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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-10-15 Daily Xml
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Veterans, Gold Card Holders

1383 The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (24 September 2019). Are you aware of the many incidences which occur whereby South Australian veteran DVA Gold Card holders are not treated by medical professionals because of the low fees received for their treatment, and are you also aware that many DVA Gold Card holders are charged a pseudo gap payment by medical professionals for services not included in the medical benefits schedule?

1. What action has the state government undertaken to tackle this issue faced by South Australian DVA Gold Card holders, through COAG and other forums, so that they can receive the medical treatments they need, without recourse to additional charges?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised:

SA Health is aware of anecdotal accounts that DVA Gold Care Holders have been charged gap payments for services. This was raised at the 26 August 2019 Veteran's Health Advisory Council (VHAC) meeting, which a representative of SA Health attended.

VHAC members were informed that Mr Rob Manton, Director, Veterans SA had raised the issue of gap payments at a Department of Veterans' Affairs commonwealth, state and territories meeting on 31 July 2019. Mr Manton advised that DVA is willing to investigate examples of inappropriate billing but specific detail will need to be provided.

DVA confirmed that all eligible clients are entitled to attend a registered health care provider for treatment. Under Medicare or private health insurance arrangements health providers are able to, and often do, charge co-payments to patients. Under DVA arrangements, health providers are not permitted to charge co-payments to DVA clients as they receive a higher rebate than under the Medicare schedule.

It is at the provider's discretion if they choose to accept DVA clients and in doing so they must comply fully with the DVA treatment principles, which details that no co-payment is to be charged.

DVA is aware that there are cases where out of pocket fees are charged to DVA clients. In these circumstances, clients are offered a reimbursement assessment. When DVA does reimburse a client, a compliance education letter is sent to the provider and an education letter to the client, with both letters outlining that DVA card arrangements and treatment principles must be followed.

If a DVA client is experiencing difficulty in locating a health care provider who will accept DVA health cards, DVA can assist to identify alternative arrangements. This could include providing transport to alternative health providers or, where there is a specific clinical need, funding services above the DVA scheduled rate.

Veterans SA is available to forward specific examples of potential inappropriate billing to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for investigation.

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