DVA Changes To Allied Health Referrals
By Greg Jones
19/09/2019
New Treatment Cycles
From October 1st 2019, referrals for allied health services are changing for DVA clients. Referrals will be valid for up to 12 sessions per year or one year, whichever ends first. This new 'treatment cycle' aims to improve the quality of care for DVA clients.
DVA clients can have as many treatment cycles as their GP considers to be clinically necessary. Clients can also have treatment cycles for different allied health treatment types at the same time.
The treatment cycle does not apply to exercise physiology and physiotherapy services for veterans with a Totally and Permanent Incapacitated (TPI) Gold Card from DVA. You can continue service provisions as usual. The treatment cycle applies to all other DVA clients.
What do I need to do from 1st October 2019?
From 1st October 2019, referrals for DVA clients to allied health services will be valid for up to 12 sessions per year or one year, whichever ends first. Therefore, to receive DVA subsidised treatment at Physical Edge Healthcare you will need to have an up to date referral from your GP. This means after 12 appointments or at the end of each year, you will need to visit your GP for a new referral. You will not be able to have subsidised treatment without a valid referral.
Under the treatment cycle, when you receive a referral from the GP, your physiotherapist will need to prepare the treatment plan, including goals with you. At the end of the treatment cycle, the physiotherapist will send a progress report to your GP regarding your progress. The progress report is an important aspect of the treatment cycle and is designed to support good communication between allied health providers and GPs.
The GP will use the report to review your progress and assess if further allied health treatment is clinically required, and whether other treatment options are necessary. It is important that the report is sent to your GP as they are your care coordinator.
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