DVA news: updates for GPs

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Provider News has published an article, ‘Prior approval for treatment of alcohol and other substance use disorders’. The article informs providers that there are numerous treatment options available for eligible veterans requiring treatment for alcohol and/or other substance disorders and the majority of these do not require prior approval. However, if treatment is provided by a hospital or provider that does not have a contractual arrangement with DVA, then prior approval is required.

Another article relevant to GPs is ‘Minimally invasive cardiac procedure now available to eligible DVA Gold Card holders’, advising that changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule that came into effect on 1 November 2017 mean that minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is now available for eligible DVA Gold Card holders if assessed as clinically necessary.