DVA Hospital and Day Procedure Guidelines and Contacts

All of us at some time need the care of medical and allied professionals, and when the need arises the emergency ambulance services.
We are most fortunate in Australia to have a world class medical service available to all, irrespective of the type of health cover, whether it be private or public cover, or in possession of a DVA Card that provides health cover.

The purpose of the following is to provide an overview of DVA guidelines as it relates to health cover for card holders.
However, it remains the responsibility of all to be fully aware of your entitlements. This can be obtained from those within the Sub-Branch, RSLWA or DVA. Contacts are provided on our website and in this article.

Advocacy

Welfare

The DVA Website under Menu Heading Get Support has a broad range of information to support veterans.
Get Support | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au) Included is a range of information relating to Hospitals.

If you do not have access to this information on a computer, ask a mate or family member to assist, or contact support from within our Sub-Branch, RSLWA or DVA.

Emergency Admissions

In an emergency, Gold Card (and some White Cardholders with accepted endorsements) can be admitted to either:

the nearest public hospital where they can be treated as a private patient.
the nearest private hospital with an emergency department
Doctors with admitting rights can admit the patient to a contracted private hospital for treatment.

It is important to realise that the hospital to which a patient is admitted will depend on hospitals’ capacity at the time of the emergency, the severity, and the identified need for specialist medical intervention.

Wait time for an ambulance also depends on the assessed medical needs and priority of the patient.

Public Hospitals

DVA has arrangements with all state and territory governments to provide care in public hospitals.

Am I Eligible

If you hold a Veteran Gold Card, a Veteran White Card or a written authorisation for treatment you are eligible to receive hospital services under DVA’s arrangements.

DVA will pay for all hospital services that meet the clinical needs of Veteran Gold Card holders.

DVA will pay Veteran White Card holders hospital treatment costs required for:

an accepted war or service caused injury or disease;
malignant cancer (neoplasia);
pulmonary tuberculosis; and
any mental health condition.

If you are a Commonwealth or allied veteran, please see Commonwealth and other allied veterans for eligibility and treatment information.

What hospitals can I be admitted to under DVA arrangements?

You do not require DVA’s approval to be admitted to a:

public hospital;
DVA contracted private hospital;
DVA contracted private hospital for mental health services; or
DVA contracted day procedure centre.

Under DVA’s hospital arrangements, your doctor must seek DVA’s approval before admitting you to a:

non-contracted private hospital;
non-contracted private hospital for mental health services; or
non-contracted day procedure centre.

Before you are admitted, be sure to confirm with your doctor that DVA has approved your treatment in a non-contracted facility. Without approval, DVA may not cover the costs.

You can be admitted to a non-contracted hospital in an emergency. Your doctor should seek approval from DVA as soon as possible after the admission.

A list of DVA contracted private hospitals, mental health hospitals and day procedure centres is available on the DVA website at: Hospitals and day procedure centres.

Can I choose which hospital I am admitted to?

Yes, however your choice will probably depend on if your treating doctor has visiting rights at your preferred hospital and if the hospital has the facilities necessary for your treatment.

If you choose to be admitted to a non-contracted private hospital your treating Doctor should contact DVA to seek approval before admission.

Do I need to pay for treatment during my hospital admission?

No, you will not have to pay for your treatment if you are being treated in a public or DVA contracted hospital. However, you will need to confirm with your hospital if non-medical items like phones, TV’s and newspapers are at your expense.

If you are billed for your treatment, return the account advising you are a DVA patient. Do not send the bill to Services Australia or your private health fund.

Can I have a private room at DVA’s expense?

Yes, if you are provided with a private room DVA will cover the cost.

Can I choose to be treated as a private patient at a private hospital using my private health insurance?

Yes, but if you choose this option it is at your own expense and DVA will be unable to reimburse any out of pocket expenses that may occur. This may include costs for any intensive care and rehabilitation services that may arise. These costs could be substantial so you should discuss it with your doctor before making this decision. If you choose to be treated as a private patient instead of a DVA patient, make sure you tell the hospital before you are admitted.

What should I have arranged for my hospital treatment?

Before being admitted to hospital, you need to:
use the “Personal Services and Contact List” pages attached to this page to detail important information like your medical and medication history, your doctor’s details and details of your next of kin and/or family;
pack your DVA Veteran Card:
arrange transport (through DVA, if required); and
confirm that your care coordinator and General Practitioner (GP) know you are being admitted (if you are a Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program participant).

When being admitted to hospital, you need to:

show admission staff your DVA Veteran Card so they can confirm your eligibility;
provide the hospital with your “Personal Services and Contact List”;
ask if a Patient Liaison Officer, Veteran Liaison Officer or Discharge Planner is available for assistance;
ask how many days you will be in hospital;
inform the hospital of your living arrangements, like if you live alone, live with a carer who is frail, if you have dependants or pets or use aids at home;
ask your home services provider to postpone services that will not be required until you are discharged (this may include any personal care being delivered to you at home);
ask the admission staff at the hospital to inform your GP that you are in hospital; and
advise admission staff if you are a CVC Program participant.

Before you are discharged from hospital, you need to:

confirm with the hospital the discharge date suits you and your carer;
have the treatment you received explained to you (arrange for your carer or a family member to be present if necessary) and ask for a list of all your medications;
arrange transport home (through DVA, if required);
make sure that all the necessary nursing services, aids, home modifications (these can take several weeks) and home assistance is arranged for when you return home ;
ask for review appointments to be booked with your GP and specialists for after you get home;
ask for details of a person from the hospital that you can contact if you have any concerns; and
if you are a CVC Program participant, confirm that your GP and CVC care coordinator have been advised you are being discharged.

When you are getting discharged, you need to:

ask for a copy of your discharge summary, including follow-up appointments and referrals to community services. The discharge summary will be provided to your GP;
collect your medication and scripts and make sure you have enough until your next appointment with your GP; and
ask for information about what you’re able to do during recovery (get information sheets if possible).

Who do I contact if I have a complaint about my treatment in hospital?

You should contact the hospital’s nominated Patient Liaison Officer or Veteran Liaison Officer if you were in a private hospital, and you have a complaint. Most complaints can be resolved by the hospital’s liaison officer. If the liaison officer cannot resolve the matter, refer your complaint to the State/Territory agency responsible for investigating complaints. Please also inform DVA in writing of any such problems.