For DVA to accept liability for a service related condition a compensation claim must be submitted and the claim accepted by DVA (except for conditions eligible for non-liability health care and provisional access to medical treatment).

Veterans who have a White Card are entitled to receive clinically necessary health care funded by DVA for their accepted condition. (Prior approval will be required for some items that are not on the MBS, PBS or RPBS). 

For White Card holders, you can view your patient’s health conditions that are covered by DVA in their MyServiceCards screen in myGov, on their device. The accepted conditions will be itemised in ‘Conditions listed’, under the image of their Veteran Card. 

You can also check what’s covered by calling 1800 550 457.

What is a veteran’s card?

What's a Veteran Card (dva.gov.au)

Veteran Card holders may present digital versions of their plastic DVA White or Gold Cards, which clients can access through the online DVA portal MyService. You can view your patient’s health conditions that are covered by DVA, below their digital card on their MyService account, on their device, once they log in. You can also check what’s covered by calling 1800 550 457.

DVA will pay for a veteran’s treatment for some conditions without accepting these conditions as service related (no claim required). DVA may cover:

•   a client's treatment costs by a mental health provider for any mental health condition, such as posttraumatic stress disorder – this is NLHC (mental health) and can be accessed by any veteran after one day full time service 

• a client's treatment costs when diagnosed with cancer (malignant neoplasm) or pulmonary tuberculosis – there are service-related eligibility criteria.

Under the Provisional Access to Medical Treatment program, or PAMT, DVA will pay for the treatment for certain conditions before liability has been accepted. The list of conditions eligible for PAMT is found at Get treatment while you wait on a claim (PAMT) | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)

This means that once your patient has submitted a claim, and the GP completes the Treatment Confirmation Form agreeing that the veteran’s injury or disease is related to a condition on the form, they do not have to wait for DVA to approve their claim before they can access DVA funded treatment.

As long as the consultation includes the accepted condition the whole consultation can be billed to DVA.

How do I refer a patient to DVA funded allied health care? 

GPs can refer DVA clients to an allied health provider if they have a clinical need. You will need to follow the treatment cycle. A referral for the specified condition or conditions lasts either 12 sessions or 1 year. Clients can have as many treatment cycles as you decide is clinically necessary. When the treatment ends the allied health provider will send you an end of cycle report.

You cannot charge gap fees if you accept veteran card payments.

You should refer to the closest practicable specialist who is willing to accept DVA’s treatment arrangements and fee schedules.

DVA will fund the medical and surgical treatment of entitled persons as a private hospital patient in public hospitals, contracted private hospitals, contracted private mental health hospitals and contracted day procedure centres. Contracted facilities are found at:

Hospitals | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Prior approval is required before referring a patient to treatment in a non-contracted private hospital, non-contracted private mental health hospital and non–contracted day procedure centres.

Item 23: Consultation less than 20 mins

Item 36: Consultation of at least 20 minutes

Item 44: Consultation of at least 40 minutes

Department of Veterans' Affairs Quick guide for GPs (dva.gov.au)

Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling provides a range of free services to assist the ex-serving community and their families. This includes face to face or telehealth counselling, group programs and peer support.

Who we help | Open Arms