DVA will only pay for medical assessments when they’ve been formally requested and approved by DVA. Approval is confirmed through a Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which is issued to an appropriate provider before an appointment can take place.
Medical assessments and subsequent reports arranged without a TRN are not approved by DVA. We refer to these as unsolicited medical assessments and/or reports. Expenses related to these remain the responsibility of the veteran. You can still arrange an assessment without a TRN, however it will not be covered by DVA unless it has been requested and approved.
Medical assessments require a TRN and are not part of the Medical Expenses Privately Incurred (MEPI) arrangement. Under MEPI, medical expenses can only be reimbursed for treatment.
If you are considering lodging a claim, to help your claim progress smoothly, all relevant medical evidence should be submitted when you lodge your claim, or as early as possible during the claim process. This helps DVA understand what information is already available and whether any further assessments are needed. All evidence submitted to support a claim will be considered as part of the claim investigation.
If you are unsure whether your assessment has been approved or whether additional information is required, please contact the Claims Support Officer (CSO) or the Delegate who is managing your claim. This is an essential step before booking an appointment with your GP if you don’t want to be left with the bill for an unsolicited medical assessment
DVA sends the medical assessment forms and the TRN, used for invoicing, directly to the veteran’s treating medical practitioner. When this happens, notification is provided to the veteran and the nominated representative where required. DVA will only pay invoices for additional assessments that have been requested and approved by DVA before the appointment and where all other requirements have been met.
DVA is aware there is some misinformation circulating about when DVA will cover the cost of medical assessments. Be cautious of advice or offers suggesting your assessment will be paid for without prior approval, as this is not the case.
More information is available on the DVA website, visit [What to expect after you have submitted a compensation claim | Department of Veterans' Affairs