Extension to Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT) for veterans

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to improve veterans’ access to health services, the Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT) program has been extended.

The PAMT program enables eligible veterans who are waiting for their claims to be considered by DVA, to receive medical and allied health treatment on a provisional basis for one or more of the 20 most commonly accepted conditions for ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

Registration to participate has been extended to 30 June 2024. Veterans who register their claim with DVA before that date can continue to receive treatment under the program until 31 December 2024.

Who is eligible for the program?

The program is open to veterans who:

• Make a liability claim for a service-related injury or disease under either:
  • Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) , or
  • Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA)
• Submit their claim by 30 June 2024.
• Have an injury or disease that relates to one or more of the 20 specified conditions.

Eligible veterans can continue to receive the provisional treatment until one of the following occurs:

• Primary determination of their claim
• An application for appeal or review is finalised
• 31 December 2024 – the end date of the program.

If and when the claim is accepted, clinically necessary treatment for the accepted condition will be funded by DVA thereafter.

How do veterans access the trial?

Veterans, upon making a claim with DVA, will receive a letter from DVA informing them of the program and a Treatment Confirmation Form, along with the following instructions about accessing provisional treatment:

Information for GPs:

• The veteran presents the Treatment Confirmation Form to their GP.
• The GP considers if the veteran’s injury or disease is related to one or more of the conditions on the form. If so, they complete the form, scan it and send a copy to DVA.
• The GP can then claim for the treatment as per usual for DVA clients.
• The GP gives the completed original of the Treatment Confirmation Form to their veteran patient for continued treatment until their DVA healthcare card is issued or updated.

Information for Allied Health providers:

• DVA will fund clinically necessary allied health treatment for a DVA client who is eligible under the Provisional Access to Medical Treatment arrangements.
• As per standard arrangements under the DVA Notes for Allied Health Providers, the client requires a GP referral to access the allied health care (with the exception of dental and optometry services).
• The allied health provider claims for their services as per usual for DVA clients.

What are the 20 specified conditions?

The 20 conditions include 16 musculoskeletal, two hearing and two skin conditions, and consist of the following:

1. Achilles Tendinopathy and Bursitis
2. Chondromalacia Patella
3. Cut, Stab, Abrasion and Laceration
4. Dislocation
5. Fracture
6. Internal Derangement of the Knee
7. Intervertebral Disc Prolapse
8. Joint Instability
9. Labral Tear
10. Lumbar Spondylosis
11. Non-melanotic Malignant Neoplasm of the Skin
12. Osteoarthritis
13. Plantar Fasciitis
14. Rotator Cuff Syndrome
15. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
16. Shin Splints
17. Solar Keratosis
18. Sprain and Strain
19. Thoracic Spondylosis
20. Tinnitus

What treatment will be covered?

Treatments under the trial will be subject to the Treatment Principles under the MRCA and the DRCA. If treatments exceed the limits of the Treatment Principles then prior approval from DVA will be required.

Further information

For more information, visit the DVA website: PAMT Program for Veterans

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