1.4 Interpretation
1.4.1 In these Principles, unless a contrary intention appears:
“aboriginal health worker” means a person who is qualified as an aboriginal health worker after undertaking a course in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, provided by an institution recognised by the Department of Health and Ageing as suitable for providing a course of that nature, and who obtained a Certificate Level III (or higher) under the course.
“Aboriginal Health Worker Care Co-ordination treatment” means treatment provided by an aboriginal health worker to an entitled person under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program, comprised of:
(a) implementing the GPMP for the person under the Program — in particular co-ordinating treatment services under the GPMP;
(b) liaising, in relation to the GPMP, with the LMO who manages the GPMP for the person;
(c) performing such other functions under the program that the aboriginal health worker has under the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers.
“ACPMH treatment” means action taken with a view to maintaining an entitled veteran in mental health and includes:
(a) training members of the Defence Force or staff made available under section 196 of the Act, or both, in the mental health care disciplines that could benefit the mental health of an entitled veteran; and
(b) conducting research into mental injuries or diseases suffered by members of the Defence Force or into the mental state generally of such members with the resulting knowledge being applied to the benefit of the health of an entitled veteran; and
(c) improving communication on mental injury or disease health care matters between:
(i) members of the Defence Force who are staff-managers; and
(ii) staff made available under section 196 of the Act; and
(iii) an entitled veteran; and
(d) conducting mental injury or disease health care policy research with the outcomes of that research being applied to the benefit of the health of an entitled veteran.
Note (1): under subsection 80(1) of the Act treatment can be action taken with a view to maintaining a person in physical or mental health.
Note (2): the terms “member”, “Defence Force”, “member of the Defence Force”, are defined in the Act.
“Act” means the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.
“acute care certificate” means a certificate given by a medical practitioner in similar form to the acute care certificate provided for in section 3B of the Health Insurance Act 1973 to the extent that the provisions of that section are applicable.
“admission date” means the date on which an LMO records in writing (including in electronic form) that the LMO has decided an entitled person may participate in the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program.
“admitting LMO”, in relation to an entitled person in the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program, means the LMO who decided an entitled person may participate in the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program.
“allied health provider” means a category of provider mentioned in the Table in 7.1A.1.
"approved provider" means a State, Territory or Local Government, or incorporated organisation, or person, that has entered into an arrangement with the Commission or the Department for the provision of:
(a) a Home Care service (category A); or
(b) a Home Care service (category B); or
(c) a Home Care service (category C); or
(d) a limited VHC-type service;
to an entitled person, whether by the approved provider or a sub-contractor engaged by it.
“approved provider”, in relation to transition care, has the meaning it has in the Aged Care Act 1997.
Note: the Aged Care Act 1997 can be found on COMLAW: http://www.comlaw.gov.au
“attendant care” means assistance with essential daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and eating.
“Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health” and “ACPMH” mean the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health Incorporated.
“Australian Government’s Better Access initiative” means the mental health initiative described in the document entitled “Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists & General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule Initiative” in force on the date in Schedule 1.
“Authorised Representative”, in relation to a medical practice in which a participating LMO is employed, means the person whose name is given as the Authorised Representative for the Practice in the form: “Application for Practice and Provider registration to In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative” lodged with the Department of Human Services.
“Board of Management” means the group of representatives from the Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs and from the University of Queensland, responsible for the management of the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health.
“carer” means a person who provides ongoing care, attention and support for a severely incapacitated or frail person to enable that person to continue to reside in his or her home, and is not limited to a person who is receiving a carer service pension.
“Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health” means the entity in the University of Queensland, Herston Campus, operated by the Board of Management.
“Chief Executive Medicare” has the meaning it has in the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973.
“clinical psychologist” means a psychologist:
(a) who has been given a provider number in respect of being a psychologist; and
(b) who, in the opinion of an employee of, or consultant to, the Department or the Department of Human Services, has appropriate qualifications in clinical psychology and practises as a clinical psychologist.
“CMVH treatment” means action taken with a view to maintaining an entitled veteran in physical or mental health and includes:
(a) training members of the Defence Force in the health care disciplines that could benefit the health of an entitled veteran;
(b) conducting research into injuries or diseases suffered by members of the Defence Force or into the state of health generally of such members with the resulting knowledge being applied to the benefit of the health of an entitled veteran;
(c) improving communication on health care matters between members of the Defence Force who are staff-managers and an entitled veteran; and
(d) conducting health-care policy research with the outcomes of that research being applied to the benefit of the health of an entitled veteran.
Note (1): under subsection 80(1) of the Act treatment can be action taken with a view to maintaining a person in physical or mental health.
Note (2): the terms “member”, “Defence Force”, “member of the Defence Force”, are defined in the Act.
“Commission” means the Repatriation Commission.
"Commission-funded treatment" means treatment for which the Commission may accept financial responsibility.
Note: although the Commission may accept financial responsibility for treatment, actual payment for that treatment is made by the Commonwealth.
“Community Aged Care Package” means “community care” under section 45-3 of the Aged Care Act 1997 in force from time to time (the Act) for which an approved provider under the Act is, on the day community care is provided by the provider to a former prisoner of war or an entitled veteran awarded the Victoria Cross, eligible for community care subsidy under the Act.
Note 1: the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Community Care Subsidy Principles 1997 can be found on COMLAW: http://www.comlaw.gov.au
Note 2: the Community Care Subsidy Principles 1997 may specify care that is/is not community care under the Aged Care Act 1997.
“community nurse” means a registered nurse or enrolled nurse who works in a community nursing setting and who is employed or engaged by a DVA-contracted community nursing provider.
“Community Nurse Care Co-ordination treatment” means
treatment provided by a community nurse to an entitled person under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program, comprised of:
(a) implementing the GPMP for the person under the Program — in particular co-ordinating treatment services under the GPMP; and
(b) liaising, in relation to the GPMP, with the LMO who manages the GPMP for the person.
"community nursing services" means the community nursing services provided to an entitled person, in respect of which the Commission will accept financial responsibility for under Part 7 of the Principles.
“community patient” means a person for whom treatment is provided under sections 87 or 88 of the Act.
“community services” means services provided by Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government authorities or agencies (other than the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or the Repatriation Commission) and other community agencies (whether or not funded in whole or in part by a government).
“compensable patient” means a person who has established, or is likely to establish, an entitlement to damages or compensation from, or has commenced an action for damages against, another party that is not a registered health insurance organisation or a friendly society, for treatment of an injury, disease or other medical condition.
“consumable rehabilitation appliance” means an appliance with a short term function and includes appliances such as continence products.
“Contracted Day Procedure Centre” means premises:
(a) at which any patient is admitted and discharged on the same day for medical, surgical or other treatment; and
(b) operated by a person contracted to the Commission or the Department in respect of treatment provided at the premises to entitled persons;
but does not include any of the following premises:
(c) premises conducted by or on behalf of the State;
(d) a public hospital or health service under the control of a public health organisation;
(e) a private hospital;
(f) a nursing home;
(g) a residential rehabilitation establishment.
“contracted private hospital” means a private hospital with which the Commission has entered into arrangements for the care and welfare of eligible persons.
“convalescent admission” means a short period of medically prescribed convalescence for a entitled person who is recovering from an acute illness or an operation.
“Coordinated Veterans' Care Program” means the treatment program of that name set out in Part 6A of these Principles and in the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers that aims to reduce the need for hospitalisation among Gold Card members of the veteran and defence force community and improve their social well-being. In particular the program has the following main features:
- assessment - a Local Medical Officer (LMO) will assess a person with complex care needs due to chronic disease to see if the person would benefit from the clinical care services under the program and ascertain if the person meets the program’s eligibility criteria;
consent – a person needs to consent to participation in the program and the LMO needs to record that consent. As treatment is being provided it is the LMO’s responsibility to ensure a potential participant in the program understands the nature of the program and that the person’s personal details that are relevant to the person’s treatment under the program may be provided to bodies and individuals such as the Department, the Department of Human Services and health care providers, who have a need for the information in connection with the person’s treatment under the program.
- care plan – the LMO will prepare a comprehensive care plan (GPMP) for a person the LMO admits to the program;
- consultation - the person will be consulted in the preparation of the care plan and its review;
- implementation and co-ordination - the LMO’s practice nurse (or a community nurse via a DVA-contracted community nursing provider, or an aboriginal health worker, if more appropriate) will implement the care plan and, in particular, co-ordinate services under the plan.
“Coordinated Veterans' Care Program treatment” means:
(a) LMO Care Leadership treatment; or
(b) Practice Nurse Care Co-ordination treatment; or
(c) Community Nurse Care Co-ordination treatment; or
(d) Aboriginal Health Worker Care Co-ordination treatment.
"co payment" means an amount of money an approved provider or a sub-contractor is permitted to charge an entitled person, pursuant to an arrangement between the approved provider and the Commission, in respect of a Home Care service (category A).
“country area” means that part of the State outside the metropolitan area of the capital city of that State, determined by the Commission to be a country area under paragraph 80(2)(b) of the Act.
“data repository” means a repository of telemonitoring initiative data controlled by the data repository controller for the purposes of monitoring a telemonitoring initiative participant’s physiological and behavioural data according to the telemonitoring care plan for that participant.
“data repository controller” means a person engaged by the Department to establish and maintain the data repository for the purposes of the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative.
“Day Procedure Centre” means premises that would be Contracted Day Procedure Centre premises if the operator of the premises was contracted to the Commission or the Department.
“Department of Human Services” means the Department administered by the Minister administering the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973.
“dental prosthetist” means a person, however described, authorised under a law of a State or a Territory, to carry out the work of dental prosthetics without a written work order from a dentist or other person who may lawfully give a written work order for that purpose.
“dental specialist” means a qualified dental practitioner who:
(a) is registered with a Dental Board of the State or Territory in which he or she practises; and
(b) has obtained an appropriate higher qualification; and
(c) has been recognised as a specialist in the particular field by:
(i) a Dental Board of the State or Territory in which he or she practises, where the Dental Board of the State or Territory has available a mechanism for such recognition; or
(ii) another appropriate body mutually agreed in advance with the Australian Dental Association Incorporated.
“dentist” means a person registered or licensed as a dentist under a law of a State or Territory that provides for the registration or licensing of dentists but does not include a person so registered or licensed:
(a) whose registration, or licence to practise, as a dentist in any State or Territory has been suspended, or cancelled, following an inquiry relating to his or her conduct; and
(b) who has not, after that suspension or cancellation, again been authorised to register or practise as a dentist in that State or Territory.
“Department” means the Commonwealth as represented by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“Department of Health” means the Commonwealth Department of State, however named, that from time to time is responsible for the administration of the National Health Act 1953 and the Aged Care Act 1997.
"determined condition" means any injury, disease, condition, or symptom of a condition (whether the condition is identifiable or not) that may be treated under and subject to these Principles, pursuant to, and subject to, a determination under section 88A of the Act.
"determined residential care condition" means a determined condition in respect of which Commission-funded treatment is available solely by reason of the Determination No.20/2000 made under section 88A of the Act.
Note: Determination No.20/2000 extends Commission-funded residential care to a non-war caused etc condition of veterans with a White Card ("the determined condition"). Unless that determined condition attracts other Commission-funded treatment pursuant to another determination under section 88A of the Act, it may receive Commission-funded residential care only and not Commission-funded medical treatment or dental treatment etc.
“diabetes educator” means a person who:
(a) is credentialled as a diabetes educator by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA); and
(b) is a member of, or eligible for membership of, the ADEA.
“diabetes educator services” means a program of education about diabetes with an emphasis on self-care, provided by a diabetes educator to a person with diabetes.
“Domestic Assistance” means the service under the Veterans' Home Care Program consisting of:
(a) assistance with domestic chores, including assistance with cleaning, dishwashing, clothes washing and ironing, shopping and bill paying; and
(b) help with meal preparation where this is not the primary focus of the occasion of the service; and
(c) in remote areas, activities such as collecting firewood.
“DVA-contracted community nursing provider” means a community nursing provider who has entered into a Deed of Standing Offer with the Commission to provide community nursing services to entitled persons.
“DVA document” means a document prepared in the Department and available on the Internet at:
http://www.dva.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx
“DVA Telemonitoring Practice Incentive” means the payment of that name referred to in the “Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services” and which is payable once only to the Authorised Representative for a medical practice — where, in the Commission’s opinion, all necessary steps have been taken to enable a participating LMO (and any Practice Nurse of the LMO) employed in the Practice to effectively participate in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative.
“elective surgery” means any non-urgent surgical procedure performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
“eligible person” means a person who is eligible for treatment under section 53, 85, 86, 87, 88 or, subject to the terms of any determination under section 88A of the Act, section 88A of the Act.
“emergency” means a situation where a person requires immediate treatment in circumstances where there is serious threat to the person’s life or health.
"emergency short term home relief" means care provided to an entitled person in his or her home on the following conditions:
(a) the person or the person's carer is unable to provide care due to sudden and unforeseen circumstances; and
(b) the period for which the care is provided does not exceed 72 hours (episode) per emergency except that, if the entitled person requires further care within 24 hours after the end of the previous episode in an emergency, and obtains prior approval, a further episode of care (up to 72 hours) may be provided in that emergency; and
(c) the cumulative period of the care provided to the entitled person did not exceed 216 hours in a Financial year.
Note (1): emergency short term home relief is not relevant to the calculation of residential care amounts for residential care or residential care (respite).
“enrolment day”, in relation to a person, means the date given for a decision by a participating LMO to enrol the person as a participant in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative.
Note: see 6B.2.4 - 6B.2.6.
“enrolled nurse” means a person who is registered under a law of a State or Territory or of the Commonwealth to practise as an enrolled nurse.
“entitled person” means a person who is:
(a) an entitled veteran; or
(b) an entitled widow; or
(c) an entitled widower; or
(d) a child eligible for treatment under section 86 of the Act, but not a child who is eligible only under sub-section 86(5) of the Act; or
(e) subject to the terms of any determination under section 88A of the Act, a former child of a veteran who is eligible for treatment in accordance with a determination under section 88A of the Act; or
Note (1): "child" under the Act has a different meaning to its normal meaning and means a person who has not turned 16 or, in the case of a child receiving full-time education, has not turned 25. Accordingly a child of a veteran ceases to be a child of the veteran upon turning 16 or 25, as the case may be. The child is, therefore, a former child of the veteran.
Note (2): this paragraph is relevant to the provision of limited VHC-type services to former children of veterans receiving the Veterans' Home Care services of Domestic Assistance and Home and Garden Maintenance. See also Determination 7/2001.
(f) subject to the terms of any determination under section 88A of the Act, a dependant of a veteran who is the partner of the veteran.
Note: this paragraph is relevant to the provision of limited VHC-type services to partners of entitled veterans receiving the Veterans' Home Care services of Domestic Assistance and Home and Garden Maintenance. See also Determination 7/2001.
“entitled veteran” means:
(a) a person who is eligible for treatment under section 85 of the Act, but not a person who is eligible only under subsection 85(9) of the Act; or
(b) subject to the terms of any determination under section 88A of the Act, a veteran who is eligible for treatment in accordance with a determination under section 88A of the Act.
Note 1: subsection 85(9) concerns Vietnam veterans requiring urgent treatment for any disease or injury, whether war-caused or not. See also principle 2.5.
Note 2: section 88A of the Act enables the Commission to determine a class of veterans to be eligible for specified treatment.
“entitled widow” or “entitled widower” means a person who is eligible for treatment under subsection 86(1) or 86(2) of the Act or, subject to the terms of any determination under section 88A of the Act, a person who is a widow or widower who is eligible for treatment in accordance with a determination under section 88A of the Act.
Note: section 88A of the Act enables the Commission to determine a class of veterans, or current or former dependants of veterans, to be eligible for specified treatment.
"episode of care" means services provided to a patient by a health provider that:
(a) have been detailed in a patient care plan;
(b) are characterised by continuity of treatment or provision of service;
and an episode of care arises:
(c) every time a service provider sees a new patient; or
(d) where a service provider has not seen a patient for some time and therefore no continuity of service can be provided, and the original patient care plan is no longer applicable or appropriate.
“exceptional case process” means the process whereby the Commission may accept financial liability for community nursing services provided to an entitled person who, due to dependency or complex needs, requires community nursing services which, in the opinion of the Commission, fall significantly outside those referred to in any arrangement between the Commission and a DVA-contracted community nursing provider.
Note: paragraph 3.5.1 (after paragraph (f)) enables the Commission, in exceptional circumstances to, among other things, accept financial liability for fees higher than those set out in an arrangement.
"excluded service" means a service within the scope of the Home and Community Care Program established under the Home and Community Care Act 1985, as amended from time to time, that is commonly known as:
(a) domestic assistance or personal care; or
(b) home maintenance; or
(c) respite care.
Note (1): for the purposes of this definition, "respite care" does not include centre-based day care (also called "day centre respite" or adult day activity centres").
Note (2): the intention is that a Home Care service (category A), Home Care service (category B) and Home Care service (category C) are mutually exclusive.
"exempt amount" means an amount of money not payable by an entitled person in respect of any Home Care service (category A) or Home Care service (category C) provided to the entitled person by an approved provider, because the entitled person is an exempt entitled person.
"exempt entitled person" means, in relation to the provision of any Home Care service (category A) or Home Care service (category C) to an entitled person, an entitled person who:
(a) has a dependent child; or
Note: dependent child is defined in the Act as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act. Note also that under the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 the singular includes the plural meaning a person can have more than one dependent child.
(b) is a person to whom section 52Y of the Act applies; or
Note: the application of section 52Y to a person means the person avoids severe financial hardship.
(c) is in receipt of an income support payment at the maximum rate and does not earn, derive or receive ordinary income exceeding $40 per fortnight; or
(d) in the opinion of the Commission, could suffer severe hardship if the person was to make a payment in respect of the service.
Note: the Commission may allow exemption from payment for a period or until the
occurrence of an event.
“Extended Aged Care at Home Package” means “flexible care” as defined in section 49-3 of the Aged Care Act 1997 in force from time to time (the Act):
(a) for which an approved provider under the Act is, on the day flexible care is provided by the provider to a former prisoner of war or an entitled veteran awarded the Victoria Cross, eligible for flexible care subsidy under the Act; and
(b) comprised of the flexible care described in the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997 as “extended aged care at home” or “extended aged care at home - dementia”.
Note 1: the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997 can be found on COMLAW: http://www.comlaw.gov.au
Note 2: the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997 may specify care for which flexible care subsidy under the Act may be payable.
“Fee Schedule” means a DVA document approved by the Commission or a member thereof, or by the Secretary to the Department, with the words “Fees” and ‘Schedule”, in relation to a category of health care provider, in the title to the document, that sets out the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, the Commission will accept financial responsibility for treatment provided to an entitled person by the health care provider the subject of the document.
Note: the DVA documents called Fee Schedules set out amounts the Department will pay for health care services and can designate whether a service required the prior approval of the Commission before it could be provided.
“flexible care” has the meaning it has in section 49‑3 of the Aged Care Act 1997.
“General information about VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service” means the DVA document of that name in force on the date in Schedule 1 that, among other things, sets out the criteria for eligibility for VVCS.
“Gold Card” means the identification card described as the Repatriation Health Card - For All Conditions and provided to a person who is eligible under the Act for treatment, subject to these Principles, for all injuries or diseases.
“GPMP” means the care plan prepared by an LMO, in accordance with the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers, for an entitled person participating in the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program.
Note: “GPMP” is used in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services (see: paragraph 3.5.1).
“health care provider” means a person who provides treatment to an entitled person in accordance with these Principles.
"high level of residential care" has the meaning given in clause 1 of Schedule 1 to the Aged Care Act 1997.
Note: Clause 1 of Schedule 1 to the Aged Care Act 1997 provides that: ‘high level of residential care means a level of residential care corresponding to a classification level applicable to residential care (other than a classification level applicable only to respite care) that is not lower than the mid-point of all such classification levels that could apply to residential care.
Note: The phrases ‘classification level’ and ‘respite care’ used in this definition are also defined in the Aged Care Act 1997.
Note: This definition does not exclude entitled persons in respite care or convalescent care.
“home” includes:
(a) the premises, or part of the premises, where the person normally resides; or
(b) a share house where the person normally resides;
but does not include:
(c) a hospital; or
(d) the premises where the person is receiving residential care.
Note: ‘residential care’ is also defined in paragraph 1.4.1.”.
"Home and Community Care Program service" means a service of Home and Community Care provided under the auspices of the Home and Community Care Act 1985.
"Home and Garden Maintenance" means the service, under the Veterans' Home Care Program, of maintaining the home, garden or yard of an entitled person, and includes:
(a) assistance with minor maintenance and minor repair of the home (e.g changing light bulbs, minor carpentry, minor painting, replacing tap washers, but not the supply of replacement items), garden or yard to keep the home, garden or yard safe and habitable;
(b) lawn mowing;
but does not mean:
(c) tree felling or tree removing or other major tasks related to a garden or yard;
(d) provision of materials.
Note: recipients of Veterans' Home Care services will be expected to supply materials used in home maintenance, eg replacement light bulbs and tap washers. Service providers will be required to provide any equipment needed, eg garden tools.
"Home Care service (category A) " means the provision of Domestic Assistance, Personal Care, Home and Garden Maintenance or Respite Care to an entitled person pursuant to the Veterans' Home Care Program.
"Home Care service (category B) " means the provision of treatment, pursuant to the Veterans' Home Care Program, that would satisfy the description of a service within the scope of the Home and Community Care Program established under the Home and Community Care Act 1985, as amended from time to time, but does not mean the provision of treatment, pursuant to the Veterans' Home Care Program, that would satisfy the description of an excluded service.
“Home Care service (category C)” means the provision by an approved provider of a service to an entitled person under the Veterans’ Home Care Program that is:
(a) pursuant to an LMO Home Care service (category C) Referral and allocated to the provider by a VHC assessment agency; and
(b) aimed at reducing the person’s social isolation by improving their social networks; and
(c) provided to an entitled person by an approved provider.
"income support payment" has the same meaning it has in the Social Security Act 1991, save that it includes an income support supplement under the Act.
Note: As at 1 January 2001 income support payments were:(a) a social security benefit; (b) a job search allowance; (c) a social security pension; (d) a youth training allowance; (e) a service pension.
“in force on the date in Schedule 1”, in relation to a document, means that on the date in Schedule 1 for the document:
(a) if the document may be approved under the Principles by the Commission or a member thereof or by the Secretary to the Department – the document has been so approved.
Note: an example being the Notes for Local Medical Officers (para.1.4.1).
(b) if the document is prepared on behalf of the Commission or the Department but is not required under the Principles to be approved in a manner in (a) – the document has been approved in a manner in (a).
(c) if the document is not prepared under (b) and is not required under the Principles to be approved in a manner in paragraph (a) – the document exists.
Note: an example being the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (para. 2.4.2A).
“in-home respite” means care provided to a person in his or her own home for a maximum of 196 hours in a Financial year to provide rest or relief from the role of caring:
(a) to the person; or
(b) to the person’s carer.
Note: in-home respite is not relevant to the calculation of residential care amounts for residential care or residential care (respite).
“in-home telemonitoring equipment”, for a telemonitoring initiative participant, means apparatus (including computer software) that, in conjunction with an internet carriage service provided by an ISP Provider, enables the user of the apparatus to utilise the National Broadband Network so that the user may participate in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative, and includes a video-conferencing facility.
“In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative” means the Initiative of that name established by the Department which has the following features:
(a) telemonitoring initiative participants electronically transmit telemonitoring initiative data to the data repository using in-home telemonitoring equipment that utilises the National Broadband Network; and
(b) participating LMOs (or LMOs Practice Nurses) electronically retrieve telemonitoring initiative data from the data repository and analyse it for the purpose of monitoring the health of telemonitoring initiative participants.
“inpatient” means a person formally admitted for treatment by a hospital.
“institution”, in Part 11, includes:
(a) a retirement village;
(b) a cluster of self-care units.
Note: retirement village is defined in section 5M of the Act and the intention is that the power of the Commission in subsection 5M(4) to determine premises have the same function as a retirement village, for the purposes of the Act, applies for the purposes of the Part 11 of the Principles.
“internet carriage service” has the meaning it has in Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
“ISP Provider” means “Internet Service Provider” as defined in Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
"Level A attendance" means a medical attendance described in an item in Level A, Group A1, Schedule of Services, Category 1-Professional Attendances, General Medical Services, of the Medical Benefits Schedule.
"limited VHC-type service" means a service identical to Domestic Assistance or Home and Garden Maintenance, provided, or to be provided, by an approved provider to a person eligible to receive a limited VHC-type service.
Note: eligibility for a limited VHC-type service is conferred by express provisions in Part V of the Act (treatment for certain dependants) or by Determination 7/2001 made under paragraph 88A(1)(b) of theAct (treatment for dependants not eligible for treatment under express provisions in Part V). In general, where an entitled veteran or an entitled widow (er) dies and immediately before his/her death the veteran/widow(er) was receiving Domestic Assistance or Home and Garden Maintenance, or both, then a widow/widower of the deceased veteran or a child or former child of the entitled widow (er) is eligible for a limited VHC-type service ie. a service like Domestic Assistance and/or Home and Garden Maintenance. Other categories of dependants of veterans are also entitled to limited VHC-type services.
“LMO” means a medical practitioner who:
(a) is registered under the Notes for Local Medical Officers as a Local Medical Officer and who treats an entitled person in accordance with the terms, and subject to the conditions, in these Principles and in the “Notes for Local Medical Officers”; and
(b) has been given a provider number, in respect of being a medical practitioner, that has not been suspended or revoked.
Note: a provider number may be a number used by the Department and adopted by the Department of Human Services.
“LMO Care Leadership treatment” means treatment provided by an LMO to an entitled person, under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program, comprised of:
(a) preparing and managing the GPMP for the person under the Program;
(b) overseeing a practice nurse in the implementation of the GPMP — where a practice nurse and not a community nurse or aboriginal health worker or the LMO co-ordinates treatment under the GPMP (Practice Nurse Care Co-ordination treatment);
(c) referring the person to a DVA-contracted community nursing provider for Community Nurse Care Co-ordination treatment or to an aboriginal health worker for Aboriginal Health Worker Care Co-ordination treatment, if appropriate;
(d) performing such other functions under the program that the LMO has under the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers.
“LMO Home Care service (category C) Referral” means treatment comprised of an LMO preparing a written document that refers an entitled person, who the LMO has admitted to and is treating under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program, to a VHC assessment agency for assessment for a Home Care service (category C) under the Veterans’ Home Care Program and which:
(a) is in the form, if any, approved by the Commission; and
(b) is sent to the VHC assessment agency, including as a facsimile message.
"low level of residential care" means a level of residential care that is not a high level of residential care.
“MBS” and “Medicare Benefits Schedule” mean, in the context of amounts payable for treatment under the Principles, a Fee Schedule, and in any other context means:
(a) Schedule 1 to the Health Insurance Act 1973 as substituted by regulations made under subsection 4(2) of that Act; and
(b) Schedule 1A to the Health Insurance Act 1973 as substituted by regulations made under subsection 4(2) of that Act; and
(c) the table of diagnostic imaging services prescribed under subsection 4AA(1) of that Act as in force from time to time.
Note: an example of where “Medicare Benefits Schedule” is used in a non-payment context is paragraph 4.2.1.
“medicare benefit” has the meaning it has in the Health Insurance Act 1973.
“medicare program” has the meaning it has in the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973.
“medical practitioner” has the same meaning as “medical practitioner” has in the Health Insurance Act 1973.
“medical specialist” means a medical practitioner who is recognised as a consultant physician or as a specialist, in the appropriate specialty, for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
“minor procedure” means a surgical procedure that:
(a) does not involve hospitalisation or theatre fees; and
(b) is of a type that is undertaken routinely in doctors’ and specialists’ rooms; and
(c) does not require general anaesthesia; and
(d) is not undertaken in a private day facility centre.
“National Broadband Network” has the meaning it has in the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011.
“NBN” means National Broadband Network.
“NBN wave site” means an area, including part of an area, covered by the NBN.
“neuropsychologist” means a person who:
(a) specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders associated with conditions affecting the brain such as difficulties with memory, learning, attention, language, reading, problem-solving, decision-making or other aspects of behaviour and thinking abilities; and
(b) in the opinion of an employee of, or consultant to, the Department or the Department of Human Services, has appropriate qualifications in clinical neuropsychology and practises as a neuropsychologist.
“nominated residence” means a residence nominated by an entitled person as the place where the person would participate in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative.
“Notes for Allied Health Providers” means the document approved by the Secretary to the Department entitled “Notes for Allied Health Providers”, and in force on the date in Schedule 1, that sets out the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, an allied health provider is to provide treatment to an entitled person in order for the Commission to accept financial responsibility for that treatment.
“Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers” means the document approved by the Commission or a member thereof, or by the Secretary to the Department, entitled “Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program”, and in force on the date in Schedule 1, that sets out the terms on which:
(a) an LMO;
(b) a practice nurse;
(c) a community nurse (via a DVA-contracted community nursing provider); and
(d) an aboriginal health worker;
is to provide treatment to an entitled person under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program in order for the Commission to accept financial responsibility for that treatment.
“Notes for Local Medical Officers” means the document:
(i) approved by the Commission or a member thereof, or by the Secretary to the Department, entitled “Notes for Local Medical Officers”; and
(ii) in force on the date in Schedule 1; and
(iii) that sets out the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, a LMO is to provide treatment to an entitled person in order for the Commission to accept financial responsibility for that treatment, except those parts of the document that deal with the formation of a contractual relationship between a LMO and the Commission or the Department.
Note: the intention is that the treatment provided by a Local Medical Officer (LMO) to an entitled person may be regarded as having been provided in accordance with the Principles and the “Notes for Local Medical Officers” despite the LMO not entering into any arrangement with the Commission or the Department as required by the Notes (without the parts mentioned above omitted). See: paragraph 5.3 of the Notes for Local Medical Officers.
“nursing-home-type care” means the treatment described in paragraph 9.3 of the Principles.
“occupational therapist” means an occupational therapist who has been given a provider number in respect of being an occupational therapist.
“occupational therapist (mental health)” means an occupational therapist:
(a) who has been given a provider number in respect of being an occupational therapist; and
(b) who, in the opinion of an employee of, or consultant to, the Department or the Department of Human Services, has appropriate qualifications in occupational therapy in the area of mental health and who practises as an occupational therapist in the area of mental health.
“Optical Coherence Tomography” means the treatment comprised of a non-contact, non-invasive high resolution imaging technique that provides cross-sectional tomographic images of the ocular microstructure through the thickness of the retina.
"ordinary income" has the same meaning it has under the definition of "ordinary income" in the "Social Security Act 1991" including where terms in that meaning are further defined save that "ordinary income" does not include a payment of Income support supplement.
Note: Income support supplement is described in Part IIIA of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.
“other GP” means a medical practitioner who:
(a) treats an entitled person in accordance with the terms, and subject to the conditions, in these Principles; and
(b) has been given a provider number, in respect of being a medical practitioner, that has not been suspended or revoked.
Note 1: an other GP, unlike an LMO, does not provide treatment in accordance with the Notes for Local Medical Officers.
Note 2: a provider number may be a number used by the Department and adopted by the Department of Human Services
“outpatient service” means a health service or procedure provided by a hospital but not involving admission to the hospital.
“outreach program counselling” means the treatment of that name established by paragraph 7.7A.1 of the Principles — comprised of mental health counselling under the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service provided by an outreach program counsellor to an entitled person eligible for the treatment under the Principles.
“outreach program counsellor” means:
(a) a psychologist who:
(i) is registered as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia; and
(ii) has been given a provider number and is eligible to provide psychological services under the Australian Government’s Better Access initiative; and
(iii) in the opinion of the Commission, has an adequate appreciation of veteran and military culture; or
(b) a social worker (mental health) who:
(i) is accredited as a Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers; and
(ii) has been given a provider number and is eligible to provide social work services under the Australian Government’s Better Access initiative; and
(iii) in the opinion of the Commission, has an adequate appreciation of veteran and military culture;
being a person who does not have a written contract (described as a Deed of Standing Offer) with the Commission or the Department in respect of the provision of a counselling service to an entitled person under the auspices of the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service.
“participating LMO” means an LMO:
(a) whose name is given as a participating GP in the form: “Application for Practice and Provider registration to In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative” lodged with the Department of Human Services; and
(b) who is approved in writing by the Commission to be a participating LMO in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative.
Note: in practice a Commission delegate may grant the approval.
"patient care plan" means a document that is completed by a health provider who provides a service to a patient and that contains details of:
(a) the patient's medical history;
(b) the injury or disease in respect of which the service is to be provided;
(c) the proposed management of the injury or disease; and
(d) an estimation of the duration and frequency of the service to be provided.
“period of care” in relation to the care provided by:
(a) an LMO; or
(b) a practice nurse; or
(c) an aboriginal health worker; or
(d) a community nurse (via a DVA-contracted community nursing provider);
to an entitled person under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program (Program), means the period set out in the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers in relation to the LMO, practice nurse, community nurse or aboriginal health worker, provided that any subsequent period of care by the same LMO is approved by the LMO for the person.
Note 1: the period of care is important for billing purposes. The Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers contain the detail of billing procedures. Generally, for an LMO the period is 3 months commencing on the patient’s admission to the Program and for a community nurse the period is 28 days commencing on date of service. Generally previous care periods with different providers must expire before a new provider can claim for a care period except that, with prior approval, a community nurse can claim for a care period although a previous care period in respect of the relevant entitled person has not expired. A community nurse cannot claim for a period not covered by a period of care provided by an LMO.
Note 2: any period of care by an LMO other than the first period of care commencing on the date the entitled person is admitted to the Program (admission date) or the first period of care as a different LMO for the person (commencing on the date worked out under the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers, is a subsequent period of care by an LMO and the LMO must approve it. By approving it, the periods of care provided by any care co-ordinator (practice nurse, community nurse or aboriginal health worker) during the period of care approved by the LMO are valid periods of care under the Program (sub-periods of care). A sub-period of care may only be provided under the Program during a period of care under the Program by an LMO.
"Personal Care" means the service under the Veterans' Home Care Program consisting of assistance with daily self care tasks, such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, getting in and out of bed, and moving about the house.
“PBS” means the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme authorised under the National Health Act 1953.
“physiotherapy” includes hydrotherapy.
“practice nurse” means a registered nurse or enrolled nurse employed or engaged by an LMO as a nurse in the LMO’s practice.
“Practice Nurse Care Co-ordination treatment” means
treatment provided by a practice nurse to an entitled person, under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program, comprised of:
(a) implementing the GPMP for the person under the Program — in particular co-ordinating treatment services under the GPMP;
(b) liaising, in relation to the GPMP, with the LMO supervising the practice nurse in relation to the implementation of the GPMP;
(c) performing such other functions under the program that the practice nurse has under the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers.
“practitioner” has the same meaning as in section 124B of the Health Insurance Act 1973 in force from time to time.
“Principles” means the Treatment Principles constituted by Instrument No. R8 of 2004.
“prior approval” means that approval for the assumption by the Commission of the whole, or partial, financial responsibility for certain treatment must be given by the Commission before that treatment is commenced or undertaken.
“prisoner of war” includes a person who, as a civilian, was detained by the enemy during World War 2 - but being a civilian within the meaning of “eligible civilian” in the Act.
“private hospital” means premises that have been declared specifically as private hospitals for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
"proscribed amount" means, in relation to the Veterans' Home Care Program:
(a) subject to paragraph (b), an amount of money that if paid by an entitled person would mean the entitled person has paid in respect of a Home Care service (category A) comprised of Domestic Assistance provided to that entitled person by any approved provider or by any sub-contractor during a week or part thereof, an amount exceeding $5;
Note: for the purpose of ascertaining if an amount of money is a proscribed amount where the amount demanded, received or assigned is in respect of a service (s) provided during two or more weeks, without the service (s) being related to the particular week in which the service(s) was delivered, the amount shall be apportioned pro rata to those weeks.
(aa) subject to paragraph (b), an amount of money that if paid by an entitled person would mean the entitled person has paid in respect of a Home Care service (category A) comprised of Home and Garden Maintenance, provided to that entitled person by any approved provider or by any sub-contractor during the relevant period referred to in paragraph 7.3A.3 (2) of the Principles, an amount exceeding $75;
Note (1): the "relevant period" is a period of 12 months.
Note (2): under paragraph 7.3A.8(a) of the Principles, an entitled person cannot be charged more than $5 per hour of service.
(b) an amount of money that if paid by an entitled person receiving a Home Care service (category A) that was similar to a Home and Community Care Program service provided to the person immediately before 1 January 2001 would mean the entitled person has paid in respect of the Home Care service (category A) provided to that entitled person by any approved provider or by any sub-contractor, an amount exceeding the maximum amount the person could have been required to pay over a particular period in respect of the Home and Community Care Program service formerly provided to the person that was similar to the Home Care service (category A) provided to the entitled person;
Note: for the purpose of ascertaining if an amount of money is a proscribed amount where the amount demanded, received or assigned is in respect of a service (s) provided during two or more weeks, without the service (s) being related to the particular week in which the service(s) was delivered, the amount shall be apportioned pro rata to those weeks.
(c) subject to paragraph (b), an amount of money that if paid by an entitled person would mean the entitled person has paid, in respect of a Home Care service (category A) comprised of Personal Care provided to that entitled person by any approved provider or by any sub-contractor during a week or part thereof, an amount exceeding $10;
Note: for the purpose of ascertaining if an amount of money is a proscribed amount where the amount demanded, received or assigned is in respect of a service (s) provided during two or more weeks, without the service (s) being related to the particular week in which the service(s) was delivered, the amount shall be apportioned pro rata to those weeks.
(d) an amount of money in respect of Respite Care provided, or to be provided, by an approved provider or by a subcontractor, to an entitled person;
Note: the intention is that any amount charged for Respite Care is a proscribed amount regardless of whether it would or would not exceed $5 per hour of service.
(e) an amount of money in respect of a Home Care service (category A) provided or to be provided to an entitled person that was a similar service to a Home and Community Care Program service the entitled person received immediately before 1 January 2001 and in respect of which the entitled person had not been required to pay a charge;
Note: the intention is that any amount charged for a service similar to a free former Home and Community Care Program service previously received is a proscribed amount regardless of whether it would or would not exceed $5 per hour of service.
(f) an amount of money, in respect of a Home Care service (category A) provided or to be provided to an entitled person that was a similar service to a Home and Community Care Program service the entitled person received immediately before 1 January 2001, that exceeds any amount of money the entitled person had been required to pay in respect of the Home and Community Care Program service;
Note: It is the intention that any amount charged for a service similar to a Home and Community Care Program service previously received that is over and above the amount the entitled person previously paid in respect of the Home and Community Care Program service is a proscribed amount notwithstanding that the sum of the amounts that could and could not be charged did not exceed $5 per hour of service. The limitation on the maximum amount a person could be required to pay in (a), (aa) and (b) above applies to this situation (maximum amount payable over a period).
(g) an exempt amount;
Note: the intention is that an exempt amount remains a proscribed amount and therefore not chargeable notwithstanding it would or would not exceed $5 per hour of service.
“provider number” means the number:
(a) allocated by:
(i) the Chief Executive Medicare or by his or her delegate or by a person authorised by the Chief Executive Medicare — to a practitioner; or
(ii) the Chief Executive Officer of Medicare Australia under the Medicare Australia Act 1973 — to a practitioner; and
(b) which identifies the practitioner and the places where the practitioner practises his or her profession.
Note: see regulation 2 of the Health Insurance Regulations 1975.
"provision of a Home Care service (category A) to an entitled person by an approved provider" includes the situation where an approved provider engages a sub-contractor to provide a Home Care service (category A) to an entitled person.
"provision of a Home Care service (category B) to an entitled person by the Commission" includes the situation where the Commission engages a sub-contractor to provide a Home Care service (category B) to an entitled person.
“provision of a Home Care service (category C) to an entitled person by an approved provider” includes the situation where an approved provider engages a sub-contractor to provide a Home Care service (category C) to an entitled person.
"psychologist” means a psychologist who has been given a provider number in respect of being a psychologist.
“public hospital” has the same meaning as “recognized hospital” as defined in the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Note: Section 3 of the Health Insurance Act 1973 defines “recognized hospital” in terms of hospitals recognized for the purposes of the Medicare agreement, or hospitals declared by the Minister who administers the Health Insurance Act 1973 to be recognized hospitals.
“RAP National Schedule of Equipment” means the document of that name approved by the Commission or a member thereof, or by the Secretary to the Department, and in force on the date in Schedule 1, that lists the surgical aids and appliances for self-help and rehabilitation available to an entitled person under the Department’s Rehabilitation Appliances Program.
"Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) National Guidelines"
means the document of that name approved by the Commission or a member thereof, or by the Secretary to the Department, and in force on the date in Schedule 1, that assists Commission delegates when determining approval for surgical aids and appliances for self-help and rehabilitation (items) available under the Department’s Rehabilitation Appliances Program and which informs prescribers and suppliers of the processes necessary for an item to be provided to an entitled person.
“registered nurse” means a person who is registered under a law of a State or Territory or of the Commonwealth to practise as a registered nurse.
"Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card" means the identification card entitled 'Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Card' which is provided to a person pursuant to a determination under section 93X of the Act and which entitles the person to pharmaceutical benefits in accordance with the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Note: Part VA of the Act extends pharmaceutical benefits to eligible Commonwealth veterans, eligible allied veterans and to eligible allied mariners.
“Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme” means Part I of the Scheme made under section 91 of the Act.
"residential care" means personal care or nursing care, or both personal care and nursing care, that is provided to a person in a residential care facility in which the person is also provided with:
(a) meals and cleaning services; and
(b) appropriate staffing, furnishings, furniture and equipment for the
provision of that care and accommodation;
but does not include any of the following:
(c) care provided to a person in the person’s private home; or
(d) care provided in a hospital or psychiatric facility; or
(e) care provided in a residential facility that primarily provides care to people who are not frail and aged.
"residential care amount" means:
(a) in relation to an entitled person in a hospital — an amount determined under the Health Insurance Act 1973 to be the resident contribution applicable under that Act to a nursing-home-type patient of that hospital; or
(b) in relation to an entitled person (including a former prisoner of war or a person awarded the Victoria Cross) who is receiving, or received, residential care — an amount equivalent to the maximum daily amount of resident fees worked out under Division 58 of the Aged Care Act 1997.
Note: ‘maximum daily amount of resident fees’ is worked out under section 58-2 of the Aged Care Act 1997.
“residential care facility” means a facility in which residential care is provided to a person.
"residential care (respite)" means residential care provided as respite and includes residential care (28 day respite).
"residential care (28 day respite)" means residential care provided as respite for up to 28 days in a Financial year pursuant to the Veterans' Home Care Program.
"residential care subsidy" means an amount worked out under Chapter 3 of the Aged Care Act 1997 that is payable by the Commonwealth in respect of an entitled person’s residential care according to the classification level determined under Part 2.4 of that Act.
“respite” means a rest, break or relief for a person’s carer or a person caring for himself or herself, from the role of caring.
"Respite Care" means the service under the Veterans' Home Care Program consisting of in-home respite, residential care (28 day respite) or emergency short term home relief.
Note: by virtue of Determination 4/2001 made under section 88A of the Act, "Respite Care" may be applied in respect of all conditions of a white-card holder - not just for war-caused conditions.
“respite admission” means the admission of an entitled person to an institution to provide rest or relief for that person’s carer, or admission to an institution of an entitled person caring for himself or herself.
“revoked Treatment Principles” means the Treatment Principles Instrument No. 5 of 1993.
“Rozelle Hospital” means the institution that was in operation and known as Rozelle Hospital, corner Glover Street and Balmain Road in the Repatriation Hastings (H) Ward immediately before 1 November 2007.
"Rural Enhancement Scheme" means the scheme established by the Commission under subsection 84(1) of the Act, in consultation with the Australian Medical Association Ltd, and which has the following features:
(a) LMOs who provide medical services (services) to entitled persons under the Rural Enhancement Scheme (Scheme) receive higher payments (as set out in the Principles) from the Department for those services than they would receive if the services were not provided under the Scheme;
(b) the Scheme only applies to LMOs who provide medical services to entitled persons at certain rural public hospitals (identified rural hospitals);
(c) an identified rural hospital is a hospital at which a medical practitioner may provide a medical service (service) to the public and receive from the state or territory government that, respectively, administers the state or territory in which the hospital is located, an extra amount (extra amount) for that service.
(d) the extra amount is an amount representing the difference between the amount the State or Territory actually pays the medical practitioner for the service and the fee for the service listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Note: as at 1 January 2005 the Rural Enhancement Scheme only operated in NSW, Vic, SA and WA.
“RPPPs” means the Repatriation Private Patient Principles determined by the Commission under section 90A of the Act.
“social worker (mental health)” means a social worker:
(a) who has been given a provider number in respect of being a social worker; and
(b) who, in the opinion of an employee of, or consultant to, the Department or the Department of Human Services , has appropriate qualifications in social work in the area of mental health and who practises as a social worker in the area of mental health.
“social worker (general)” means a social worker who in the opinion of an employee of, or consultant to, the Department, has appropriate qualifications in social work and practises as a social worker.
“sub-contractor” means, in relation to the Veterans' Home Care Program, a State, Territory or Local Government, or incorporated organisation, or person, engaged by an approved provider or the Commission to provide a Home Care service (category A) or a Home Care service (category B) or a Home Care service (category C) to an entitled person.
“subsequent period of care”, in relation to the provision of care by an LMO to an entitled person, means a period of care that may be provided by the LMO after the expiry of a period of care that has already been provided by the LMO to the entitled person.
Note: a subsequent period of care must be approved by the LMO (see: 6A.3). A period of care by an LMO that is not a “subsequent period of care” would be the first period of care provided to a person under the Coordinated Veterans' Care Program (Program) and the first period of care provided to a person under the Program by a new LMO for the person i.e. where the person has changed LMOs.
“telemonitoring care plan” means a care plan prepared by a participating LMO in conjunction with a telemonitoring initiative participant that:
(a) is based on the electronic transmission of telemonitoring initiative data and;
(b) satisfies the minimum requirements for a GPMP (General Practitioner Management Plan), as if the telemonitoring care plan is to be a GPMP, as set out in the Notes for Coordinated Veterans' Care Program Providers.
“telemonitoring equipment”, for a participating LMO, means computer software and similar tools that will enable the participating LMO (or the LMOs Practice Nurse) to participate in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative.
“telemonitoring initiative data” means physiological and behavioural data about a telemonitoring initiative participant (participant), assembled with reference to the telemonitoring care plan for the participant, and transmitted by the participant, or by a person on the participant’s behalf, to the data repository via the participant’s in-home telemonitoring equipment where it may be electronically retrieved by the participating LMO for the participant or the LMOs Practice Nurse.
“telemonitoring initiative participant” means an entitled person who has in-home telemonitoring equipment installed in the person’s nominated residence and who has been enrolled in the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Initiative by a participating LMO.
“telemonitoring treatment” means treatment provided by a participating LMO (or the LMO’s Practice Nurse), a data repository controller, a contractor or an ISP provider, as the case may be, under Part 6A.
“Tier 1 Hospital” means a hospital in the category described as Tier 1 in 2.1 of the RPPPs.
“transition care” has the meaning it has in section 15.28 of the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997.
Note: the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997 can be found on COMLAW: http://www.comlaw.gov.au
“veteran” has the same meaning as it has in sections 80 and 81 of the Act.
Note: In sections 80 and 81 of the Act, “veteran” means a person:
(a) who is, because of section 7 of the Act, taken to have rendered eligible war service; or
(b) in respect of whom a pension is, or pensions are, payable under subsection 13(6) of the Act, other than a person who is a veteran under paragraph (a) by reason only that the person rendered service as a member of the Forces of a Commonwealth country of a kind described in paragraphs 6(1)(f) or (g) of the Act and was not domiciled in Australia or an external Territory immediately before the person’s appointment or enlistment in those forces.
Section 81 of the Act provides that “veteran” is also to be read as a reference to a “member of the Forces” or a “member of a Peacekeeping Force” as defined in subsection 68(1) of the Act.
“Veterans' Access Payment” means the amount set out in the DVA document entitled “Department of Veterans’ Affairs Fee Schedules for Medical Services”, in force on the date in schedule 1, and called the “Veterans’ Access Payment” — being an additional amount payable by the Department to an LMO for a medical service provided by the LMO to an entitled person in accordance with these Principles and the Notes for Local Medical Officers.
Note: a Veterans’ Access Payment is an amount additional to any amount otherwise payable by the Department to an LMO for a medical service provided by the LMO to an entitled person in accordance with these Principles and the Notes for Local Medical Officers.
“Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service” or “VVCS” means the service funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs that provides free, confidential and Australia-wide mental health counselling and group programs to Australian veterans, peacekeepers, their families, current serving Australian Defence Force members and F-111 workers and their families.
“veteran has been transferred from Rozelle Hospital” means a veteran who was a patient receiving nursing-home-type care at Rozelle Hospital on or after 1 November 2007.
"Veterans' Home Care Program" means:
(a) the treatment program under which the Commission ensures the provision of care and assistance services to entitled persons who are frail, or who have disabilities, with the aim of maintaining the independence of those people, allowing them to remain in their own home for as long as possible, and reducing avoidable illness and injury, and includes the Determination 13/2000 and Principles made under section 90 of the Act and the arrangements in support thereof; and
(b) the treatment program under which the Commission may ensure the provision of social support services to entitled persons referred to the program under a LMO Home Care service (category C) Referral.
“VHC assessment agency” means a person to whom the Commission has delegated its power to:
(a) assess whether a person is suitable for:
(i) a Home Care service (category A); or
(ii) a Home Care service (category B); or
(iii) a Home Care service (category C;
under the Veterans’ Home Care Program; and
(b) allocate a service in (a) to an approved provider.
“Victoria Cross” includes the Victoria Cross for Australia.
“Vietnam veteran” means a veteran who, while a member of the Defence Force, rendered continuous full-time service outside Australia in the area described in item 4 or 8 of Schedule 2 (in column 1) to the Act while that area was an operational area, whether or not the veteran rendered that service:
(a) as a member of a unit of the Defence Force that was allotted for duty; or
(b) as a person who was allotted for duty.
“VVCS criterion” means a criterion in the DVA document “ General information about VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service” under the heading “Who can use VVCS?”, being a criterion that relates to a person who is eligible for treatment under the Act.
Note: the classes of people eligible for treatment under the Act, in this case the treatment of outreach program counselling, have been expanded by the Veterans' Entitlements (Outreach Program Counselling – Extension of Eligibility) Determination 2012.
“VVCS OPC Provider Notes” means the document approved by the Commission or a member thereof, or by the Secretary to the Department, entitled “ Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Services (VVCS) Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC) Provider Notes”, and in force on the date in Schedule 1, that sets out the terms on which an outreach program counsellor is to provide outreach program counselling to an eligible entitled person.
“war-caused” is to be read as including “defence-caused” by force of section 81 of the Act.
"week" means the period from Sunday to Saturday, inclusive.
"White Card" means the identification card described as the Repatriation Health Card - For Specific Conditions and provided to a person who is eligible under the Act for treatment, subject to these Principles and any determination under section 88A of the Act, of one or more of the following conditions:
(a) war-caused injury;
(b) war-caused disease;
(c) malignant neoplasia;
(d) pulmonary tuberculosis;
(e) post traumatic stress disorder;
(f) a determined condition (other than an unidentifiable condition);
and also means a written authorisation issued on behalf of the Commission under subparagraph 2.1.1(a)(iii) and provided to a person who is eligible under the Act for treatment, subject to these Principles and any determination under section 88A of the Act, of the following condition:
(g) unidentifiable condition.
Note: an "unidentifiable condition" is governed by Determination 19/2000
1.4.2 In the Treatment Principles, if a Note follows a principle, paragraph or subparagraph, the Note is taken to be part of that principle, paragraph or subparagraph, as the case may be.