What's new?

Changes to DVA Cards

Card File Numbers

Cards may have extra zeros added to the file number field to correctly align card file numbers to DVA systems. This change does not change the way the cards may be used.

Scanning Numbers

The new cards have removed the large number across the centre of previous cards has been removed. This number has been removed as it is no longer required. This change does not change the way the cards may be used.

Overseas Cardholders

All eligible veterans, war widows/widowers and dependants living overseas have, been issued with a DVA card. This removes the need for veterans to contact DVA to receive a "letter of authority" when receiving medical treatment within Australia.
Entitlement to treatment overseas is limited to veterans that have accepted disability/disabilities as DVA funds treatment of accepted disabilities only. The process for receiving treatment while overseas will not change.

Magnetic Stripe and Online Claiming

The magnetic strip on DVA cards now contain veterans' details, as they appear on the front of the card.

The magnetic stripe on the cards contains the following information:

  • full name;
  • file number;
  • card type; and
  • expiry date.

Security Upgrade

All DVA cards have microprinting and a DVA registered hologram. The microprinting and hologram are added security features to ensure non entitled persons cannot reproduce a card.

I have not received a new card

All cards have now been delivered. Please contact DVA if you have not received your card. DVA providers will accept old cards until the expiry date shown on the card. DVA eligible veterans, war widows/widowers and dependants should use their old cards until their new card arrives.

Please email us with questions or feedback.

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Online Claiming

What is Online Claiming?

It is a fast and efficient method of claiming for treatment you have provided to DVA card holders.

Online Claiming and DVA Cards

To be able to swipe DVA cards your EFTPOS device and practice management software needs to be updated to allow for the card to be read by the device and to be incorporated into your existing practice management system. You should contact your Software Vendor to discuss this upgrade.

Who do I contact to update my Practice Management Software?

Please contact your software vendor, who in turn may need to contact Medicare Australia to enable this feature.

Where do I get the DVA formats for the EFTPOS Device?

Please contact card.enquiries@dva.gov.au and request the DVA Formats for the EFTPOS Device.

What about HICAPS and Easy Claim?

HICAPS and Easy Claim are separate systems that do not process DVA claims; therefore DVA cards will not swipe through these systems. For further details on DVA Online Claiming contact Medicare Australia or DVA Online Claiming.

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Individual Healthcare Identifier Service

With the passing of new legislation, all persons will receive Individual Healthcare Identifiers (IHIs) under the Healthcare Identifiers Act. This will boost safety and quality for persons and cut waste and duplication.

Medicare Australia is assigning unique, 16-digit individual healthcare identifiers to the Australian public from the 1 July 2010.This is a key building block in the Government’s e-Health reform agenda – helping to deliver a better, more streamlined health system for Australian families.

DVA treatment card holders

  • DVA treatment card holders allocated a healthcare identifier will continue to receive health services under DVA health care arrangements.
  • The healthcare identifier will not replace either the DVA file number or treatment cards.
  • Healthcare identifiers will assist healthcare providers access the patient health information they require to make treatment decisions.
  • Gold, White and Orange card holders should continue to present their card when receiving DVA funded health services.
  • Veterans’ privacy will continue to be protected under existing Commonwealth, state and territory law.

More information about healthcare identifiers and the healthcare identifiers service is available via e-health or Medicare Australia.