Furphies with Kahlil
Countering misinformation with the Repatriation Commissioner
As your Repatriation Commissioner I spend hours talking with veterans and I worry about the misinformation in our community. These furphies can be harmful. Here I’ll provide the facts.
Furphy: The claims system is so complicated you need to pay an advocate.
Nope. Over half of veterans who submit a claim do so themselves without advocate assistance.
For some veterans and their families, the claims process can be overwhelming. These veterans deserve help and there are free services available, including qualified advocates and DVA Claims Support Officers.
Reputable advocates can be awesome – particularly when they are free. It’s important to know you don’t have to pay if you don’t want to.
If you choose to pay an advocate, check their credentials and understand their fees. Some are good. Don’t trust anyone who claims they have a “special arrangement with DVA” to get your claims done faster.
From 1 July this year, for some of us older veterans, the process became simpler as we are now dealing with only one Act, not up to 3. The claims process is what it is. Just follow the bouncing ball and be careful of people seeking to profit from your entitlements.
Furphy: The $5,000 annual threshold for allied health services will disadvantage veterans.
Sometimes DVA is funding “allied health services” that are not necessary or recommended by a doctor. I’ve seen examples and they’re not great. This change is not about stopping funding, but if overall costs exceed $5000 then there must be a “valid clinical need”.
For those not sure, allied health includes services such as physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy and podiatry. The changes do not apply to Open Arms, dental, optical, hearing, GP, specialist or pharmaceutical services.
The most important fact is that if you have a valid clinical need, you will be able to receive allied health support of more than $5,000 – in fact if it’s valid, funding is unlimited. The question is – what is valid clinical need, who determines it, and how?
These are legit questions and need to be answered. It’s a good thing these changes take place from 1 July next year. This provides time to properly understand impacts, communicate with veterans and providers, and develop processes and procedures. I guarantee veterans will be involved!
I can confirm that most veterans never exceed $5,000 for allied health, which means most won’t be impacted. I have also confirmed the fees for allied health services will increase, meaning more providers will probably offer their services to veterans.
The best advice I can give now is if you have any doubt about whether what you are doing has valid clinical need, have a chat to your GP.
Furphy: DVA’s updated Medicinal Cannabis Framework is too rigid and prevents some veterans from accessing treatment they need.
This has been a contentious issue.
One of my soldiers, who was significantly injured following an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan, has had his life positively changed through using medicinal cannabis. But he manages its use incollaboration with his GP.
I have also met with veterans drugged out of their minds. This is exploitation of ill veterans and it is tragic. All medication needs to be used properly. The use of cannabis as a medication can’t get out of control.
Medicinal cannabis use, with rules to make it safe, can be effective. DVA’s updated framework promotes proper use and minimises exploitation and other real health risks. I’ve written a digger-speak “fact sheet” that is being sent to all veterans who access medicinal cannabis. I hope it helps explain things.
But what is a Furphy?
The word Furphy dates back to the First World War, where horse drawn water carts from ‘Furphy & Sons’ were widely used in Australian Army camps. Soldiers gathered around them to talk, and soon rumours, tall tales and gossip of dubious veracity flowed!
As Repatriation Commissioner, Kahlil is independent of DVA.