Updated Dept. Veterans' Affairs fee schedule for dental services
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has advised that Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists and Dental Specialists been updated.
The update took effect on 1 July 2022. (DVA fees are now reviewed and updated in line with the financial year.)
The schedule is for dental services provided to Australian Defence Force veterans who are eligible to receive free or subsidised treatment from any dentist and dental specialist registered to provide services through the Medicare Benefits Scheme.
It is divided into three Schedule areas:
Schedule A
- Prior financial authorisation is not required for Gold Card holders (except where specified).
- Prior financial authorisation is not required for White Card holders (except where specified) provided the treatment relates to the White Card holder’s accepted condition(s).
- Prior financial authorisation is required for items marked with an asterisk (*) if treatment is provided above the quantity and/or time limits listed in Schedule A.
- No Annual Monetary Limit (AML) applies.
Schedule B
- Prior financial authorisation required for all Gold and White Card holders.
- No AML applies.
Schedule C
- Prior financial authorisation is generally not required (see exceptions below).
- Prior financial authorisation is generally not required for White Card holders (see exceptions below) provided the treatment is related to the White Card holder’s accepted condition(s).
- Gold and White Card holders are not entitled to receive unlimited gold crowns.
- An AML applies for all items listed as Schedule C items. This limit is not cumulative and cannot be used in subsequent years.
- DVA will pay up to a total of $2667.05 for each calendar year from 2022 for all services provided from Schedule C.
- DVA Dental Advisers have no discretion in the application of the Schedule C AML.
(For more information on this program, please go to Department of Veterans' Affairs at ada.org.au)
The DVA is reminding dentists and allied dental professionals that they are placing an increased emphasis on compliance and that “treatment must be based on assessed clinical need” with a reminder that "it is important dental providers continue to document the clinical reasons for treatment provision to DVA entitled persons."
For more information on DVA services, visit Notes for allied health providers