Australian Government

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004

Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006

Veterans’ Affairs (Treatment Principles – TRCP Treatment and Updating of RAP Schedules) Amendment Instrument 2015

Instrument 2015 No.R29/MRCC29

Name

1 This instrument is the Veterans’ Affairs (Treatment Principles – TRCP Treatment and Updating of RAP Schedules) Amendment Instrument 2015.

Commencement

2 This instrument commences on the day after registration.

Authority

3 This instrument is made under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006.

Schedules

4 Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1

The Treatment Principles (Instrument 2013 No. R52) is varied in accordance with Part A.

Part A

Variations to the Treatment Principles

1 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definitions of “Board of Management”, “Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health” and “CMVH treatment”)

omit.

2 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definitions)

insert:

“TRCP treatment” means action taken by a TRCP provider with a view to maintaining an entitled person in physical or mental health and comprised of:

(a) Training members of the Defence Force in the health care disciplines that could benefit the health of entitled persons;

(b) Researching injuries, diseases and the state of health of members of the Defence Force for the purpose of using the findings to improve the health care of entitled persons;

(c) Communication-improvement on health care matters between members of the Defence Force who are staff-managers and entitled persons; and

(d) Policy development for strategies and programs relating to the health-care needs of members of the Defence Force that could benefit the health of entitled persons.

Note 1: under subsection 80(1) of the Act treatment is broadly defined and includes action taken with a view to maintaining a person in physical or mental health.

Note 2: pursuant to a determination under s.88A of the Act, TRCP treatment may be provided for any condition of a veteran, a member or former member under MRCA, not just a service-related condition.  TRCP treatment may also be provided under the same determination to a dependant of a veteran or to a dependant of a member or former member.

“TRCP provider” means a person with expertise in the areas of education and research in relation to health care who has entered into an arrangement with the Commission to provide TRCP treatment.

Note: in practice the person is likely to be the body corporate of a University.

3 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definitions)

at the end, add:

The following terms are defined in the Act:

• Defence Force (s.5C(1))
• member of the Defence Force (s.5C(1), s.5C(2))

4 Paragraphs 2.7A and 2.7A.1

substitute, respectively:

2.7A—TRCP treatment (Training, Research, Communication-improvement, Policy Development for ADF-Veterans’ etc Health Issues)

2.7A.1 The Commission may accept financial responsibility for TRCP treatment provided by a TRCP provider.

Note (1): under subsection 80(1) of the Act treatment is defined broadly and can include action taken with a view to maintaining a person in physical or mental health.

Note (2): TRCP treatment is defined in paragraph 1.4.1 and, generally speaking, is action taken by an education and research facility pursuant to an arrangement with the Commission to inquire into issues associated with the health of Defence Force members which could have a benefit for the health care of veterans and dependants of veterans, under the Act, and members and dependants of members or former members, under the MRCA.

Note (3): under s.88A(1)(d) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) a determination may be made granting eligibility for treatment under the VEA to “a person”.  A determination has been made granting eligibility for TRCP treatment under the VEA to a member or former member under MRCA and to a dependant of a member or former member. 

Note (4): prior approval for TRCP treatment is not required.

5 Schedule 1

 substitute:

The date for :

 1. Notes for Local Medical Officers (paragraph 1.4.1);

 2. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical               Services (paragraph 3.5.1);

 3. Notes for Allied Health Providers (paragraphs 3.5.1 and  7.1A.1);

 4. Optometrist Fees for Consultation (paragraph 3.5.1);

 5. DVA Schedule of Fees Orthoptists (paragraph 3.5.1);

 6. Pricing Schedule for visual aids (paragraph 3.5.1);

7. The fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as DSM-5) (paragraph 2.4.2A);

 8. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists and Dental  Specialists (paragraph 3.5.1);

 9. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dental Prosthetists  (paragraph 3.5.1);

 10. Chiropractors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 11. Diabetes Educators Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 12. Dietitians Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 13. Exercise Physiologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 14. Occupational Therapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 15. Osteopaths Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 16. Physiotherapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 17. Psychologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 18. Podiatrists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 19. Social Workers Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 20. Clinical Counsellors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 21. Speech Pathologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 22. Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs  Classification System and Schedule of Item Numbers and               Fees — Community Nursing Services (paragraph 6A.4.2(b));

 23. Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers  (Part 6A);

 24. Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National  Guidelines (paragraph 11.2A.1);

 25. RAP National Schedule of Equipment (paragraph 11.2A.1);

 26. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Services  (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Provider               Notes (paragraph 1.4.1 and 7.1A.1);

 27. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service  (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Schedule of               Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

 28. General information about VVCS – Veterans and Veterans               Families Counselling Service (paragraph 1.4.1);

 29. Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists & General  Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule               Initiative

 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mentalhealth/publishing.n              sf/Content/better-access-through-mbs-1;

 30. Gold Card (paragraph 1.4.1);

 31. White Card (paragraph 1.4.1).

is 1 May 2015.

Schedule 2

The MRCA Treatment Principles (Instrument 2013 No. MRCC53) is varied in accordance with Part A.

Part A

Variations to the MCRA Treatment Principles

1 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definitions of “Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health” and “CMVH treatment”)

omit.

2 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definitions)

insert:

“TRCP treatment” has the meaning it has in the Treatment Principles.

Note: under s.88A(1)(d) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) a determination may be made granting eligibility for treatment under the VEA to “a person”.  A determination has been made granting eligibility for TRCP treatment under the VEA to a member or former member under MRCA and to a dependant of a member or former member. 

3 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definition of “SRCA disability” – Note 2)

substitute:

Note 2: Section 280A of the Act provides eligibility for treatment of a person with an injury under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

4 Paragraph 1.4.1 (definitions)

at the end, add:

The following terms are defined in the Act:

• Defence Force (s.5(1))
• member (s.5(1))

5 Paragraphs 2.7A and 2.7A.1

substitute, respectively:

2.7A—TRCP treatment (Training, Research, Communication-improvement, Policy Development for ADF-Members’ etc Health Issues)

Note: This provision is for information only.  TRCP treatment is provided to members and former members and certain dependants under the Treatment Principles under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 pursuant to a determination under s.88A(1)(d) of that Act.
6 Schedule 1

substitute:

The date for :

1. Notes for Local Medical Officers (paragraph 1.4.1);

2. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services (paragraph 3.5.1);

3. Notes for Allied Health Providers (paragraphs 3.5.1 and 7.1A.1);

4. Optometrist Fees for Consultation (paragraph 3.5.1);

5. DVA Schedule of Fees Orthoptists (paragraph 3.5.1);

6. Pricing Schedule for visual aids (paragraph 3.5.1);

7. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists and Dental  Specialists (paragraph 3.5.1);

8. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dental Prosthetists  (paragraph 3.5.1);

9. Chiropractors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

10. Diabetes Educators Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

11. Dietitians Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

12. Exercise Physiologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

13. Occupational Therapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

14. Osteopaths Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

15. Physiotherapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

16. Psychologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

17. Podiatrists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

18. Social Workers Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

19. Clinical Counsellors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

20. Speech Pathologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

21. Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs Classification System and Schedule of Item Numbers and Fees — Community Nursing Services (paragraph 6A.4.2(b));

22. Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers (Part 6A);

23. Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National Guidelines (paragraph 11.2A.1);

24. RAP National Schedule of Equipment (paragraph 11.2A.1);

25. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Services (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Provider Notes (paragraph 1.4.1 and 7.1A.1);

26. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

27. General information about VVCS – Veterans and Veterans               Families Counselling Service (paragraph 1.4.1);

28. Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists & General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule Initiative:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mentalhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/better-access-through-mbs-1;

29. Gold Card (paragraph 1.4.1);

30. White Card (paragraph 1.4.1);

is 1 May 2015.

Schedule 3

The Treatment Principles (Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests) 2006 (Instrument 2013 No. R54) is varied in accordance with Part A.

Part A

Variation to the Treatment Principles (Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests) 2006

1. 59. Schedule 1

substitute:

59. Schedule 1

substitute:

The date for :

1. Notes for Local Medical Officers (paragraph 1.4.1);

2. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services (paragraph 3.5.1);

3. Notes for Allied Health Providers (paragraphs 3.5.1 and 7.1A.1);

4. Optometrist Fees for Consultation (paragraph 3.5.1);

5. DVA Schedule of Fees Orthoptists (paragraph 3.5.1);

6. Pricing Schedule for Visual Aids (paragraph 3.5.1);

 7. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dentists and Dental Specialists (paragraph 3.5.1);

8. Fee Schedule of Dental Services for Dental Prosthetists (paragraph 3.5.1);

 9. Chiropractors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

10. Diabetes Educators Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

11. Dietitians Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

12. Exercise Physiologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

13. Occupational Therapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

14. Osteopaths Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

15. Physiotherapists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

16. Psychologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

17. Podiatrists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

18. Social Workers Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

19. Clinical Counsellors Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

20. Speech Pathologists Schedule of Fees (paragraph 3.5.1);

21. Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs Classification System and Schedule of Item Numbers and Fees — Community Nursing Services;

22. Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National Guidelines (paragraph 11.2A.1);

23. RAP National Schedule of Equipment (paragraph 11.2A.1);

24. White Card (paragraph 1.4.1);

is 1 May 2015.