Information for General Practitioners, Practice Nurses and other primary healthcare providers

Find all the key information you need when treating Veteran Card holders.

Back to top

Printable Quick Guides on DVA's Health Arrangements

These printable and easy to follow guides provide general practices the basics when presented with a veteran patient and claiming for key DVA services.

Back to top

COVID-19 temporary arrangements

We have COVID-19 information for all healthcare providers. This includes information on telehealth fee arrangements and support for vulnerable veterans.

Back to top

Patients who may be eligible for our services

Our clients use their Veteran Cards to pay for medical appointments at the DVA rate. You cannot charge gap fees with Veteran Card payments.

Veteran Cards provide different coverage for card holders. You need prior approval from us for treatments not listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

Not all card holders are veterans. Civilians including war widowed partners and dependants may also hold Veteran Cards.

What a Veteran Gold Card covers

Veteran Gold Card holders can access the following clinically necessary treatment, pharmaceuticals, support and services for all health conditions, even if they are not related to the veteran's services:

• MBS listed treatment and allied health
• non-Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) treatments if we give prior approval
• pharmaceutical items on the PBS or RPBS
• non-listed pharmaceutical items if our pharmacists give prior approval

What a Veteran White Card covers

Veteran White Card holders can access services for accepted conditions where it is clinically required. These are:

• MBS listed treatment and allied health
• non-MBS treatments if we give prior approval
• pharmaceutical items on the PBS or RPBS
• mental health care for a diagnosed mental health condition
• non-listed pharmaceutical items if our pharmacists give prior approval

What a Veteran Orange Card covers

Veteran Orange Card holders can access clinically required pharmaceutical items for all medical conditions if these items are:

• on the PBS or RPBS
• non-listed pharmaceutical items if our pharmacists give prior approval

Back to top

Compensation Claims

We compensate veterans for injuries and illnesses resulting from their Australian Defence Force (ADF) service. Military compensation allows them to access treatment, benefits and other supports at our expense.

We use medical assessments from GPs, psychiatrists and other healthcare providers as part of our compensation claims process. These assessments help us to understand:

• if the veteran’s injury or illness was the result of their ADF service
• what compensation and support the veteran needs.

Our quick guides will help you understand what we need from you, how you can support your patients and how you can get paid for your medical assessments.

Back to top

Referrals to other providers and services

When you treat our clients you may refer them to other providers or services. In some cases you may need to check with us before you refer a client.

Referrals to allied health providers

Referrals to allied health providers now last either 12 sessions or 1 year, whichever ends first. This is in accordance with the allied health treatment cycle

Referrals can be repeated, and the cycle can be renewed if ongoing treatment is required.

For veterans with chronic and severe health conditions the At Risk Client Framework (PDF 230 KB) may be applicable.

Veteran health checks

All veterans are entitled to a single comprehensive Veteran Health Check by their GP.

The one off health check uses standard health check MBS item numbers (701, 703 etc.).

For veterans who left the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after 30 June 2019 you can provide an annual veteran health check every year for the first 5 years post discharge

This annual Veteran Health Check uses the following DVA item numbers:

• MT701 brief health assessment, lasting no more than 30 minutes
• MT703 standard health assessment, lasting no more than 45 minutes
• MT705 long health assessment, lasting no more than 60 minutes
• MT707 prolonged health assessment, lasting more than 60 minute

Information to help you understand the veteran experience

Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling provides information about understanding the veteran experience. This can help you understand the impacts of this experience on your patient’s health and wellbeing.

Veterans in transition from the ADF may be new to Medicare and the public health system.

Back to top

Mental health programs and services

Fully funded mental health care

Under our Non Liability Health Care (NLHC) (mental health) arrangements, eligible veterans receive fully funded mental health treatment.

Funded counselling is available for veterans and their families through Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling

As well as counselling Open Arms also offers:

• veteran specific resources for practitioners
• apps and websites to help maintain the mental and physical health of veterans and their families

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs

We fund drug and alcohol programs at approved rehabilitation facilities

Mental Health Support – GP Assistance Hotline

Our Practitioner Support Service includes a Veteran Mental Health GP Assistance Hotline. The hotline provides GPs free of charge:

• support managing veterans with mental health conditions
• specialised psychiatrist and psychologist advice

The hotline is delivered by Phoenix Australia for our department.

You can call the hotline on 1800VET777 (1800 838 777)

Back to top

Other programs and services for veterans

Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program (CVC)

The Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program is available to eligible veterans with one or more chronic conditions and complex care needs which places them at risk of hospitalisation. The Program aims to improve participant’s wellbeing and quality of life while reducing the risk of unplanned hospitalisation. Managed by the patient’s GP and a nurse coordinator, the program aims to improve participant’s wellbeing and quality of life while reducing the risk of unplanned hospitalisation.

It’s for:

• Veteran Gold Card holders who have a chronic health condition, and
• Veteran White Card holders who have a DVA-accepted mental health condition

who are at a risk of unplanned hospitalisation.

They cannot be a:

• resident of a residential aged care facility
• Veteran White Card holder without an accepted mental health condition, including those with only Non-liability health care (NLHC) cover for mental health.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation services for eligible veterans are managed by contracted providers.

Independent living equipment

The Rehabilitation Appliances Program helps eligible card holders access a wide range of medical aids, equipment and home modifications to assist with independent living. This may include items such as electric scooters or compression garments.

Cancer and tuberculosis treatment

We fund cancer and tuberculosis treatment for eligible veterans.

Information on Medicinal Cannabis Funding

A treating doctor is able to make a submission to DVA to fund medicinal cannabis on a veteran’s behalf.

Hearing services

Our Hearing Services Program provides assistive listening devices to eligible clients.

Eligible Veteran Card holders access hearing aids through the Australian Health Department Hearing Services Program

We may provide extra hearing support if clinically required. This may include assisted listening devices and tinnitus management through the hearing program.

We have a brochure for veterans to help them understand hearing services.

Help at home

Veterans’ Home Care can assist with household tasks for eligible veterans and dependants.

Our Community Nursing Program provides nursing visits for eligible Veteran Card holders in their home. You can refer to this program using the DVA referral form

Hospitals and day procedure centres

Eligible Veteran Card holders can be admitted to private hospitals and day procedure centres (including Mental Health facilities) if the hospital is contracted with us.

Transport

Get transport for a Veteran Card holder when they travel to a medical appointment.

Back to top

Health provider information and forms

Our forms are available online. As a primary healthcare provider you may commonly need to use forms for:

• referrals to specialists and allied health providers. GP referrals to allied health services are valid for up to 12 sessions of treatment or 1 year, whichever ends first, as above
• the prior approval form for non-MBS listed treatments
• other services such as Rehabilitation appliances

You need to request prior approval from us before providing non-schedule treatments. Use our form or your own stationery to refer a Veteran Card holder to other practitioners.

Fees

Our Schedule of Fees lists funded medical services and item numbers.

You cannot charge gap fees with Veteran Card payments.

Incentives are available for GPs to treat Veteran Card holders.

Health arrangements

Our Notes for General Practitioners describe health arrangements between us and GPs. Check DVA Provider News for updates to health arrangements.

Back to top

Pharmacy and veterans

The Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) provides access to a larger range of medicines and wound care items than are on the PBS Schedule. For quick pharmacy advice or to get a prescription approved you can ring our 24-hour advice line on 1800 552 580

Veterans’ MATES provides tailored information to GPs about appropriate medication use for your patient.

Back to top

Training resources

We offer a range of training online. Continuing professional development courses are available, as well as a wound care module and PTSD information.

Back to top

Contact us

We have provider specific contact numbers to help you. For general enquiries contact the Health Provider Line on 1800 550 457. We will help you with your enquiry or connect you to the right area.

You can also contact us for:

• 24-hour pharmacy approvals and advice on 1800 552 580
• transport bookings on 1800 550 455
• invoicing and billing enquiries on 1300 550 017

Back to top