7.1.1 Overview of Treatment at Departmental Expense

Last amended: 17 May 2004

Treatment at departmental expense

The Repatriation Commission may provide, arrange or accept financial responsibility for the cost of treatment of eligible veterans and their dependants at departmental expense. The eligible person may or may not be in receipt of a pension or have suffered a war-caused injury.

Repatriation health cards

Repatriation health cards are used throughout Australia to obtain appropriate treatment. Repatriation health cards are issued where a:

• determining authority decides that an injury or disease is war-caused, or
• pension (including a service pension) is granted at, or increased to, a certain level qualifying the recipient for treatment benefits, or
• delegate approves treatment benefits that do not involve the payment of pension.

There are two types of health cards:

• Repatriation Health Card For All Conditions (Gold Card), and
• Repatriation Health Card For Specific Conditions (White Card).    
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  Repatriation Health Cards

  Section 7.1.2 Repatriation Health Cards

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Note: Gold Card holders can obtain the range of pharmaceutical items available under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) for all their medical conditions. White Card holders can obtain appropriate pharmaceuticals under the RPBS for their accepted disabilities.

Treatment benefits for income support pensioners

Income support pensioners are eligible for a Gold Card, subject to the treatment income/assets reduction limit (IARL). Blind pensioners retain Gold Card eligibility regardless of their income or assets.    

Who can obtain a Gold Card

A Gold card is issued to veterans of Australia's defence force who meet the eligibility criteria. Some veterans of Commonwealth or allied forces with qualifying service and some dependants of veterans are also eligible for a Gold Card.    

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card (Orange Card)

From 1 January 2001, an RPBC (Orange Card) entitles eligible British Commonwealth and allied veterans and mariners to pharmaceutical benefits for most conditions. The card is for pharmaceuticals in Australia only and cannot be used overseas or for any medical or other health care treatment. The range of pharmaceutical items available under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) is much wider than the range available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The card is for pharmaceuticals only and does not entitle the holder to receive any treatment benefits.