Overview of Health Services Available to the Veteran Community

Transcription

1 Department of Veterans Affairs DVA FACTS Services for Veterans HSV 01 Overview of Health Services Available to the Veteran Community Purpose This fact sheet lists the range of health services available, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), to entitled veterans, war widows and widowers, and dependants. What health services are available to the eligible veteran community at DVA's expense? DVA will pay for the following health services for eligible veterans, war widows and widowers, and dependants: acupuncture performed by a medical practitioner chiropractic and osteopathic community nursing dental hearing medical consultations and procedures listed on the MBS* medical services and surgical procedures listed on the MBS* undertaken in public and private hospitals and day surgery facilities medical specialist services listed on the MBS* nutrition and dietetic occupational therapy optometrical oxygen pathology pharmaceuticals physiotherapy podiatry and footwear psychology radiology rehabilitation aids and appliances respite care social work speech pathology X-rays, nuclear medicine imaging, ultrasound and computerised tomography. Last updated: 19 Aug 02 Page 1 of 5

2 What health services are available to the eligible veteran community at DVA's expense? *DVA will not normally meet the cost of medical and specialist services not listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), although exceptions can be made in special circumstances. Your treatment provider will need to obtain approval from DVA in such cases. Do any restrictions apply? There are limits and restrictions that apply to some types of services available. For example, medical services are subject to the requirements of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Some treatments require prior financial authorisation from DVA. Are there any health services not available? DVA will not pay for some health services including naturopathy, iridology, and remedial massage. If you are unsure as to whether DVA will pay for a particular service, you should contact a DVA office prior to having the treatment. How will I know if I am entitled to health services? You may be entitled to health services, depending on whether you have Gold Card entitlement, White Card entitlement or Orange Card entitlement**. Even if you are entitled you must have a clinical need for treatment before DVA will accept financial responsibility. ** If you have an Orange Card, and no White Card entitlement, you are eligible for pharmaceutical health services only. There are specific DVA fact sheets on the range of treatment listed. Each fact sheet provides details about the particular service. Other fact sheets Other fact sheets related to this topic include: Ambulance: HSV 120 Arrangements for Paying for Treatment for Compensation Cases or Damages (section 93) claim cases: HSV 100 Care in Nursing Homes and Hostels - An Overview: HSV 05 Carer Support Programs: HSV 40 Last updated: 19 Aug 02 Page 2 of 5

3 Chiropractic and Osteopathic Services: HSV 15 Last updated: 19 Aug 02 Page 3 of 5

4 Other fact sheets Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: IS 126 Community Medication Reviews: HSV 90 Community Nursing Services: HSV 16 Community Transport: HSV 123 Convalescent Care: HSV 77 Dental Services: HSV 17 Dietetic Services: HSV 21 Health Promotion Activities: HSV 44 Health Services for Veterans with Cancer: HSV 66 Hearing Services: HSV 22 Home and Community Care: HSV 04 Home Modification: HSV 105 Information about Discharge Planning: HSV 75 Local Medical Officer Services: HSV 80 Meal and Accommodation Allowances: HSV 122 Medical Expenses Privately Incurred: HSV 64 Occupational Therapy Services: HSV 23 Optical Services and Supplies: HSV 18 Other Commonwealth and Allied Veterans (excluding United Kingdom): HSV 63 Oxygen: HSV 24 Physiotherapy Services: HSV 19 Podiatry and Footwear Services: HSV 20 Private Motor Vehicle, Bus, Train, Tram and Ferry Travel, and Parking Expenses: HSV 124 Program of Appliances for to Disabled People: HSV 106 Psychology Services: HSV 25 Receiving Health Services while Overseas: HSV 65 Rehabilitation Appliance Program: HSV 107 Repatriation Health Card - For All Conditions (Gold): HSV 60 Repatriation Health Card - For Specific Conditions (White): HSV 61 Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange): HSV 69 Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: HSV 92 Repatriation Private Patients Scheme: HSV 76 Respite Care: HSV 06 Social Work Services: HSV 26 Specialist Services: HSV 81 Speech Pathology Services: HSV 27 Last updated: 19 Aug 02 Page 4 of 5

5 Other fact sheets Taxi, Booked Car with Driver and Air Travel: HSV 125 Travel with an Authorised Attendant: HSV 121 United Kingdom Veterans: HSV 62 Vietnam Veterans Eligibility for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: HSV 68 Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme for Veterans: HSV 108 More information All DVA fact sheets are available on request from any DVA office or on the DVA website at If you need more information about this topic, contact your nearest DVA office or visit the DVA website at DVA telephone numbers: General Inquiries Connects callers from anywhere to their capital city State Office. Non-metropolitan Callers Connects non-metropolitan callers only to the capital city State Office. Dialling from interstate Allows callers to contact any State office via a series of voice prompts. Local Veterans Affairs Network (VAN) offices Connects callers with their nearest VAN office Note: *If you use a mobile phone, calls may be more costly. You are advised to use a normal phone (i.e. a landline phone) when ringing these numbers. Last updated: 19 Aug 02 Page 5 of 5