6.3 Activity that cannot be funded under psychosocial rehabilitation

Activities or services that do not support the achievement of a client’s psychosocial rehabilitation goals, cannot be funded through psychosocial rehabilitation provisions. See section 6.2 of this library for information about the intent of psychosocial rehabilitation.

In addition, clinical treatment cannot be funded as an activity under a rehabilitation program. Any clinical treatment funded for by DVA must occur under DVA health card arrangements. 

Activities such as massage and acupuncture cannot be funded under a psychosocial rehabilitation program. Such activities do not meet the intent of psychosocial rehabilitation in that the client is not actively engaged or acquiring the skills to sustainably self-manage the barriers to their rehabilitation. In contrast, activities such as yoga and meditation may be funded where the activity is consistent with the intent of psychosocial rehabilitation, and the activity is a reasonable option for meeting a psychosocial rehabilitation goal (see Section 6.6). This is because these activities can provide the client with skills to self-manage their response to their rehabilitation barriers. 

Where unmet clinical treatment needs exist, the rehabilitation provider should work with the DVA Rehabilitation coordinator and client to identify suitable treatment options, either within the department or through the community. This includes education around how the DVA health care card system works.

Where a client has a diagnosed mental health condition and is receiving treatment through the Non Liability Health Care Arrangements, then it is recommended that the provider note DVA’s acknowledgement of this condition when recommending psychosocial rehabilitation activities. This can be done under criteria 10 of the psychosocial rehabilitation decision making framework. If the condition is creating major and ongoing barriers to the client being able to progress their rehabilitation, then it is recommended that the client lodge a claim for acceptance of liability for that condition.