‘Free’ medications, wellness packs and competitions – what are you really signing up for?

Have you ever been curious and clicked on a link because it said you can access free medications delivered to your home? Maybe you’ve been tempted by exclusive veteran-only, free-to-enter competitions or other enticing offers like a free wellness pack?

While these may look like great opportunities with ‘no strings attached’, all may not be what it seems.

By clicking on a ‘free offer’ link, you might find you’ve been signed up for medical services, including DVA’s Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) program, without your agreement or knowledge. 

While CVC is a valid DVA-funded program, it’s important for Veteran Card holders to understand that free medications* and other inducements are not a part of a CVC care plan and should not be the basis for your enrolment in the CVC program.    

Your CVC comprehensive care plan is developed in consultation with your usual GP and care coordinator to manage your ongoing care. It should include the medical treatment you are receiving, details of your allied health services, and goals so you can improve your health, wellbeing and quality of life. Before enrolling you into the CVC program, your GP must explain the program to you, and obtain and record your informed consent to participate.

Some veterans who are already enrolled in the CVC program with their usual GP find themselves enrolled for a second time (without their knowledge) because of an inducement. If this happens, it will impact payment to your usual GP, and may leave them out of pocket because another provider has claimed the payment. It might also inhibit your access to appropriate healthcare from the medical professionals who are best placed to deliver your comprehensive care.

Be on the lookout for the following signals that you may have been signed up for medical services without your informed agreement:

• You are receiving multiple unsolicited calls from service providers who don’t clearly identify themselves, who may allude to DVA in broad non-committal terms, and who continue to call regularly even if you ask them not to.
• Your usual GP and other health providers may tell you they are having trouble claiming payments from DVA. 
• You are not able to easily opt out of services that you don’t need or want.

If you think this may have happened to you, please contact DVA by calling 1800 VETERAN or submitting online feedback via the DVA website. 

Learn more about the CVC program by visiting the CVC web page.

* DVA funds medicines through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS). There is a co-payment until you reach the Safety Net threshold. Further information is at  Concessional medicines under the RPBS | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)