Allied health referral changes deferred to 1 October 2019

The treatment cycle changes to allied health referrals will now be introduced on 1 October 2019

This means that between 1 July 2019 and 30 September 2019 there are no changes to existing referral arrangements for DVA clients, including those clients who have a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Gold Card.

Allied health providers should continue to provide DVA clients with clinically necessary treatment under existing referrals.

The Government has recognised that DVA clients, allied health providers, and general practitioners need more support and more detailed information before the treatment cycle commences. Moving the start date to 1 October 2019 gives DVA more time to work closely with key stakeholders to address issues that have been identified through recent feedback. DVA will also be able to release detailed guidance on the treatment cycle arrangements before they take effect.

DVA will continue to consult with provider associations to ensure health providers have clear guidance on the treatment cycle before it starts on 1 October 2019.

Referral arrangements for TPI DVA clients

During the recent Federal election, the Government announced the treatment cycle will not apply to physiotherapy or exercise physiology services for DVA clients who have a TPI Gold Card.

When the treatment cycle commences on 1 October 2019, current referral arrangements will continue to apply for TPI clients for exercise physiology or physiotherapy services where these services are clinically necessary. The treatment cycle will apply for TPI clients for referrals to other allied health services.

More information

See the Allied health treatment cycle page for further information about the treatment cycle.