Chapter 7 - Your health
- Repatriation health cards
If you lose your card
Who is eligible for a Gold Card
Who is eligible for a White Card
- Access to medical and health care providers
Gold Card and White Card holders
If you need to travel for treatment
Optical services
Dental services
Hearing services
Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
Medical Grade Footwear
If you need to go to hospital
If you need an ambulance
Health care overseas
- Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card)
- Pharmaceutical services
- Counselling
This chapter is about the range of health support services available to you, including information about the Repatriation Health Cards, access to medical and health care providers, pharmaceutical services and counselling.
Repatriation Health Cards
There are different levels of eligibility for treatment benefits. If you are eligible, a Gold or a White Repatriation Health Card entitles you to the services provided under the Repatriation Health Care system at DVA’s expense.
The Gold Card - ‘Repatriation Health Card for All Conditions’ gives you access to a wide range of public and private health care services, for the treatment, at DVA expense, of all your health care conditions whether war or service related or not.
The White Card - ‘Repatriation Health Card for Specific Conditions’ gives access to a wide range of public and private health care services for the treatment, at DVA expense, of your disabilities and conditions accepted as war or service related.
Veterans of the Australian Defence Forces may also receive treatment for the following whether service related or not:
- cancer (malignant neoplasia);
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- post traumatic stress disorder; and
- anxiety and/or depression.
Elsewhere in this guide, the above conditions are referred to as 'special conditions'.
Veterans, members of the defence forces, or peacekeepers may also receive treatment for any unidentifiable condition that arises within 15 years of an eligible period of service. Treatment is provided until a determination is made about the nature of the condition and its relationship to service. Treatment will continue if the condition is service related.
You should present your Gold or White Card whenever you attend a health care provider.
If you lose your card
If your card is lost, stolen or damaged you should contact your nearest DVA office immediately so your card can be reissued. In the 3-4 weeks for your replacement card to arrive, your health provider may phone DVA to confirm your eligibility and entitlements.
Who is eligible for a Gold Card?
A Gold Card is issued to veterans of the Australian Defence Forces who:
- receive service pension; and are
within treatment income and assets limits; or
permanently blind in both eyes; - are aged 70 or over with qualifying service;
- receive a disability pension
at or above 100% of the general rate; or
at or above 50% of the general rate and any amount of service pension; - are ex-prisoners of war;
- receive an allowance for specific service-related amputations or blindness.
A Gold Card is also issued to a war widow or widower in receipt of the war widow's or war widower’s pension.
| Fact Sheet: IS15 |
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| Health Care Eligibility for Service Pensioners (PDF version) |
| Health Care Eligibility for Service Pensioners (HTML version) |
| Fact Sheet: HSV 60 |
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| Repatriation Health Card - For All Conditions (Gold) (PDF version) |
| Repatriation Health Card - For All Conditions (Gold) (HTML version |
Who is eligible for a White Card ?
A White Card is issued to veterans of the Australian Defence Forces who have an accepted disability. You do not have to be in receipt of an income support pension or disability pension to be issued with a White Card. Veterans of British, Commonwealth and allied forces may also be issued with a White Card for disabilities accepted as war caused by their governments.
For more information about receiving a Gold Card or a White Card contact your nearest DVA office.
| Fact Sheet: IS160 |
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| Overview of Cards Available to Veterans and their Dependants (PDF version) |
| Overview of Cards Available to Veterans and their Dependants (HTML version) |
| Fact Sheet: HSV61 |
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| Repatriation Health Card - Specific Conditions (White) (PDF version) |
| Repatriation Health Card - Specific Conditions (White) (HTML version) |
Access to Medical and Health Care Providers
Gold Card and White Card holders
If you have a Gold Card, or a White Card for an accepted disability or special condition, you can access general medical, dental and optometry services without a referral.
With a current referral from your local medical officer, general practitioner, medical specialist, treating doctor in hospital, discharge planner or equivalent allied health provider, you also have access to:
- specialists;
- physiotherapists, occupational therapists, osteopaths and chiropractors;
- podiatrists;
- clinical psychologists, clinical counsellors and social workers;
- dietitians;
- speech pathologists; and
- hearing services.
Services will only be provided to meet your clinical needs. Your health provider may need to seek DVA approval before a service can be provided.
If you need to travel for treatment
DVA’s Repatriation Transport Scheme assists with travelling expenses for a Gold Card holder, or a White Card holder. These expenses are based on the cost of a veteran attending the closest practical health provider to their temporary or permanent residence.
To receive assistance you must travel by the most economical and suitable means of transport available at the time. The scheme’s intention is to assist with the costs of transport, accommodation and meals, but not necessarily reimburse the entire costs incurred. In order to claim reimbursement a transport cost must be incurred. That is, any form of free transport cannot be claimed and then reimbursed by DVA.
Where the health provider certifies that it is medically essential that a veteran travel by taxi or hire car to specific treatment locations, the department may provide a Booked Car with Driver (BCWD) service.
Eligible veterans aged 80 years and over, or who are legally blind, or are suffering from dementia automatically qualify for the use of BCWD services for travel to all approved treatment.
Note: BCWD is not available in all locations.
A Claim for Travelling Expenses (D800) form is used to claim reimbursement and is available from your nearest
DVA office. or from the internet site www.dva.gov.au/clientforms/default.htm.
| Fact Sheet: HSV02 |
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| Overview of the Repatriation Transport Scheme (PDF version) |
| Overview of the Repatriation Transport Scheme (HTML version) |
Optical Services
Gold Card holders can obtain optical services, including optometric assessments for spectacles, contact lenses or low vision aids via any optometrist registered with DVA. Generally, in a two year period you may receive:
- one pair of spectacles with bifocals, trifocals or progressive power lenses; or
- one pair of reading and one pair of distance spectacles.
If your vision changes significantly, before the two year period ends, you may receive replacement lenses.
White Card holders should confirm their eligibility with DVA for optical services before visiting their optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Dental services
For Gold Card holders, DVA will pay for most dental services provided by a DVA registered Local Dental Officer (LDO). Services must be necessary to meet an assessed need. Some items are subject to an annual monetary limit or a time limit. Generally, you are entitled to new dentures every 8 years. Prior approval from DVA is required for earlier replacement.
For White Card holders, DVA will pay for dental services that meet an assessed need associated with an accepted disability. White Card holders should contact DVA to confirm their eligibility before seeking dental treatment for accepted disabilities.
Hearing Services
Hearing services available to eligible members of the veteran community include hearing assessments and rehabilitation, including the fitting of a free hearing aid/device to meet the individual’s clinical needs. If you require hearing services, your Local Medical Officer (LMO) will refer you directly to the Office of Hearing Services (OHS).
If you need more information on hearing services contact your nearest DVA office.
| Fact Sheet: HSV22 |
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| Hearing Services (PDF version) |
| Hearing Services (HTML version) |
Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
This program provides eligible veterans, war widows and widowers with aids to daily living, surgical appliances and home modifications for which they have an assessed clinical need. Products and services provided range from consumable items such as continence pads to mobility appliances.
Gold Card holders can receive appliances for a clinical need, as assessed by appropriate health professionals. White Card holders can do so only for their accepted disabilities or relevant determined conditions. Veterans and war widows who need assistance under the program should initially contact their LMO.
If you need
more information, contact your nearest
DVA office.
| Fact Sheet: HSV107 |
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| Rehabilitation Appliances Program (PDF version) |
| Rehabilitation Appliances Program (HTML version) |
Medical Grade Footwear
Gold Card holders can receive medical grade footwear if assessed by a podiatrist, or appropriate health professional, as having a clinical need; and where stock footwear cannot be used, for the purpose of alleviating the effect of a recognised medical foot condition. White Card holders can do so only in relation to their accepted disabilities or relevant determinations.
If you need to go to hospital
Under the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (RPPS), Gold Card Holders or White Card Holders receiving treatment for an accepted disability or relevant determined condition may be admitted directly to a local public hospital, former Repatriation Hospital (RH) or a contracted Private Tier 1 Veteran Partnering (VP) hospital, as a private patient, in a shared ward, with the doctor of their choice.
For more information about the RPPS and hospitals you can be admitted to contact your nearest DVA office.
| Fact Sheet: HSV76 |
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| Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (PDF version) |
| Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (HTML version) |
| Fact Sheet: HSV74 |
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| Tips to assist with hospital admission & discharge (PDF version) |
| Tips to assist with hospital admission & discharge(HTML version) |
If you need an ambulance
If you need an ambulance in an emergency, dial ‘000’.
People with a DVA treatment entitlement may be eligible for ambulance travel to the closest hospital. DVA defines emergency as a situation where a patient requires immediate treatment in circumstances where there is serious threat to health or life. If there is a medical emergency and your LMO is not available, you or someone on your behalf may order ambulance transport. If you require transport in a non - emergency situation, such as to attend a medical appointment or hospital, your LMO can arrange ambulance transport if you meet State health and ambulance authority guidelines. Prior approval is not required in the preceding situation except in SA and WA.
For more information about eligibility for ambulance travel contact your nearest DVA office.
| Fact Sheet: HSV120 |
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| Ambulance Travel (PDF version) |
| Ambulance Travel (HTML version) |
Health care overseas
For information about health care overseas see Chapter 3 - Living Arrangements.
| Fact Sheet: HSV65 |
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| Receiving Health Services while Overseas (PDF version) |
| Receiving Health Services while Overseas (HTML version) |
Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card)
British, other Commonwealth or allied veterans with qualifying service from World War 1 or World War II, aged 70 years or over, and have been resident in Australia for 10 years or more, you may be eligible to receive a Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card). The Orange Card entitles you to receive a wide range of medicines and wound dressings prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of your medical conditions, under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Note: The Orange Card is for PHARMACEUTICALS ONLY and cannot be used for any medical or other health care treatment.
| Fact Sheet: HSV69 |
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| Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card) (PDF version) |
| Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card) (HTML version) |
Pharmaceutical Services
Gold Card and Orange Card holders have access to a wide range of medicines and wound dressings prescribed by their doctor for the treatment of their medical conditions. If you have a White Card, you can receive medicines and wound dressings for the treatment of your accepted disabilities and special conditions only.
You are required to pay a patient co-payment for each pharmaceutical item. There may be an extra charge for higher cost brands or therapeutic groups of some items.
Once you have made co-payments to the safety net threshold you will only have to pay any brand charges for your medicines and wound dressings for the rest of the calendar year. Your pharmacist can help you with recording your co-payments. You may also be eligible for a fortnightly pharmaceutical allowance to assist in the payment of medications. (See Chapter 6 - Benefits and services).
Counselling
VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service is a specialised, free and confidential Australia-wide service. VVCS staff are professionally qualified counsellors with expertise and experience in working within the areas of war related traumas and service related mental health conditions. Services offered include:
- individual, couple or family counselling;
- group programs for veterans, partners, sons and daughters;
- information and education.
For more information on who can access the VVCS services in metropolitan or rural areas, call 1800 011 046. This will connect you with the closest VVCS office or the Veterans Line after-hours counselling service.
Private practitioners including clinical psychologists and social workers can also provide counselling.
The Legacy organisation is also available to provide counselling, care and support to war widows or widowers and the children of deceased veterans.