As you may be aware, the Government has announced that from 1 January 2022 the Rural Bulk Billing Incentive under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) will increase for doctors working in remote areas and rural towns based on the Modified Monash Model (MMM). This change will also apply to the Veterans’ Access Payments (VAP) for services provided to DVA clients. 

The MBS VAP Incentive items are unable to be claimed in conjunction with telehealth services provided to DVA clients. From 1 January 2022, DVA is introducing additional item numbers to allow general practitioners to claim the VAP which are detailed in the table above.

From 1 January 2022, GPs will need to claim the VAP using the DVA item in conjunction with any telehealth services provided to their DVA patients. If a practice utilises third party software which allows them to automatically claim the VAP incentive with eligible items, they should contact their software vendor to determine the best way to claim under these arrangements.

Details about the new DVA items will be published on the DVA website and included in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services as soon as possible. If you have further questions about this change, please contact Health Approvals on HEALTH.APPROVAL@dva.gov.au or 1800 550 457 (option 3 then option 1).