Orthotic services

What are orthotic services

Orthotic services can help you access external devices called orthoses to:

• support or align the body
• reduce pain
• enhance mobility and function

Examples of common orthoses include:

• Foot Orthoses: for various foot, leg or postural problems
• Ankle Orthoses and Knee Orthoses: for joint protection, pain reduction or support after surgery
• Ankle-Foot Orthoses and Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses: to improve mobility, support rehabilitation and biomechanical goals
• Upper limb Orthoses: to provide positional and functional support to the upper limb
• Spinal Orthoses: to correct or control spinal deformities and injuries and to provide immobilisation or support to spinal injuries

Orthotists can also support by providing education on orthotic needs.

Who can receive it

You may receive orthotic services if you have an assessed clinical need and a:

• Veteran Gold Card for all conditions; or
• Veteran White Card and you need this service for an accepted service-related injury or condition

What you can receive

Orthotists may provide ready-made, customised or custom-made orthoses. Your orthotist will conduct an assessment and if suitable prescribe orthoses to meet your clinical need.

Your orthotist may fit a prefabricated or arrange for a customised or custom-made orthoses. If you need custom-made orthoses, you may need extra appointments to measure and fit them to your needs.

Your orthotist can also review, refit or arrange repairs of your orthoses as required.

How you access

You can get a referral for orthotic services from a:

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

Once the orthotist has received your referral, they will:

• confirm you are eligible for services before you start with your assessment or treatment
• assess your clinical needs
• discuss a treatment plan with you; and
• provide you with orthoses to meet your clinical need; or
• make further appointments to fit custom-made orthoses

Things you should know

• Your orthotist will send us a bill and we will pay for the services provided.
• Your orthotist must be a registered DVA orthotist provider to deliver most services including the supply of orthoses. If your treating doctor is not sure, they can contact the DVA health provider enquiries number.
• You can choose to be treated as a Medicare or private patient. However, if you take one of these options, DVA will not pay for any services that have been paid in part or full by Medicare, private health insurance or a third party compensation benefit.
• Let your orthotist know if you've had other orthotic treatment in the past 12 months.
• You can speak to your general practitioner (GP) about other services we could provide that may help you.