DVA and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is offering great support to provide the best care to veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 1 April 2020, DVA expanded access to telehealth services which has been well received by all our Veterans currently being treated at Moonee Valley Health and Fitness. This enables medical, community nursing and many allied health services to continue to be provided to Australia’s veteran community, via videoconference or telephone (‘telehealth’).

With the introduction of these telehealth options we are still able to offer Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology and Dietetics to our veteran patients. You can now access our essential health services in your home, and will support self-isolation and quarantine policies to reduce the risk of exposure and the spread of COVID-19.

This expansion allows all Veteran Gold Card and Veteran White cardholders to access our health and fitness professionals via telehealth, where clinically appropriate, and at no cost.

Compared to the the services funded under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, DVA’s funding arrangements for allied health services are significantly broader, and encourages veterans to continue to use these services under their current DVA funding arrangements.

These temporary arrangements will be in place until 30 September 2020, when they will be reviewed in light of the need to continue the fight against COVID-19.

Exercise & Gym Rehab at MVFit

Other Support services and resources for veteran patients

Mental health support – Visit Open Arms: Veterans & Families Counselling Service or call 1800 011 046, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Access to prescriptions and pharmaceuticals – Vulnerable people, including eligible veterans, can order their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) prescriptions remotely, and have their medicines home-delivered, once a month, to reduce their potential exposure to COVID-19.
Shopping services for eligible veterans – Older and at-risk veterans may access shopping support provided by Veterans’ Home Care (VHC). Veterans can call the VHC Assessment Agency directly on 1300 550 450.

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We recommend that all our veteran patients and their families get the latest information about DVA’s healthcare arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic from the DVA Website – https://www.dva.gov.au/ or contact DVA on 1800 555 254.

Learn more about Exercise & Gym Rehab at MVFit