Dietetic services

What are dietetic services

Dietitians can help you improve your health with diet and lifestyle planning.

Who can receive it

 You may be able to receive dietetic services if you have an assessed clinical need and a:

• Veteran Gold Card; or
• Veteran White Card and your treatment is for an accepted service-related condition

What you can receive

If you are eligible for dietetic services your dietitian may:

• assess your health and nutritional needs
• help you make the best food choices for your wellbeing
• create a dietary plan for you to follow

From 1 October 2019, referrals to this service will be under the Allied Health Services treatment cycle. This means that a referral will last for up to 12 sessions or 1 year, whichever ends first.

These treatment cycles place you at the centre of your care and the general practitioner (GP) as your care coordinator.

There are no limits to the number of treatment cycles you can have.

You can also have:

• a separate treatment cycle for each allied health service you need; and
• treatment cycles for different allied health services at the same time

How you access

1. Get a referral to a dietitian covered by the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) from your:

• general practitioner (GP)
• medical specialist
• treating doctor in hospital
• hospital discharge planner

2. Contact your dietitian to make an appointment. Confirm they will accept your Veteran Gold Card or Veteran White Card for their services.

Things you should know

• If you're treated as a private patient or through Medicare we may not be able to pay for your treatment.
• Let your dietitian know about any similar services you've received in the last 12 months.
• If you get a bill from your dietitian please contact us before paying anything.