Information & Support
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The AV Connect Program is Not just service related
Non-Government, no fees, no endorsements, no commissions, no products.
Most comprehensive Australian Veteran support linking Network.
58 comprehensive TOPICs and growing
The Av Connect Program makes information available on the understanding that we are not thereby engaged in rendering professional advice. We will make every reasonable effort to maintain current and accurate information. Users should carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of this information for their purposes before relying on the material. Users should always obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.
FIrst point of contact is DVA, however; you may also wish to seek assistance from a Veteran Organisation near you for further information and support. Advocates also have well being officers to assist.
The information regarding the DVA issued cards is an overview, please use the links for detailed information directly from DVA.
The Veteran White Card may cover:
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treatment at a hospital or day procedure facility
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treatment provided by an allied health professional
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treatment provided by a general practitioner (GP) or specialist
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treatment provided by a dental or optical professional
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medicines at the cheaper concession rate
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community nursing; and
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pathology and medical imaging
The Veteran White Card may also cover:
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counselling
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travel to and from medical appointments
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care services
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You should always inform your health provider that you have a white card and check if they will accept the card for the treatment you wish to obtain. The provider may contact DVA regarding your accepted conditions.
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Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program
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It is important to remember that you may need to have an assessed clinical need.
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The services and support may be different depending on the service being provided, here are some links:
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home help – Veterans' Home Care
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travel – make a transport booking, reimbursing travel expenses under VEA, and reimbursing travel expenses under MRCA or DRCA; and
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care services – respite care, convalescent care and community nursing
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If your doctor provides you with a prescription for a condition covered by your White Card, then at the pharmacy show them the white card for the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).
White Cards can be used anywhere in Australia but can not be used overseas. If you are travelling or residing overseas you need to contact DVA prior to departure.
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In addition, former ADF may receive treatment for the following conditions, whether service related or not:
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any mental health condition
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cancer (malignant neoplasm)
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pulmonary tuberculosis.
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Your white card will cover you for a specific condition, and if the health provider diagnosis you with another unrelated injury or disease then you will need to submit another claim for the new diagnosis.
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A person who has a Veteran White Card can also get:
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free transport to the place where a health care professional will see or treat them
The following services are listed on DVA site as covered by the treatment cycle. Make sure before you book an appointment that you have an accepted condition for the service below. Contact DVA first.
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clinical psychology
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diabetes education
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neuropsychology
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occupational therapy (mental health)
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psychology
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social work
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social work (mental health)
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Exceptions to the treatment cycle Treatments
Some allied health treatments are not included in the treatment cycle:
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counselling services with Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
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therapies that have other treatment limits
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Alternative Therapy
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acupuncture
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massage techniques
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DVA Does not cover the following but not limited to alternative therapies
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acupuncture and acupressure
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aromatherapy
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equine therapy
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homeopathy
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hypnotherapy and hypnosis
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massage or therapeutic touch
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meditation
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music therapy
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reflexology and relaxation therapy
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reiki
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tai chi
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yoga
The Veteran Gold Card covers:
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medical and surgical care
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medical consultations and procedures that the MBS covers
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medical services and surgical procedures the MBS lists and which a health care professional performs in public and private hospitals and day surgery facilities
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medical specialist services the MBS lists
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medication reviews
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Approval can be sought for medical services that the MBS does not list
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The Veteran Gold Card may also cover:
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pathology and x-rays
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nuclear medicine imaging
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ultrasound and computerised tomography
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Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program
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It is important to remember that you may need to have an assessed clinical need.
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When buying prescription items, you will need to pay $6.80 for each item until you reach your for the calendar year. From 01/07/2022 the Safety Net threshold will be $244.80.
A person who has a Veteran Gold Card can also get:
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free transport to the place where a health care professional will see or treat them
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access to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
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The following providers can refer you for allied health treatments
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general practitioners (GPs)
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medical specialists
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hospital discharge planners
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other health care professionals as part of a hospital discharge
It is important to remember that you may need to have an assessed clinical need.
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DVA mentions treatment cycles. It means that referrals to allied health services are valid for up to 12 sessions of treatment or 1 year, whichever ends first. Clients can have as many treatment cycles as their GP decides are clinically necessary.
DVA also stated that you can also have:
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a separate treatment cycle for each allied health service you need; and
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treatment cycles for different allied health services at the same time
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The following services are listed on DVA site as covered by the treatment cycle
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clinical psychology
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diabetes education
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neuropsychology
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occupational therapy (mental health)
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psychology
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social work
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social work (mental health)
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Exceptions to the treatment cycle Treatments
Some allied health treatments are not included in the treatment cycle:
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counselling services with Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
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therapies that have other treatment limits
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TPI clients
The treatment cycle does not apply to clients with a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Gold Card when a GP refers them to either:
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physiotherapy
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exercise physiology services
The treatment cycle will apply if the GP refers a TPI client to other allied health services, such as:
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occupational therapy
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podiatry
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psychology
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acupuncture
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massage techniques
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DVA Does not cover the following but not limited to alternative therapies
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acupuncture and acupressure
-
aromatherapy
-
equine therapy
-
homeopathy
-
hypnotherapy and hypnosis
-
massage or therapeutic touch
-
meditation
-
music therapy
-
reflexology and relaxation therapy
-
reiki
-
tai chi
-
yoga
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DVA Website states "Does DVA pay for pool or gym entry, general exercise programs, fitness centre or gym memberships?
No. Any treatment that is not clinically necessary cannot be billed under DVA's arrangements. If the DVA client wants to join a generalised exercise class, fitness or gym program, this needs to be a private arrangement between them and the EP or the fitness centre/ gym.
All consultation fees include any fees that might be payable to access a facility, such as payment for the DVA client's entry cost into a gym or pool."
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