Essential guide to DVA billing
Navigating the world of Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) billing can seem daunting. This concise guide provides general practitioners (GPs) with essential information on claiming for key DVA services, incentive payments, and compensation claim paperwork, ensuring accurate and efficient processing of your claims.
DVA claiming for clinical services
DVA’s Quick Guide for GPs: DVA Claiming Guide
This DVA guide provides general practices the basics when claiming for key DVA services. It reminds you of the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) item numbers for different DVA programs and the associated tools and supports available for those programs.
Indexation usually occurs annually on 01 July. This is consistent with indexation arrangements for the MBS. Indexation arrangements may change subject to government policy).
For more information visit: DVA medical services schedule
DVA will pay for a veteran’s treatment for some conditions without accepting these conditions as service related (no claim required). DVA may cover:
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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
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a client's treatment costs when diagnosed with cancer (malignant neoplasm) or pulmonary tuberculosis – there are service-related eligibility criteria.
Incentive payments
There are a number of incentive payments for General Practitioners working with DVA clients. Below is a summary, for more detailed information, visit: Incentive payments for General Practitioners | Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Practices who have DVA clients registered with MyMedicare, will have access to:
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Longer DVA and MBS-funded telephone calls (Levels C and D) for their registered patients (from 1 November 2023); and
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A tripled Veterans' Access Payment incentive for longer DVA funded telehealth consultations (Levels C, D and E) providing greater incentive for GPs to treat veterans (from 1 November 2023).
The VAP incentive items are equivalent to the Medicare Bulk Billing Incentive and can be co-claimed with general practice items provided under DVA arrangements.
GPs can claim higher VAP incentives for:
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All face-to-face general attendance consultations;
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MBS Level B video and telephone general attendance consultations; and
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Video and telephone consultations when your practice and patients are registered to MyMedicare.
VAP incentives for GP services, Diagnostic imaging services, and Pathology services are listed here: Incentive payments for General Practitioners | Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The WIP provides incentives to general practices who employ nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners, and allied health professionals.
Each year practices receive an annual per client payment based on the number of 'in room' consultations they provide. This only applies to clients who have a Veteran Gold Card. There are no limits on the amount per practice.
The REI loading is available to GPs who provide services to veterans in designated rural public hospitals by State or Territory Governments. The REI only applies to those In Hospital items indicated in the General Practitioner Fee schedule.
DVA Compensation Claim Paperwork Billing
The following resources provides essential information for healthcare providers on accurately billing DVA for compensation claims related to both mental and general health conditions.
This guide provides you with the information you need when invoicing DVA for compensation claims to ensure you get paid quickly and correctly.
These resources offer quick tips for navigating mental health claims, including information on military compensation, completing necessary forms, and assessing impairment and incapacity.
These resources offer guidance on navigating general (non-mental health) compensation claims, including information on military compensation, completing necessary forms, and assessing impairment and incapacity.
To improve your understanding of how to support veteran patient compensation claims, enrol in our upcoming webinar: Supporting Veterans’ compensation claims and GP billing
VETs HeLP is an initiative funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Catherine is a GP in Geelong, Victoria. She has been involved in a wide variety of Medical Education opportunities, these include GP training, lecturing in Medicine at Deakin University, and providing clinical consultancy for the Deakin Indigenous Health team. Over recent years Catherine has moved into planning and facilitating the professional development of Medical Educators and GP Supervisors as well as learning (like everyone else) to do all of this online. Catherine strives to ensure her education events are engaging and innovative, with a dose of appropriate fun.
Dr Catherine Eltringham
As a GP, you can play a crucial role in helping veterans navigate the complexities of compensation claims. This process can be particularly challenging for those dealing with significant impairment or mental health conditions and is often exacerbated by the transition to civilian life. By understanding the steps involved and the required documentation, you can positively assist your patients' access to essential support and wellbeing.
Dr Catherine Eltringham
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