How Veterans Can Access DVA Psychology Sessions at Sureway

Key Points

• DVA funding covers psychology and counselling for veterans, dependents, and eligible family members through Gold, White, and Orange Cards.
• DVA-funded psychological services support conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and social isolation.
• Veterans with a Gold Card, or a White Card that covers mental health, can access DVA psychology sessions with no out-of-pocket gap fee.
• Starting DVA psychology services at Sureway Health & Wellbeing begins with a referral from a GP.

Summary:

DVA-funded psychology gives veterans and their families access to mental health support with no gap fee, provided their practitioner accepts a DVA Gold or White Card. Sureway Health & Wellbeing offers DVA psychology services covering anxiety, trauma, grief, and more, delivered by clinicians who understand the veteran experience. Getting started is simple, with veterans able to speak to their GP for a referral to begin DVA psychology sessions at Sureway.

Outline:

• What is DVA Funding and Who is Eligible?
• What Mental Health Services Are Covered by DVA
• What Does 'No Gap Fee' Mean for DVA-Funded Services?
• How to Access DVA-Funded Psychology at Sureway Health & Wellbeing

Australian veterans and their families give a great deal in service to our country. Many carry the impact of that service with them long after their time in uniform ends. The good news is that support is available, and for many, it comes at no cost. Through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), eligible veterans and their families can access psychology and counselling with no gap fee. 

At Sureway Health & Wellbeing, our team of experienced clinicians works closely with DVA clients, helping them find a path towards better mental health. If you or someone you love has served, this article will walk you through how DVA psychology sessions work and how simple it can be to get started.

What is DVA Funding and Who is Eligible?

DVA funding covers the healthcare, income support, and wellbeing programs provided by the Australian Government for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, along with their eligible families. This funding is delivered mainly through DVA Health Cards, and each card offers a different level of support.

• Gold Card holders receive the highest level of coverage. This card funds medical, dental, and hospital care for any condition, regardless of its connection to military service.
• White Card holders are covered for conditions accepted by DVA as service-related. Importantly, this card also funds mental health support for any veteran, no matter their service history.
• Orange Card holders receive subsidised pharmaceuticals through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, available to certain eligible veterans.

Eligibility for DVA support depends on your individual circumstances and service history. Broadly, you may be eligible if you fall into one of these groups:

•  Veterans who served in the ADF, including those with qualifying or operational service in past conflicts.
• Former serving members, including reservists and cadets, who may be able to claim compensation for a medical condition related to their service.
• Current serving members, who may access medical treatment, rehabilitation, and support connected to their service.
• Family and dependants, including partners, widows and widowers, and children of eligible veterans, who may access financial assistance and other benefits.
• Police officers who served in a declared peacekeeping force may also be eligible for compensation, depending on when their claim was lodged.

There is also a program called Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC), which allows current and former full-time ADF personnel, and some Reservists, to receive treatment for any mental health condition, along with certain cancers and pulmonary tuberculosis, regardless of any connection to service.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, a Veteran Support Officer can guide you through your options.

What Mental Health Services Are Covered by DVA

DVA-funded psychology and counselling services are designed to support the full range of challenges that veterans and their families can face. Through DVA psychology sessions, eligible individuals can receive support for:

• Anxiety and depression
• Stress or anger
• Trauma
• Poor sleep
• Social isolation
• Addiction
• Relationship challenges
• Grief and loss
• Dealing with change

Every person's experience is different, and a good clinician will tailor sessions to what matters most for you. Whatever you are facing, DVA psychology services exist to give you real, practical support..

What Does 'No Gap Fee' Mean for DVA-Funded Services?

One of the biggest barriers to seeking help is cost. That barrier disappears with DVA-funded psychology. When you see a practitioner who accepts the DVA Gold or White Card for direct billing, DVA pays the provider directly. 

This means no invoice, no out-of-pocket payment, and no gap fee for you to cover. You simply attend your sessions and focus on your wellbeing, while the funding is handled behind the scenes..

How to Access DVA-Funded Psychology at Sureway Health & Wellbeing

Getting started with DVA-funded psychological services at Sureway Health & Wellbeing is straightforward. If you hold a Veteran White Card that covers mental health, or a Veteran Gold Card, you are likely eligible for fully funded treatment.

Here is how to begin:

• Book a double appointment with your GP. This gives you enough time to properly discuss your mental health and any support you may need.
• Speak openly with your GP about how you have been feeling and the challenges you are facing.
• Ask for a referral to Sureway Health & Wellbeing. Your GP can refer you directly to our team, so you can begin your DVA-funded psychology sessions with a clinician who understands the veteran experience.

Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Through DVA-funded psychology and counselling, veterans and their families can access the mental health care they deserve, with no gap fee standing in the way. 

At Sureway Health & Wellbeing, our clinicians are ready to walk alongside you, wherever you are on your journey. If you are a veteran, a family member, or someone who supports one, now is the time to take that first step. 

Speak to your GP about a referral, or contact Sureway Health & Wellbeing today to book an appointment or refer someone you care about.

Sureway Health and Wellbeing psychology team provide services across the following locations: Bundoora, Mill Park, Thomastown, Reservoir, Greensborough, Watsonia, Eltham, Diamond Valley, North Eastern Melbourne and via telehealth Australia wide.