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The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has announced major changes to veterans’ healthcare, with health practitioners now obliged to disclose services or products they have a commercial interest in.
The changes made to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) provider notes and announced on 20 August are reportedly designed to assist veterans and veteran families in receiving healthcare that is of the highest standards.
The changes are related to health provider responsibilities in how they should conduct activities and make decisions when treating DVA clients.
“We’ve made this update following growing concerns that some health practitioners are making unnecessary referrals or recommendations to ‘specific’ providers for financial gain, as well as reports of advocates being offered ’spotter fees’ to refer veterans to specific medical providers,” the DVA said.
“We want veterans to be aware of these risks and feel empowered to ask questions. If you are ever unsure about why a particular referral is being made or suspect something doesn’t seem right, you have the right to speak up.
“These practices are not in the best interests of the veteran community. Undisclosed relationships between providers puts profits ahead of the wellbeing of veterans. This undermines trust in the system and compromises clinical independence.
“We recognise that most providers are doing the right thing. We thank them for supporting veterans with integrity and professionalism.”
The DVA also confirmed it is taking direct action to stamp out “referrals for financial gain” through deregistration, referral to relevant regulatory or professional bodies, debt recovery and criminal prosecution.
Veterans with concerns about provider conduct in relation to DVA services are encouraged to make a confidential report to
All providers are encouraged to review the updated notes. General practitioners and allied health providers who provide and claim for treatments to DVA clients have an obligation to understand and comply with DVA provider notes.
