroid & Hormone Injections

• Joint Injections Triamcinolone (Kenalog), hydrocortisone, or other steroid injections used for musculoskeletal issues.

• Hormonal Therapy Implants For prostate cancer (e.g., goserelin/Zoladex) or endometriosis. These can be quite expensive, so double-check if your supplier’s cost aligns with your expected reimbursement.

• Corticosteroid Injections for Dermatology Occasionally used for keloids, alopecia areata, etc. Again, if you buy and administer, it’s PPA-eligible.

5. Minor Surgery Items

• Local Anaesthetics Lidocaine or lidocaine-plus-adrenaline vials used in minor surgical procedures or coil fittings.

• Sutures & Skin Closure Strips If these appear in the NHS Drug Tariff, they can be claimed as personally administered.

• Diagnostic Reagents Less common, but things like tuberculin test solutions or other test reagents can qualify.

(Want more hands-on info for actually ordering these items? Continue to Procuring Stock.)

Practical Considerations

1. Volume vs. Margin

   • Some items (like flu vaccines) are lower margin but very high volume. Others (like hormone implants) might be high cost, meaning your practice stands to lose money if your supplier price is above the reimbursement rate.

2. Storage & Expiry

   • Vaccines, injectables, and devices all require careful inventory management. Don’t over-order - expired stock is wasted money.

3. Check the Lists

   • Always confirm an item is allowed as personally administered (check BNF, Drug Tariff, or the NHSBSA Knowledge Base). If in doubt, see Coding & Claiming Best Practices for how to verify codes.

Next Steps

Knowing which items are most commonly claimed helps you anticipate costs, manage stock, and streamline your claim process. But how do you get your hands on these supplies cost-effectively?

Next: Procuring Stock: How Practices Obtain PPA Items

Looking for More?

• If you’re still unsure about exactly how each item’s claim is calculated, revisit The Reimbursement Process Explained.

• Curious about how to code them seamlessly in EMIS? See Coding & Claiming Best Practices (EMIS Focus).