Hospital Circulars

Hospital Circular 11/2003

Date Issued: 17 June 2003

Publication: 11/2003

Distribution: Public Hospitals

Enquiries: Head Office

Subject: DVA (Department of Veteran's Affairs) - Information about entitlement cards

---

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has been asked by the Department of Veterans' Affairs DVA to remind hospitals about the DVA Repatriation Health Care entitlement cards with regard to arrangements for veteran's hospital treatment.

The Repatriation Private Patient Scheme enables eligible veterans to be treated as private patients at the public hospital of their choice. Not all veterans are eligible for treatment under the Scheme and eligibility must be established before treatment occurs.

Eligibility for hospital treatment can be established by confirming whether the patient holds a Repatriation Health Card. There are two health cards issued to eligible beneficiaries, as follows:

The Gold Repatriation Health Card

The Gold Repatriation Health Card is for all conditions. Gold card holders have full eligibility. That is, they are eligible for DVA-funded services for all of their medical conditions, but it does not include services such as cosmetic surgery unless specifically authorised by DVA.

The White Repatriation Health Card

White card holders have specific eligibility for treatment for: accepted disabilities (conditions accepted by the Repatriation Commission as war caused); and/or malignant neoplasia, pulmonary tuberculosis and post-traumatic stress disorder, for Australian Veterans only, where DVA has received a claim for treatment for these conditions from the Veteran or on their behalf; and/or anxiety and depression, for Australian Vietnam Veterans only, where diagnosed by a psychiatrist and DVA has received an 'Authority to Release Personal Information - Vietnam Veterans Treatment of Depressive/Anxiety Disorder' form.

 

As DVA will only pay for treatment provided to eligible veterans and war widows, it is imperative that eligibility for treatment is confirmed prior to the commencement of any treatment or as soon as practicable thereafter. The card should be presented prior to or on admission to hospital. Gold card holders are eligible for public hospital treatment as veterans, but eligibility for white card holders must be established on each admission. Hospitals need to contact DVA about white card holders to establish eligibility at the time of admission or on the next business day if the patient is being admitted over a weekend.

Confirmation of eligibility can be obtained by contacting the Medical Services team at DVA during normal business hours on:

• 1300 550 456 (metro callers); or
• 1800 550 456 (country callers)

Alternatively, a completed D652B form can be faxed on (03) 9284 6440.

The following information is required by DVA to establish eligibility:

• DVA file number;
• Patient name;
• Patient date of birth;
• Hospital name, contact name, telephone/fax number;
• Date of admission; and
• Principal diagnosis.

Supplies of the D652B forms can be obtained by completing a DVA stationery order form (which can be obtained by calling the Medical Services team on the telephone numbers above) and faxing the form to Leigh-Mardon on (02) 6230 0477.

The Orange Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card

DVA patients may also hold an Orange Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits card. Orange cardholders are entitled to pharmaceuticals listed under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical benefits Scheme (RPBS) for all medical conditions. The orange card cannot be used for any other medical or health care treatment. The orange card can be used for outpatient or discharge pharmaceuticals.

 

More details regarding the DVA card system can be found on the DVA website.

DR JENNY BARTLETT
Acting Executive Director
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services