COVID-19 telehealth arrangements extended for DVA clients
Telehealth services and other temporary COVID-19 arrangements for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients have been extended until 31 December 2021.
Providers are able to continue delivering telehealth services for general practitioner (GP), allied health, specialist and community nursing services; and hospital-based mental health and rehabilitation day programs until the end of this year.
From 1 July 2021, GP telephone consultations will only be available for short consultations. Video consultations will continue to be available for longer consultations.
In addition, the Government has introduced a service fee to support general practices to administer the vaccine for frail, elderly and/or immobile people in their own homes including residential aged care and disability facilities. This fee is also available for DVA clients.
The Government will continue to work with peak medical and allied health associations around permanent post-pandemic telehealth arrangements.
More information on temporary COVID-19 health arrangements can be found on DVA’s COVID-19 information for healthcare providers page.
GP Coordinated Veterans Care payments expanded
From 1 July 2021, GPs providing care coordination for White Card holders with accepted mental health conditions will now be able to claim the Coordinated Veterans Care (CVC) payments. The expansion of the CVC Program aims to ensure long term health improvements for this cohort.
The CVC Program has already proven effective for Gold Card holders in reducing unplanned hospitalisations and improving the quality of life for participants.
In line with the Australian Government’s commitment to addressing veteran mental health and suicide prevention, this expansion will enable GPs and practice nurses to better support veterans with mental ill-health, as well as improving participants’ health literacy and self-management of their condition/s.
Eligible White Card holders with an accepted mental health condition can be enrolled in the CVC Program.
Changes to Domiciliary Medical Oxygen Therapy and Positive Airway Pressure products and services
DVA’s Rehabilitation and Appliances Program (RAP) schedule, and the Domiciliary Medical Oxygen Therapy (DMOT) and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) National Guidelines and prescription forms, have been updated due to a change in contracts for PAP and DMOT services and products.
As a result of a tender process, DVA entered the new contracts with PAP and DMOT product groups on 1 June 2021.
The changes include the introduction of a 2-year prescription period for DMOT products to ensure clients are periodically reviewed so that their clinical needs continue to be met and the most appropriate items provided. If DMOT products are required beyond the 2-year prescription period, a new prescription needs to be completed before the period expires.
Please refer to the following updated documents on the DVA website for assessing/reviewing DVA clients’ PAP and DMOT needs.
- RAP Schedule (AY00 Respiratory Home Therapy Appliances Category)
- RAP National Guidelines
- DMOT (RAP National Guidelines)
- PAP prescription form
- DMOT prescription form
For more information on the changes, please phone the DVA Health Provider Line on 1800 555 457.
If you require more information about other products and services under the Rehabilitation Appliances Program, please visit the RAP overview page.