DCI 15 Amdt 1 -

DEFENCE COMPENSATION INSTRUCTION - NO. 15 Amendment No 1

Military Compensation Scheme

Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

TRANSFERRING COMPENSATION CLAIMS BETWEEN MILITARY COMPENSATION AND REHABILITATION OFFICES

Purpose

1.The purpose of this Defence Compensation Instruction is to amend the original DCI 15 to reflect changed practices following the introduction of the Defcare system.

Cancellation of Defence Compensation Instruction

2.The original DCI 15 dealing with the transfer of claims is to be replaced by this amendment.

Policy

3.From time to time MCRS claims will need to be transferred from one MCRS site to another. Claims are to be transferred in a timely fashion with all outstanding work finalised prior to transfer. In particular the originating office is to continue to action the claim until a primary determination has been made.

4.For practical reasons there will be exceptions to this rule including:

• Where the claim has been addressed to and received by the wrong office eg. a claim lodged in Canberra for a client living in Sydney;
• Where the client has moved to another state and referral to a medical referee or specialist is required to finalise the determination action.

5.Where a primary determination has been made the claim may be transferred to the receiving office to manage future and ongoing liability issues eg. medical expenses, permanent impairment, incapacity and rehabilitation issues.

6.Where a primary determination has been made, the client has moved to another state and requested reconsideration, the file is to be transferred to the office in the state the client now resides for reconsideration.

7.There is no requirement to transfer the claim where the primary determination has been made and no further action is anticipated.

8.The client is to be advised that the claim will be fully investigated and a primary determination made prior to the claim being transferred. The client is to be kept informed of the action taken on the claim and advised in writing when the claim is transferred.

9.When transferring the claim the following action is to be taken:

• Using the 'standard letter' transfer package, an example of which is attached as annex A, both the client and the receiving MCRS site are to be advised of the transfer. Copies of the transfer letters should be attached to the claim file. Any outstanding actions or issues the receiving site needs to be aware of should be noted under the relevant headings in the covering minute;
• The Defcare record should be brought up to date with all decisions recorded, and payable accounts paid;
• The claim should be transferred on Defcare (see earlier advice on Defcare transfers). The receiving site will have instant access to the Defcare record;
• The file should be sent via registered mail; and
• E-mail should be sent to the relevant team leader advising of the transfer with the covering minute as an attachment.

10.On receipt of the transferred claim the receiving MCRS site is to undertake the following action:

• Raise a new file (if required by local registry practices);
• Acknowledge receipt of the claim via return e-mail;
• Using the 'standard letter' (Annex C) acknowledge receipt of the file to the client;
• Complete the system generation task; and
• Undertake any action required to finalise the claim.

11.Once archived MCRS files become the property of Australian Archives, who have advised that owing to their administrative requirements, it is not efficient to withdraw files from one Australian Archives repository and place into another. Should a MCRS site require information from a file held by Australian Archives in another region the following action is to be taken:

• Obtain the required record by completing the Request For Archived File proforma attached as Annex B; and
• Once finished with the record return to the original Australian Archive repository.

12.Any enquiries concerning this DCI should be directed to Mr Bill McCaskill on (02) 6266 8631.

(Signed)

DIANNE CLARKE

DGPSIM

20 February 1999

Annexes:

MCRS 'Standard Letter'

1. Request for Archived File

C.Acknowledge transferred file letter

ANNEX A TO

DCI NO 15 Amdt 1

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

Telephone:(02) 6266 8639 Military Compensation and

Toll Free:1800 624 761   Rehabilitation Service

NCC-B7

Department of Defence

File Reference: CANBERRA  ACT  2600

Thursday, 18 February 1999

SAFETY, REHABILITATION & COMPENSATION ACT 1988 (SRCA)

We have been advised that you are no longer living in . Your claim for compensation for a condition has therefore been sent to the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service, Department of Defence in the area where you are now living.

The address for the office in your state is:

If there is anything you would like to discuss, please phone the office in your state.

Yours sincerely

Delegate SRCA