Last amended: 17 May 2004
The Repatriation Commission [2] may provide, arrange or accept financial responsibility for the cost of treatment of eligible veterans [2] and their dependants [2] 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 are used throughout Australia to obtain appropriate treatment. Repatriation health cards are issued where a:
There are two types of health cards:
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.
Income support pensioners are eligible for a Gold Card, subject to the treatment income/assets reduction limit [2] (IARL [2]). Blind pensioners retain Gold Card eligibility regardless of their income or assets.
More ? [4]
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.
More ? [5]
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.
More ? [6]
Treatment benefits and income and assets tests
Section 7.1.3 Gold Card Eligibility under the Income/Assets Reduction Limit [9]
Repatriation Health Card for All Conditions (Gold Card)
7.1.2/Repatriation Health Card for All Conditions (Gold Card) [11]
According to Section 179 [15]of the VEA [15], the Commission is a body corporate under the name of Repatriation Commission.
For the purposes of Part VI of the VEA [15], a reference to a veteran is taken to be a reference to:
For the purposes of Part VII of the VEA [15], according to subsection 5C(1), veteran means a person (including a deceased person):
A dependant of a veteran (including a deceased veteran) is:
The income/assets reduction limit is the maximum amount by which a veteran's rate of service pension can be reduced and qualify for the Gold Card under subsection 85(5). When a veteran receives a reduced rate of service pension, the veteran may be eligible for treatment until such time as their 'reduction-for-ordinary-income', or their 'reduction-for-assets', exceeds the IARL.
The IARL is indexed twice a year, on 20 March and 20 September.
The income/assets reduction limit is the maximum amount by which a veteran's rate of service pension can be reduced and qualify for the Gold Card under subsection 85(5). When a veteran receives a reduced rate of service pension, the veteran may be eligible for treatment until such time as their 'reduction-for-ordinary-income', or their 'reduction-for-assets', exceeds the IARL.
The IARL is indexed twice a year, on 20 March and 20 September.
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16786%23comment-form
[2] https://clik.dva.gov.au/%23
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#tgt-cspol_part7_ftn2
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#tgt-cspol_part7_ftn3
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#tgt-cspol_part7_ftn4
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#tgt-cspol_part7_ftn5
[7] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-7-common-allowances-and-benefits/71-treatment-departmental-expense/712-dva-health-cards
[8] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#ref-cspol_part7_ftn2
[9] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-7-common-allowances-and-benefits/71-treatment-departmental-expense/713-gold-card-eligibility-under-incomeassets-reduction-limit
[10] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#ref-cspol_part7_ftn3
[11] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-7-common-allowances-and-benefits/71-treatment-departmental-expense/712-dva-health-cards/dva-health-card-all-conditions-gold-card
[12] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#ref-cspol_part7_ftn4
[13] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-7-common-allowances-and-benefits/71-treatment-departmental-expense/714-repatriation-pharmaceutical-benefits-card-orange-card
[14] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16786#ref-cspol_part7_ftn5
[15] http://clik.dva.gov.au/legislation-library