WELCOME CHANGE: Delays in medical assessments can create prolonged stress for veterans.VETERAN services and key stakeholders have welcomed new funding updates for medical assessments linked to veterans’ compensation claims, describing the changes as a significant step toward fairer and more accessible care.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recently announced updated fee schedules that will increase payments to GPs conducting compensation assessments by more than 30 per cent.
The new rates bring DVA payments in line with comparable compensation schemes and will be indexed annually from July 1, helping to ensure ongoing alignment with rising practice costs.
Legacy Ipswich President Donna Reggett said the changes were a “significant step toward fairer and more accessible care” for the veteran community.
“These reforms may not directly affect all Legacy clients, but they address long-standing challenges within the system that can have serious consequences for veterans and their families,” Ms Reggett said.
She highlighted that delays in medical assessments can create prolonged stress and financial strain for veterans.
“Anything that reduces barriers to timely assessments is a positive move,” she said.
Legacy Ipswich primarily supports the families of deceased veterans, and Ms Reggett noted unresolved claims can leave widows in vulnerable positions.
“We do see situations where a veteran lodges a compensation claim but passes away before it is finalised,” she said.
“Improving the efficiency and accessibility of medical assessments may help reduce the likelihood of that happening.”
Access to doctors willing to complete compensation-related reports remains a key challenge, particularly when veterans prefer to see their regular GP.
“Veterans understandably want to be assessed by their own doctor – someone who knows their history and who they trust,” Ms Reggett said.
“This funding is a step in the right direction, but its real impact will depend on whether GPs are willing and supported to take on this work.
“Familiarity can reduce stress and confusion and help veterans feel more confident navigating what can be a very complex compensation system.”
Ms Reggett also stressed the need to monitor reforms to ensure they deliver real outcomes.
“It’s critical that changes like this work not just on paper, but in practice – for veterans, their families, and the doctors providing these assessments,” she said.
“Ensuring advocates are properly trained, accountable, and regularly reviewed would go a long way toward improving veterans’ experiences across the system.”
RACGP President Michael Wright said the funding uplift recognises the expertise, time, and administrative effort GPs dedicate to preparing compensation-related reports.
“Veterans deserve timely, high-quality medical assessments to support their compensation claims,” Dr Wright said.
Under the revised DVA schedule, short consultations under 20 minutes now attract $49.90, around 13-14 per cent above comparable Medicare Benefits Schedule GP attendance items.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the Government wants to ensure that defence personnel, veterans and families receive the care, services and supports they need, when and where they need it.
“Doctors, and the reports they prepare for veterans, play a critical role in supporting veterans to access Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) funded healthcare and compensation,” Mr Neumann said.
“This is a substantial increase in the amounts payable for these reports since the last official fee update. This is something I advocated for when I was the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel.”
