The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the veteran community is provided with the best possible services and supports.
With increasing costs of living and rising costs for business, the veteran community has told us they are finding it harder to find GPs who will treat them without out of pocket costs.
That changes today.
From today it will be easier to access a GP for more than 276,000 Australian veterans.
In line with the tripling of the bill billing incentive, the Albanese Government is investing $33.3 million to triple the Veteran Access Payment (VAP) for certain GP services.
The VAP is an incentive payment GP’s receive, in addition to the Medicare rebate, when treating veterans who hold a DVA Gold or White Card.
The tripling of this payment will help to ensure GPs continue to service veterans with no out of pocket costs.
These changes will see payment for a GP consultation of up to 20 minutes (Level B) increase by more than $16 in metropolitan areas and more than $31 in the most remote areas of Australia.
Payments apply to general face-to-face and telehealth GP consultations, including home visits for people who are homebound, and consultations in residential aged-care facilities.
In an effort to further reduce the burden on medical practitioners, a review is currently underway to simplify and consolidate the Department of Veterans’ Affairs forms that medical professionals are required to complete.
The first package of the 19 most frequently used forms has been consolidated down to 7, while a process is underway to significantly reduce the remaining 54 forms by mid-2024.
Who will benefit?
This measure will incentivise GPs to treat the more than 276,000 veterans and eligible dependents who hold Veteran White or Gold Cards.
| From 1 November 2023, GPs who treat Veteran Card holders will receive increased VAP fees: Modified Monash category | VAP as at 1 July 2023 | VAP as at 1 November 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – metropolitan areas | $8.05 | $24.25 |
| 2 – regional centres | $12.20 | $36.90 |
| 3-4 large and medium rural towns | $12.95 | $39.20 |
| 5 – small rural towns | $13.80 | $41.65 |
| 6 – remote communities | $14.55 | $43.95 |
| 7 – very remote communities | $15.45 | $46.65 |
Notes: Indexation of 0.5 percent applied on 1 November ahead of VAP increase.
