Frequently Asked Questions for GPs about the Veterans’ Health Check

Last updated:

16 November 2021

What is the Veterans’ Health Check?

The Veterans’ Health Check is an opportunity for veterans to gain access to a comprehensive physical and mental health assessment and establish a relationship with a civilian General Practitioner (GP).
It is an opportunity for GPs to build an understanding of a veteran patient’s health and wellbeing and identify and address any health conditions common in the years following transition out of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The aim is to encourage early intervention to promote better health outcomes for veterans during their transition to civilian life.
DVA recommends that a 45 minute appointment is booked to conduct a Veterans’ Health Check.
Depending on eligibility, there are two ways the Veterans’ Health Check is funded by DVA:
- One-off Veterans’ Health Check (DVA Veteran Card (fully-funded) or Medicare)
- Annual Veterans’ Health Check (DVA Veteran card (fully-funded).
Veteran patients may request you use the Veteran Health Assessment tool available online, search ‘Veterans Health Check’. This is tool is available as a wizard on MedicalDirector and Best Practice software.
The One-off Veterans’ Health Check was formerly known as the ADF Post-Discharge GP Health Assessment. The Annual Veterans’ Health Check is a new initiative from 1 July 2019.

Your patient can gain access to an Annual Veterans’ Health Check every year for the first five years following transition, if they have transitioned from the ADF (either the permanent or reserve forces) from 1 July 2019 and served at least 1 days’ continuous full-time service. Your patient may have also received correspondence from DVA to inform them of their eligibility.
All those who transitioned from the ADF with at least one days’ continuous full time service, can gain access to a One-off Veterans’ Health Check at any time. This eligibility is universal, and does not depend on the date on which they transitioned from the ADF.
If your patient transitioned from the ADF permanent forces from 1 July 2019 but they continue to serve as a Reservist, they are eligible to receive the Annual Veterans’ Health Check.

DVA and MBS item numbers to bill and claim for under the Veterans' Health Check scheme.
Annual Veterans’ Health Check (DVA item numbers)	One-off Veterans’ Health Check (formerly the ADF Post-discharge GP Health Assessment) (MBS item numbers)
MT701 — brief health assessment, lasting no more than 30 minutes	701 — brief health assessment, lasting no more than 30 minutes
MT703 — standard health assessment, lasting no more than 45 minutes	703 — standard health assessment, lasting no more than 45 minutes
MT705 — long health assessment , lasting no more than 60 minutes	705 — long health assessment , lasting no more than 60 minutes
MT707 — prolonged health assessment, lasting more than 60 minutes	707 — prolonged health assessment, lasting more than 60 minutes

Services Australia (Medicare) processes claims for health providers on behalf of DVA. You can claim using a payment method that suits you.

Claiming with DVA: Provider claims

A gap payment cannot be charged for services provided for your patient if they are using their DVA Veteran Card. Only one item number can be used for a single Veterans’ Health Check consultation.
Gap payments may be charged for One-off Veterans' Health Check if your client uses their Medicare card. DVA encourages providers to ask their patient if they have a DVA Veteran card or bulk bill these consultations where possible.

The Veterans’ Health Check must be completed by a qualified General Practitioner, however other suitably qualified health professionals (for example a practice nurse) may assist.

DVA has developed a comprehensive Veterans’ Health Check tool. It is accessible as a wizard (or form) through the clinical practice software MedicalDirector and Best Practice. The form can also be downloaded online from the Veterans’ Health Check Providers page
In Best Practice and MedicalDirector, the assessment tool is currently referred to as the ADF Post-discharge Health Assessment. Please search for this in your practice software. You can use this same resource for both the One-off and Annual Veterans’ Health Check.
The Veterans’ Health Check assessment tool and supporting resources may also be useful for when you provide other consultations or check-ups for patients who have served in the ADF.

Veteran patients have had unique experiences and are at increased risk of developing physical and mental health conditions during and after transition to civilian life.
DVA has many different resources available for providers (webinars and online training).
Further information on professional development and available resources can be found on the Veterans' Health Check Providers page

Find out more about Veterans’ Health Check by searching online for ‘Veterans Health Check’ or visiting the Veterans’ Health Check page
If you have further questions about the Veterans’ Health Check, email generalenquiries [at] dva.gov.au (generalenquiries[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au)