Hospital Services

DVA has arrangements in place with all state and territory governments which enables clinically required treatment to eligible clients provided by public hospital services.

These arrangements cover emergency, admitted and non-admitted services provided by public hospitals.

DVA also has contracted arrangements with nearly 550 private hospitals and Day Procedure Centres (DPC). Your treating medical specialist will check with the hospital or DPC to see if they are contracted with DVA before referring you for eligible services.

For information on treatment overseas, visit Medical care while overseas.

Who is eligible?

Veteran Gold Card holders

The Gold Card is a treatment card that provides you with clinically required treatment for all medical conditions in Australia. 

For more information visit Veteran Gold Card.

Veteran White Card holders

The White Card covers you for clinically required medical treatment in Australia for your accepted service-related injuries or conditions. 

It may also cover treatment for mental health conditions, cancer (malignant neoplasm) and pulmonary tuberculosis, if you meet the eligibility criteria for treatment for these conditions.

For more information visit Veteran White Card.

What we pay for:

DVA will pay for clinically required care in a hospital or DPC for eligible clients.

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

• public hospital;
• DVA contracted private hospital;
• DVA contracted DPC.

Under DVA’s hospital arrangements, your doctor must seek DVA’s approval before admitting you to a non-contracted private hospital or DPC.

We may not pay for:

• a program that has not been approved or is not contracted by DVA
• treatment that is not on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
• a procedure for cosmetic purposes 
• medical device or human tissue product not listed on the Prescribed List
• services funded through other DVA or Commonwealth programs, including Respite or Nursing Home Type Patient (NHTP) services in Multi-Purpose Services and Residential Aged Care Services, or Transitional Care Programs
• Daily patient contribution fees for patients classified as a nursing home type patient or maintenance patient, if in hospital for a period longer than 35 day (unless the DVA client is an ex-Prisoner of War and Victoria Cross recipient)  
• hospital services for compensable patients covered under policies such as WorkCover, Transport/Motor Accident or Compulsory Third Party Insurance
• non-clinical services such as newspapers, television or internet access

Can I choose which hospital I am admitted to?

Yes, however your choice will probably depend on whether your treating doctor has visiting rights at your preferred hospital and if the hospital has the facilities and/or specialist services 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.

Transfers between hospitals

All clinical decisions regarding your care are made by your treating specialist and medical team. 

If you have been admitted to a public hospital and wish to transfer to another hospital, this decision will be made based on clinical need by your treating specialist, and not on personal preference.

Things you should know

Veteran Liaison Officer (VLO)

DVA contracted private hospitals have a nominated staff member responsible for the duties of a VLO who will provide support to you, your family and carer during your admission to hospital. 

These duties include:

• acting as a single point of contact to resolve any concerns and problems
• providing pre-admission and discharge planning support

Similar services may be provided by the patient liaison officer, social worker or discharge planner at a public hospital.

Pharmaceuticals

You should not be charged for pharmaceuticals provided while an admitted patient. 
You may be charged a co-payment for pharmaceuticals provided on discharge or as a non-admitted patient.

Transport

DVA may provide you, and your medically required attendant, assistance with your transport when travelling for approved medical treatment.

The Hospital will assist you to organise transport home if needed.

For information about DVA transport, visit Travel for treatment

Private rooms

You may receive private room accommodation if available at a hospital. 

Hospitals will take into account the clinical needs of all patients when determining access to a private room.

DVA will pay for the hospital service if you are accommodated in a shared or private room.

Convalescent care 

Convalescent care is short-term care which is medically necessary for recovery following a stay in hospital.

Convalescent care is not intended to be used for transition while waiting for admission to a Residential Aged Care Facility for permanent care, Rehabilitation Services, Transitional Care Program or Respite Care.

Convalescent care should be provided in an approved residential care facility and only provided in hospital when a suitable residential care facility is not available. 

Find more information about Convalescent care services.

Respite 

You may be eligible for residential respite if you intend to return to your home in the community, and either:   

• your carer needs a break from their caring duties
• you need a break from caring for yourself.

Residential respite provides short-term care, usually in an Australian Government-funded aged care facility. Respite Care cannot directly follow your admission to hospital where you have not been discharged home.

For further information about DVA funded Respite Care.

Transitional Care Program (TCP)

Transitional Care Program is a joint Commonwealth and State/Territory Government funded program. Transition care helps you recover after a hospital stay. It provides short-term specialised care and support to help you regain your functional independence and confidence sooner, and avoid the need for longer term care and support services. TCP requires a daily care fee contribution from people who are able to pay. 

If the entitled person is a former prisoner of war or an entitled veteran awarded the Victoria Cross, DVA will pay the daily care fee contribution for the TCP.

For information on TCP, visit the My Aged Care website.

Nursing Home Type Patient (NHTP)

Hospitals are required to charge a daily patient contribution fee in defined circumstances under the Health Insurance Act 1973, administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Those circumstances are where a patient:

• is classified as a nursing home type patient, 
• has been in hospital for a period of more than 35 days, and
• is no longer receiving active clinically necessary hospital level care.

Hospitals are encouraged to ensure a signed declaration is obtained from you or your representative, agreeing to and acknowledging their understanding and responsibility for the payment of the daily patient contribution fee. The consent form is usually provided to you on admission during your intake process.

Payment of the daily patient contribution fee is the personal responsibility of all patients, including TPI veterans and War Widows. DVA will pay the daily patient contribution fee for ex-Prisoners of War and Victoria Cross recipients.  

The daily patient contribution fee is not charged if you are receiving clinically necessary hospital care, including rehabilitation or palliative care.